University Students’ Risk Perception, Protective Measures, and General Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Turkey

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate university students’ risk perception, protective measures, and general health during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Turkey. METHODS: The research sample consisted of 1920 university students. The data were collected through an online questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 56.6% of the students considered their risk of being infected with the COVID-19. The number of measures taken by students was lower than expected. Students’ increased anxiety perceived individual risk level, insufficient social support perceptions, and their perceptions of the current pandemic more serious than previous epidemics affect the number of measures they take. Students had sleep and study problems, and suicidal thoughts in the social isolation period. Sex, studying in medicine, anxiety related to COVID-19, feeling unconfident in coping with the pandemic, social support, were determined to be risk factors regarding general health, sleep and study problems, and suicidal thoughts. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study showed that the measures taken by university students were insufficient and the precautions were affected by many factors. It was determined that their health was adversely affected by the pandemic. University administrations and decision-makers should consider the risk factors to improve the students’ experiences in such pandemics and emergencies.