KAP Study on Social Distancing and Utility Sharing among Students of Bhadrak Autonomous College, Odisha, India during the First COVID-19 Wave: Implications for Policy Decisions in Subsequent Waves

Abstract

been closed since March 2020 till January 2021 and could just be reopened for higher classes for only three months
in phases till April 2021. This has precipitated an unprecedented crisis in the lives of students and of educational
organizations and institutions and the biggest headache for the ministries of higher education and the HRD ministry too.
We conducted a KAP survey during the first COVID wave on March to May 2020 to analyze the risk factors involved
in case of reopening of educational institutions. Accordingly we discuss the implications for policy decisions for such a
highly sensitive group based on a study on over 500 students of the semi-urban locality of Bhadrak in Odisha, India. A
questionnaire was prepared keeping in view the objectives of such a study by randomly picking students on campus,
both boarders and day scholars, to collect the KAP-data from among the nearly 6000 students of the College. We find
that most of the students are vulnerable to catch an infection and have the highest potential to spread it to many in no
time. The appropriate measures before the final opening of schools and colleges would be (a) to have enough space for
ensuring social distancing (b) sensitization and awareness drives through all means among students to inhibit spread of
the infection and (c) the required increase in manpower to ensure the successful implementation of the above two.