APPROACH TO PREVENTİON MEASURES TAKEN DURİNG THE COVİD-19 PANDEMİC PROCESS: THE CASE OF VOCATİONAL SCHOOL OF HEALTH

Abstract

Purpose: In this study, the attitudes and behaviors of students between the ages of 18-40 who study at the health programs of Cappadocia University Cappadocia Vocational School, and the measures taken during the pandemic process and immunization were investigated. Method: The research was planned as a cross-sectional study in order to determine the views of young people on social measures taken during the Covid-19 pandemic process. A questionnaire was applied to 257 students who accepted to participate in the study between November 2020 and February 2021. Survey form consists of 37 questions to determine whether Covid 19 infection has been passed before and to question their attitudes and behaviors regarding the measures to be followed to protect against Covid 19. The number, percentage, average, and standard deviation criteria were evaluated using the SPSS 21 program. Results: The average age of the participants is 21.17 (min = 18, max = 38, sd = 2.81); 63.4% (n = 163) of them are female, 36.6% (n = 94) of them are male. The students were asked if they had a PCR test for the diagnosis of Covid 19; 27.6% (n = 71) stated that they had it done, and 35.2% (n = 25) of them stated that the test result was positive. According to the PCR test results in the sample group, the prevalence of Covid 19 was found to be 9.7%. Almost all of the participants (98.8%) stated that they pay attention to the use of masks and that they us e disposable surgical masks (96.9%). Among the participants who frequently repeat hand washing (87.2%) and rarely use public transportation (52.7%), the rate of participation in social organizations is 46.5%.. The rate of those who think that they comply with the pandemic measures is 61.9%, and those who are undecided about the adequacy of the measures and those who think that the society does not comply with the rules are the same (40.9%). 57.6% of the participants stated that they have sufficient knowledge about Covid-19. Participants who don’t intend to get Covid-19 vaccine (39.7%); finding the vaccine unsafe (12.8%) and worrying about its side effects (3.9%) are the most frequently cited reasons. Conclusion: As asymptomatic carriers, especially young people have a responsibility against the risk group in the society. In line with the data obtained, the compliance and awareness of the students studying in health programs were found to be positive at high rates. Participating students have expectations regarding the education of society towards the pandemic. In addition, it can be concluded that the vaccine rejection rate was determined to be significant because of anxiety and lack of information. Therefore, society needs more educational activities on prevention and vaccination.