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Understanding Knowledge and Behaviors Related to CoViD–19 Epidemic in Italian Undergraduate Students: The EPICO Study

Author

Listed:
  • Francesca Gallè

    (Department of Movement Sciences and Wellbeing, University of Naples “Parthenope”, Via Medina n. 40, 80133 Naples, Italy)

  • Elita Anna Sabella

    (Inter-University Research Centre “Population, Environment and Health”, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Piazza Umberto I, 1, 70121 Bari, Italy)

  • Giovanna Da Molin

    (Inter-University Research Centre “Population, Environment and Health”, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Piazza Umberto I, 1, 70121 Bari, Italy)

  • Osvalda De Giglio

    (Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Piazza G. Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy)

  • Giuseppina Caggiano

    (Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Piazza G. Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy)

  • Valeria Di Onofrio

    (Department of Sciences and Technologies, University of Naples “Parthenope”, Business District, Block C4, 80143 Naples, Italy)

  • Stefano Ferracuti

    (Department of Human Neurosciences, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy)

  • Maria Teresa Montagna

    (Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Piazza G. Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy)

  • Giorgio Liguori

    (Department of Movement Sciences and Wellbeing, University of Naples “Parthenope”, Via Medina n. 40, 80133 Naples, Italy)

  • Giovanni Battista Orsi

    (Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy)

  • Christian Napoli

    (Department of Medical Surgical Sciences and Translational Medicine, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Via di Grottarossa 1035/1039, 00189 Rome, Italy)

Abstract

Background: On February 2020, the novel coronavirus (2019−nCoV) epidemic began in Italy. In order to contain the spread of the virus, the Italian government adopted emergency measures nationwide, including closure of schools and universities, workplaces and subsequently lockdown. This survey was carried out among Italian undergraduates to explore their level of knowledge about the epidemic and the behaviors they adopted during the lockdown. Methods: An electronic questionnaire was administered to the students attending three Italian universities. Results: A good level of knowledge about the epidemic and its control was registered in the sample, mainly among students attending life sciences degree courses. The majority of the students did not modify their diet and smoking habits, while a great part of the sample reported a decrease in physical activity (PA). Conclusions: Students from life sciences courses showed a higher awareness regarding the infection and the control measures. The lockdown caused an important reduction of PA. Preventive interventions should transform the restrictive measures also as an opportunity to improve lifestyle.

Suggested Citation

  • Francesca Gallè & Elita Anna Sabella & Giovanna Da Molin & Osvalda De Giglio & Giuseppina Caggiano & Valeria Di Onofrio & Stefano Ferracuti & Maria Teresa Montagna & Giorgio Liguori & Giovanni Battist, 2020. "Understanding Knowledge and Behaviors Related to CoViD–19 Epidemic in Italian Undergraduate Students: The EPICO Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-11, May.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:10:p:3481-:d:359089
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Albertas Skurvydas & Ausra Lisinskiene & Daiva Majauskiene & Dovile Valanciene & Ruta Dadeliene & Natalja Istomina & Asta Sarkauskiene, 2022. "The Effect of COVID-19 Restrictions on Changes in Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity Was “A Double-Edged Sword”: It Improved for Some and Worsened for Others," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-13, August.
    2. Francesca Gallè & Elita Anna Sabella & Lavinia Bianco & Mario Maninchedda & Benedetta Barchielli & Fabrizio Liguori & Giovanna Da Molin & Giorgio Liguori & Giovanni Battista Orsi & Stefano Ferracuti &, 2022. "How the COVID-19 Pandemic Has Impacted Daily Life? Assessing the Use of Web Resources for Recreational Activities in the Italian Adult Population," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(22), pages 1-13, November.
    3. Krishna Regmi & Cho Mar Lwin, 2021. "Factors Associated with the Implementation of Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions for Reducing Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-27, April.
    4. Raquel Lara & Martha Fernández-Daza & Sara Zabarain-Cogollo & María Angustias Olivencia-Carrión & Manuel Jiménez-Torres & María Demelza Olivencia-Carrión & Adelaida Ogallar-Blanco & Débora Godoy-Izqui, 2021. "Active Coping and Anxiety Symptoms during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Spanish Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-17, August.
    5. Firas Mourad & Sonia Mangialavori & Antonella Delle Fave, 2022. "Resilience and Experience of the COVID-19 Pandemic among Italian University Students: A Mixed-Method Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(18), pages 1-16, September.
    6. Verónica Violant-Holz & M. Gloria Gallego-Jiménez & Carina S. González-González & Sarah Muñoz-Violant & Manuel José Rodríguez & Oriol Sansano-Nadal & Myriam Guerra-Balic, 2020. "Psychological Health and Physical Activity Levels during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(24), pages 1-19, December.
    7. Francesca Gallè & Elita Anna Sabella & Paolo Roma & Stefano Ferracuti & Giovanna Da Molin & Giusy Diella & Maria Teresa Montagna & Giovanni Battista Orsi & Giorgio Liguori & Christian Napoli, 2021. "Knowledge and Lifestyle Behaviors Related to COVID-19 Pandemic in People over 65 Years Old from Southern Italy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(20), pages 1-11, October.
    8. Kirsten J. M. van Hooijdonk & Milagros Rubio & Sterre S. H. Simons & Tirza H. J. van Noorden & Maartje Luijten & Sabine A. E. Geurts & Jacqueline M. Vink, 2022. "Student-, Study- and COVID-19-Related Predictors of Students’ Smoking, Binge Drinking and Cannabis Use before and during the Initial COVID-19 Lockdown in The Netherlands," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(2), pages 1-15, January.
    9. Aurélie Goncalves & Sarah Le Vigouroux & Elodie Charbonnier, 2021. "University Students’ Lifestyle Behaviors during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Four-Wave Longitudinal Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(17), pages 1-9, August.
    10. Osvalda De Giglio & Francesco Triggiano & Francesca Apollonio & Giusy Diella & Fabrizio Fasano & Pasquale Stefanizzi & Marco Lopuzzo & Silvia Brigida & Carla Calia & Chrysovalentinos Pousis & Angelo M, 2021. "Potential Use of Untreated Wastewater for Assessing COVID-19 Trends in Southern Italy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-14, September.
    11. Carmela Protano & Federica Valeriani & Daniela Marotta & Annalisa Bargellini & Aida Bianco & Giuseppina Caggiano & Maria Eugenia Colucci & Maria Anna Coniglio & Laura Dallolio & Osvalda De Giglio & Ga, 2021. "Assessing Undergraduates’ Perception of Risks Related to Body Art in Italy: The SUPeRBA Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(17), pages 1-12, September.
    12. Francesca Gallè & Elita Anna Sabella & Stefano Ferracuti & Osvalda De Giglio & Giuseppina Caggiano & Carmela Protano & Federica Valeriani & Eduardo Alfonso Parisi & Giuliana Valerio & Giorgio Liguori , 2020. "Sedentary Behaviors and Physical Activity of Italian Undergraduate Students during Lockdown at the Time of CoViD−19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-11, August.
    13. Shoji Konda & Issei Ogasawara & Kazuki Fujita & Chisa Aoyama & Teruki Yokoyama & Takuya Magome & Chen Yulong & Ken Hashizume & Tomoyuki Matsuo & Ken Nakata, 2022. "Variability in Physical Inactivity Responses of University Students during COVID-19 Pandemic: A Monitoring of Daily Step Counts Using a Smartphone Application," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(4), pages 1-12, February.
    14. Muhammad Muslih & Henny Dwi Susanti & Yohanes Andy Rias & Min-Huey Chung, 2021. "Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Indonesian Residents toward COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-16, April.

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