Knowledge, attitude, and preventive practices of infectious diseases among student-athletes in selected senior high schools in Ghana

Abstract

Although outbreaks of infectious diseases are uncommon, specifically in sports, effective information distribution may aid in managing difficult conditions and enhance preparedness for future pandemics. Hence, the study assessed the knowledge, attitude, and preventive practices of infectious diseases among student-athletes selected senior high schools (SHS) in Ghana. The descriptive cross-sectional study recruited 405 SHS student-athletes (160 males, 245 females) with a mean age of 17.86 ± 2.19. Modified and re-validated knowledge, attitude and practice questionnaire was administered. 63.0% had adequate knowledge about infectious diseases, 54.1% had a positive attitude towards infectious disease prevention, and 59.5% had good practice towards infectious diseases. 62.0% opined that viruses, 27.2% bacteria, 6.9% parasites, and 4.0% fungus cause infectious diseases. Participants’ knowledge significantly correlated with attitudes and prevention practices (p=.001). Attitudes positively correlated significantly with knowledge and preventive practice (p=.001). Participants' demographic attributes positively correlated with knowledge, attitude and preventive practices of infectious diseases. Younger student–athletes had adequate knowledge, positive attitude and good preventive practice of infectious diseases compared to older colleagues. Students-athletes from lesser household sizes, dormitory sizes and class sizes had adequate knowledge, positive attitudes and good preventive practices for infectious diseases. Student-athletes knowledge influences their attitude and preventive practice of infectious disease positively. SHS sports teachers should be exposed to sustainable infection preventive programmes to foster, promote and monitor existing infectious disease levels among the student-athletes.