Behaviors and attitudes of college students during an academic semester at two Wisconsin universities during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Objective: Characterize college student COVID-19 behaviors and attitudes during the early pandemic. Participants: Students on two university campuses in Wisconsin. Methods: Surveys administered in September and November 2020. Results: Few students (3–19%) participated in most in-person activities during the semester, with eating at restaurants as the exception (72–80%) and attending work (35%) and parties (33%) also reported more frequently. The majority wore masks in public (94–99%), but comparatively fewer (42%) did so at parties. Mask-wearing at parties decreased from September to November (p < 0.05). Students attending parties, or consuming more alcohol, were less concerned and more likely to take COVID-19-associated risks. Conclusions: Students were motivated to adhere to COVID-19 prevention measures but gathered socially. Though there was frequent public masking, mask-wearing at parties declined in November and may represent pandemic fatigue. High-yield strategies for decreasing viral spread may include changing masking social norms and engaging with students about creative risk-reduction strategies.