Students’ Views Towards SARS-CoV-2 Mass Asymptomatic Testing, Social Distancing and Self-Isolation in a University Setting during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study

• DOI: 10.20944/preprints202101.0399.v1
• Publication Date: 2021-01-20T15:28:49Z
• Authors: Holly Blake; Holly Knight; Ru Jia; Jessica Corner; Joanne R Morling; Chris Denning; Jonathan K Ball; Kirsty Bolton; Grazziela Figeuredo; David Morris; Patrick Tighe; Armando Villalon; Kieran Ayling; Kavita Vedhara
• Keywords: Social distance; Social Isolation; UCLA Loneliness Scale; Worry; Isolation

We aimed to explore university students’ perceptions and experiences of SARS-CoV-2 mass asymptomatic testing, social distancing self-isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic. This qualitative study comprised four rapid online focus groups conducted at a higher education institution in England high alert (tier 2) national restrictions. Data were analysed thematically. Participants purposively sampled students (n = 25) representing range gender, age, living circumstances (on/off campus) testing/self-isolation experiences. Six themes with 16 sub-themes emerged from analysis data: ‘Term-time Experiences’, ‘Risk Perception Worry’, ‘Engagement Protective Behaviours’, ‘Openness Testing’, ‘Barriers Testing’ ‘General Wellbeing’. Students described feeling safe on campus, believed most their peers are adherent protective behaviours positive towards testing settings. University communications about need be timely presented more inclusive way reach who currently feel marginalised. Barriers engagement primarily associated fear mental health impacts self-isolation, including worry how they will cope, anxiety, low mood, guilt relating impact others loneliness. Loneliness could mitigated through increased intra-university establishment COVID-risk activities help build enhance support networks. These findings particularly pertinent context programmes being implemented educational settings numbers required self-isolate. Universities determine needs prepare for long-term pandemic student welfare services.