EFFECT OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON SOCIAL RELATIONSHIP AMONG STUDENTS OF NASARAWA STATE UNIVERSITY, KEFFI.

ABSTRACT

This study was carried out to examine the effect of covid-19 pandemic on social relationship among students of Nasarawa State University, Keffi. Specifically, the study was aimed at examining the extent to which covid-19 pandemic affected peer-to-peer close contact of students in Nasarawa State University, Keffi, evaluate the extent to which the imposed social distancing preventive measure disrupted social activities and events in Nasarawa State University, Keffi, and investigate if Covid-19 affected peer-to-peer visitation of students in Nasarawa State University, Keffi. The study employed the survey descriptive research design. A total of 259 responses were validated from the survey. From the responses obtained and analysed, the findings revealed that the Covid-19 pandemic had a significant negative effect on peer-to-peer close contact of students in Nasarawa State University, Keffi. Also, the imposed social distancing preventive measure disrupted social activities and events in Nasarawa State University, Keffi to a high extent. The findings further revealed that the Covid-19 pandemic did negatively affect peer-to-peer visitation of students in Nasarawa State University, Keffi. The study therefore recommend that since the COVID-19 pandemic is negatively affecting social relationships of students, which could ultimately lead to negative health implications. Decision-makers are advised to provide educational campaigns that improve the sociological health of the students and informing them about contemporary alternative communication media (telecommunication). This is expected to lead to better social relationships and communication across the whole population, enabling people to cope better with the pandemic and to maintain societal well-being and productivity. Also, government of Nigeria should make sure that all students receive the covid-19 vaccine and also abide by the safety measures put in place to curb the spread of the virus.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic gripped the world with a shock, thereby overwhelming the health system of most nations. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the novel human coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, which began in Wuhan, China on December 8, 2019, a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on January 30, 2020 (WHO, 2020). With over seven million cases globally as of June 7 (2020): United States (over two million cases), Brazil (over 700,000 cases), Russia (over 500,000 cases), and in Africa, South Africa (over 54,000 cases) and Egypt (over 38,000 cases) bearing the greater brunt as of 9 April 2020 (WHO 2020). Following this WHO declaration, the Coronavirus Preparedness Group was constituted on January 31 in Nigeria. According to WHO, Nigeria was one of the 13 high-risk African countries with respect to the spread of COVID-19. however, Nigeria is also among the vulnerable African nations, given the weak state of the healthcare system (Marbot, 2020).

Coronaviruses are zoonotic viruses that cause moderate respiratory tract infections as well as lethal pneumonia in humans, according to researchers. (Su, S., Wong, G., and others, 2016) Human coronaviruses (HCoV) were first discovered in the noses of patients with the common cold in the 1960s (Felman A 2020). The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention identified seven coronaviruses that can affect people as: 229E (alpha coronavirus), NL63 (alpha coronavirus), OC43 (beta coronavirus), HKU1 (beta coronavirus), MERS-CoV (the beta coronavirus that causes Middle East respiratory syndrome), SARS-CoV (the beta coronavirus that causes severe acute respiratory syndrome) and SARS-CoV-2 (the novel coronavirus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19).

Sociologically, the pandemic has caused global social disruption by limiting global social relations. The idea of “social distancing” negates regular social interaction, which is the bedrock of human society (Amzat and Razum, 2014). the contagious disease of global health importance also disrupted the usual norms of close physical contacts since the disease transmits through contact with individuals who already contracted the disease.

There are many definitions of social relationship. Commonly it is defined as a process in which activities are included; these activities satisfy special needs of man such as his need for belonging to something, his need of love, self-estimation and success. Moreover, it is used as a reference to the ultimate end of full filing these human needs. On the other hand, it is defined as a group of characteristics of static relative readiness which distinguish one individual from the other in the process of social interaction; it simply reveals the hidden unconscious basic mental process such as signs, body language and even verbal expressions. However, the researchers believe that social interaction between the individuals and their social environment varying from one individual to another according to the situation itself; some individuals react positively by cooperation and flexibility in dealing with situation; however, others react negatively. Negative forms may include competition conflict.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The outbreak of covid-19 has resulted to many effect on the educational system/plans of Nigeria Tertiary Institutions. Students studying in all over the globe traveled back to their countries due to the covid-19 pandemic. This pandemic affected countries negatively in different ways because students studying abroad were discouraged to continue their studies and many planning to study abroad could not achieve their plans because countries placed a ban on inter-country travel.

The Academic calendar of higher institutions in Nigeria were disrupted due to covid-19. Ogunode (2020) observed that the closure of all educational institutions from primary schools to the higher institutions would affect the students’ academic plans and programme.

Many conferences on different programme that are planned for the first and second quarter of 2020 was canceled due to the pandemic. New discovery and new findings in the educational sectors for this period were reduced because many higher institutions in Nigeria have not fully integrate ICT into teaching and learning programme across the country. According to Wikipedia (2020) the 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic has affected educational systems worldwide, leading to the widespread closures of schools and universities. As at 3 April 2020, over 421 million learners were out of school due to school closures in response to covid-19. According to UNESCO monitoring, over 200 countries implemented nationwide closures, impacting about 98% of the world's student population on 23 March 2020.

The Covid-19 outbreak affected much more than the economic sectors of Nigeria as social relationship of citizens were affected as well. The measures taken against the spread of the virus such as the social distancing presented the dangers of increasing social rejection across the Nation, growing impersonality and individualism, and the loss of a sense of community. It negatively affected learning and growth, and it prevented people from effectively socializing, which is a fundamental human need. Further more, the measures carried a strong psychological message, which is the fear of others, along with the idea that others are potential carriers of deadly germs and life‐threatening diseases. The alarming rate of contamination and death from the virus contributed to establishing more panic, and even paranoia among many.

COVID-19 also deglobalized the world in terms of inter-state and inter-country human migration with common boundaries and airports shutdown, social events (sports, festivals and the like) postponed indefinitely. The "stay-at-home" campaign and proscription of social gatherings which limited social interaction.

1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

This study aims at investigating the effect of covid-19 pandemic on social relationship among students of Nasarawa State University, Keffi., to achieve this, the following objectives were formulated;

1. Examine the extent to which covid-19 pandemic affected peer-to-peer close contact of students in Nasarawa State University, Keffi.

2. Evaluate the extent to which the imposed social distancing preventive measure disrupted social activities and events in Nasarawa State University, Keffi.

3. Investigate if Covid-19 affected peer-to-peer visitation of students in Nasarawa State University, Keffi.

1.4 RESEARCH HYPOTHESES

H01: Covid-19 pandemic had no significant negative effect on peer-to-peer close contact of students in Nasarawa State University, Keffi.

H02: The imposed social distancing preventive measure disrupted social activities and events in Nasarawa State University, Keffi to a low extent.

H03: Covid-19 pandemic did not negatively affect peer-to-peer visitation of students in Nasarawa State University, Keffi.

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This study will expose the general public, management and students of Tertiary institutions in Nigeria the extent to which covid-19 pandemic affected peer-to-peer close contact of students in Universities. This study will also bring to their notice the extent to which the imposed social distancing preventive measure disrupted social activities and events in Universities. Further more, this study will enlighten the general public on how Covid-19 affected peer-to-peer visitation of students in in Universities due to the safety measures put in place by the government. This study will further serve as a reference piece for further studies.

1.6 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

This study This study will expose the extent to which covid-19 pandemic affected peer-to-peer close contact of students in Nasarawa State University, Keffi. This study will also evaluate the extent to which the imposed social distancing preventive measure disrupted social activities and events in Nasarawa State University, Keffi. Further more, this study will investigate if Covid-19 affected peer-to-peer visitation of students in Nasarawa State University, Keffi. This study shall be delimited to Students of Nasarawa State University, Keffi.

1.7 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

In the course of carrying out this study, the researcher experienced some constrains which include time constrain, financial constrain, language barriers, and attitude of the respondents.

1.8 DEFINITIONS OF TERMS

Covid-19: COVID-19 is a disease caused by a new strain of coronavirus. 'CO' stands for corona, 'VI' for virus, and 'D' for disease. Formerly, this disease was referred to as '2019 novel coronavirus' or '2019-nCoV’.