Social networks within the framework of educational sustainability in times of pandemic

ABSTRACT

The impact of an educational guidance program through social networks on three dimensions related to the COVID- 19 pandemic was evaluated, in subjects living in the urban area of the province of Chachapoyas, Peru, during the period September-December 2020. The program consisted of in the dissemination through social networks of up-todate scientific information on the etiology, prevention and therapy of the disease, and the transfer of mental techniques to protect emotional health, through accessible and enjoyable communication strategies. The dimensions studied were level of knowledge about the pandemic, care and preventive measures, and the management of emotional health, using a 12-item Likert-type instrument that was applied before and after the execution of the program. The scores achieved by each of the dimensions were compared, those observed between the dimensions, and the uniformity of the opinions of the subjects in each dimension was also measured both before and after. An increase in the score was found in each of the dimensions after the application of the program, being statistically significant for the management of emotional health. Significant differences were observed in the scores between the three dimensions both before and after, with greater force in that of care and preventive measures. The program also produced uniformity in the opinions of the subjects on each of the dimensions. These results suggest that the transfer of knowledge and healthy methods through social networks to teach people to take care of COVID-19 is a viable and potentially sustainable strategy.