Objective: To explore the knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding COVID-19 in university affiliates to inform future COVID-19 policies and practices.
Participants: Undergraduate students, graduate students and university employees at a large public university.
Methods: Semi-structured focus groups and interviews were conducted between December 2020 and January 2021. Data were analyzed via inductive thematic analysis.
Results: Analysis of data from the 36 participants generated five themes: COVID-19 knowledge, stress and coping, trust, decision-making, and institutional feedback. Misunderstanding of COVID-19 preventive behaviors was common, which appeared to compound high levels of stress and presented an educational opportunity. University investment in an asymptomatic testing program was reported to increase perceived safety.
Conclusions: Participants' experiences with a large university's COVID-19 response suggest a desire for consistent and transparent communication and an opportunity for institutions to examine the effectiveness of their communication strategies, public health protocols, and mechanisms for assessing and mitigating stress.
Keywords: COVID-19; decision-making; higher educational institutions; qualitative studies; university students.