Senior High School Students' Perception on the Use of Masks to Prevent COVID-19 in Ghana

Abstract

The present study examines the perception of Senior High School (SHS) students regarding the coronavirus and the use of masks to prevent the disease. Semi-structured interviews were employed for data collection with a purposive sample of twenty-four (24) SHS students, comprising twelve (12) males and twelve (12) females aged sixteen to nineteen (16-19) years. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the qualitative data gathered. Six (6) themes emerged, centering on SHS students' perception of the coronavirus, wearing of masks, health effects, and other general ideas on the pandemic. The main themes were the mode of spread, symptoms, prevention, reasons for wearing masks, the health effects of wearing masks, and other issues. The findings were discussed in line with recent literature, and recommendations were made to stakeholders for policy direction. In sum, the students generally follow the safety protocols instituted by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the government to stay safe and protected, as they are aware of the adverse effects of contracting the disease, which include death and liver damage even upon recovery.