EMAN RESEARCH PUBLISHING | <p>COVID-19 Infection Patterns and Preventive Behaviors at Babylon University</p>

MicroBio Pharmaceuticals and Pharmacology | Online ISSN 2209-2161

RESEARCH ARTICLE (Open Access)

COVID-19 Infection Patterns and Preventive Behaviors at Babylon University

Thekra Abdulaali Abed ¹, Anwar A. Abdullah ^1*, Ali Naser Abdulhussein ², Anwar Kadhim AL-saffar ¹, Hussein Kadhim Hussein ²,Sinan Adnan Muhsin ³, Nagham Shaheed Mahmood ¹

+ Author Affiliations

Microbial Bioactives 7 (1) 1-6 https://doi.org/10.25163/microbbioacts.719741

Submitted: 29 April 2024 Revised: 06 May 2024 Published: 10 May 2024

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, has significantly impacted global health and socioeconomic systems. Understanding public attitudes, behaviors, and compliance with health mandates is crucial for effective pandemic management, especially in countries like Iraq, where the healthcare system faces unique challenges due to infrastructural inadequacies and public mistrust. Methods: A survey of 510 respondents, including academic staff and university students at Babylon University, was conducted between December 2020 and April 2021. The questionnaire, incorporating references from recent COVID-19 research, assessed demographics, COVID-19 infection patterns, and preventive behaviors. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20, with statistical significance evaluated at a p-value of ≤ 0.05. Results: The survey revealed a higher incidence of COVID-19 among individuals aged 10-29 years and among students (65.69%) compared to teaching staff (34.31%). Higher education correlated with better protective behaviors. Most participants had a normal BMI (49.61%) and blood group A+ (39.22%). Only 11.57% required hospitalization, and 51.76% experienced moderate symptoms. Non-use of multivitamins (63.73%) and anticoagulants (83.53%) was prevalent. Conclusion: The study highlights the need for targeted public health interventions to improve preventive practices among younger populations in educational settings. Addressing misinformation and enhancing public trust in health authorities are essential for managing the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic effectively. The findings underscore the importance of community-level adoption of protective measures to support overburdened healthcare systems like Iraq's.

Keywords: COVID-19, Iraq, university students, preventive measures, public health

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