The return to the university during the pandemic: Perspectives within a public school of midwifery

Abstract

Introduction: The coronavirus pandemic has restricted various activities, including those carried out by universities, making it necessary to know the student's conditions to evaluate their reintegration. Objective: To determine the perspective of the midwifery students regarding the return of theoretical and practical university activities in a pandemic context. Methods: Cross-sectional analytical study involving 115 midwifery students, between second and fifth year, from a public university in Lima. The proportion of students who agree with the return to theoretical and practical activities, the resources they have, and their family situation were evaluated. Adjusted associations were evaluated using Poisson regression. Results: 58.26% [95%CI: 48.93-67.03%] agree with the return to virtual theoretical activities and 6.09% [95%CI: 2.89-12.34%] to the hospital practices. Only 66.09% have internet, mobile device, and a study environment at home. Those who did not agree with the return to hospital practice were characterized by presenting a personal pathological history (p<0.001) and living with 2 or more people over 65 years of age (p<0.001). The main clinical history of relatives over 65 years of age were high blood pressure (36.89%), diabetes (19.04%) and obesity (15.47%). Conclusions: The proportion of students in favour of returning to hospitals is low, mainly motivated by presenting previous personal pathological history and living with relatives over 65 years of age. About half of the participants have resources that allow their remote learning.