COLLEGE CONVERSION INTO QUARANTINE CENTER: STUDENTS’ PERCEPTION ON SAFETY AT KENYA MEDICAL TRAINING COLLEGE, MOMBASA
Purpose: The aim of the study was to determine the perception of students of Kenya Medical Training College Mombasa on its safety after conversion into a quarantine center. Methodology: The study was conducted at KMTC Mombasa, using a descriptive cross-sectional design, where students were selected using multistage sampling. Sample size determination was done using Fischer’s statistical formula at a confidence level of 95% (p=95%). Data was collected using a structured online survey questionnaire and a focused group discussion. Analysis of data was done using SPSS and results presented in Excel tables and narrations. Findings: 65.2% (165) of the students felt the college was safe for resumption of studies while 34.8% (88) felt the college was unsafe. 56% (93) of those who felt the college was safe stated that safety is a personal responsibility and that they would observe the recommended measures. 22% (36) had confidence that the institution would implement all the measures possible to ensure safety of the facility upon reopening. Two reasons advanced by the students as to why they felt the college was unsafe were; proximity of the college to an isolation center and interaction with other students cited by 31% (27) and 30% (26) of the students respectively. The study demonstrated a significant relationship between students’ department and how comfortable they were to use the hostels after getting back to college (p=0.036).  Students felt safest to use the library while the toilets were the least safe. Unique contribution to theory, practice and Policy: The perception of students towards safety of their learning institution after its use as quarantine center during a pandemic has not been reported in literature. The findings of this study are important for leaders and policy makers across sectors in guiding decision making in instances where public facilities may need to be converted to serve other purposes. Stakeholders may have reservations as to whether the usual users are going to feel safe in such facilities after its temporary use.