Analysis of Infectious Diseases Cases Escalation among Tertiary Students:

TInfectious disease pandemics, such as influenza and COVID-19, have raised significant global concern and anxiety. The transmission of infectious diseases among students and staff in higher education institutions has also shown a concerning trend. Consequently, the primary objective of this study is to identify the factors contributing to the occurrence of infectious disease cases among students using a logistic regression analysis. A total of 62 students from a selected higher learning institution who tested positive for the COVID-19 infectious disease were selected as respondents. The findings revealed that most students adhered to the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) with a high compliance rate, ranging from 61% to 95%. However, the lifestyle practices of students while residing in college and attending classes were found to be unhealthy, with the majority exhibiting poor habits ranging from 58% to 97%. Besides, the factors influencing the rise in infectious disease cases include the time taken by students to report symptoms to the health unit, the number of self-tests conducted, and the frequency of student participation in college activities. Additionally, the present study found that the surge in cases was most pronounced during the study week and examination period, with many of the cases being attributed to sporadic transmission. Considering these findings, it is imperative that the monitoring of SOP compliance among students is enhanced, particularly during periods when an increase in cases is anticipated. Furthermore, it is recommended that specific guidelines on SOP adherence and the procedures that students must follow be established to mitigate the spread of infectious diseases.