Gender differences in knowledge about COVID-19 among youth in post-secondary education and training institutions in South Africa

Abstract

Evidence shows that improved understanding of knowledge about COVID-19 transmission, symptoms, and prevention is crucial for effective epidemic preparedness and management. Given gender differences in vulnerability and the different ways that young people responded to the pandemic, this paper investigated gender differences in COVID-19-related knowledge among youth in post-secondary education and training institutions in South Africa. Data from 6,681 respondents showed that the youth correctly answered 65.1% questions about COVID-19. The respondents’ overall knowledge of COVID-19 transmission (82.6%) and preventive practices (75.6%) was relatively high, compared to their knowledge about symptoms (57.5%). Females (65.8%) were marginally more knowledgeable than males (64.3%), and the difference was statistically significant (p = 0.021). The knowledge levels differed by gender, with females more knowledgeable about COVID-19 than males. The findings suggest that information and awareness campaigns aimed at improving public health knowledge should be tailored, taking gender, age, and other sociodemographic variables into consideration.