Relationship Between In-person Instruction and COVID-19 Incidence Among University Students: A Prospective Cohort Study

Universities and university colleges need to balance their students’ need for in person instruction and the potential increased risk of spread of COVID-19. The alternative til in person instruction in online instruction. We will study the relationship between in person instruction and COVID-19 risk by comparing students who are offered much in person instruction, and those who are offered relatively more online instruction. We will also investigate if there is a relationship between in persons instruction and satisfaction with instruction, quality of life, and learning outcomes.

Abstract:

Whether university teaching on campus with infection control measures in place is associated with higher risk of COVID-19 than online instruction, is unknown. We will assess this by conducting repeated surveys among students at universities and university colleges in Norway, where some instruction is given in-person, and some is provided online (hybrid model). We will ask about the students’ COVID-19 status, and how much in-person and online instruction they are getting. We will estimate the association between in-person instruction and COVID-19-risk using multivariate regression, controlling for likely confounders. We will also assess whether type of instruction is associated with how satisfied the students are with the instruction, their quality of life, and learning outcomes.