Survey of knowledge and attitude of students of Abadan University of Medical Sciences to “COVID - 19”

Document Type : Original research paper

Authors

1 Clinical Research Development Unit, Taleghani Educational Hospital, Abadan University of Medical Sciences, Abadan, Iran

2 Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Abadan University of Medical Sciences, Abadan, Iran

3 Department of Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran

4 Department of Nursing, Abadan University of Medical Sciences, Abadan, Iran

5 Department of Public Health, School of Health, Abadan University of Medical Sciences, Abadan, Iran

6 Department of Operating Room, Abadan University of Medical Sciences, Abadan, Iran

7 Abadan University of Medical Sciences, Abadan, Iran

Abstract

Introduction: ”COVID-19” is a dangerous viral disease that has recently become a pandemic. In the meantime, the knowledge and attitude of medical students in caring for patients are very important.  Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the knowledge and attitudes of Abadan medical students about the “ COVID-19 “ disease.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on medical students (n = 255) in 2020-2021 using the convenience sampling method. Data was collected using a personal information questionnaire and a researcher-made questionnaire of knowledge and attitude related to the disease. The total score of students ‘knowledge about “ COVID-19” disease was between 0 and 33, where 0 means minimum knowledge and 33 means between 16 and 80. After confirming the validity and reliability of the questionnaire, the online questionnaire was completed by individuals.
Results: The results showed that the mean and standard deviation of knowledge scores and students’ attitudes toward “COVID-19” disease were 13.42 ±2.69 and 22.27 ±3.9, respectively. The results showed that there was no significant relationship between attitude and demographic characteristics. There was a significant relationship between students ‘knowledge score and field of study (P= 0.001) but there was no significant relationship between students’ knowledge score and gender and marital status.
Conclusion: Medical students have an acceptable knowledge and attitude toward “COVID-19”. On the other hand, our information about “COVID-19” disease is increasing every day. Therefore, the educational authorities of medical universities should design and implement programs to increase the awareness and attitude of students toward “COVID-19”. 

Keywords

Main Subjects


  1. WHO. Novel coronavirus – China. Jan 12, 2020. http://www.who. int/csr/don/12-january-2020-novel[1]coronavirus-china/en/ (accessed Jan 19, 2020).
  2. Ranjbar Roghani A, Nemati R, Fathi Y, Sheikhnavaz Jahed S, Ajri Khamsloo F, Ajri Khamslou M. Knowledge and Attitude for Medical Students towards COVID-19. Iran Journal of Nursing. 2020 Oct;33(126):44-57.
  3. Rahmanian M, Dorodchi A, Zarenezhad M, Hatami N, Javdani F, Kalani N. Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Students of Jahrom University of medical sciences to the new coronavirus (Covid-19). Medical Journal of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences. 2020;63(3):2359-69.
  4. Adab Z, Azizi M, Solhi M, La M, Irandoost F. Dormitory student’s Knowlege and Atittiude about influenza A (H1N1) disease. Rahavard Salamat Journal. 2016 Sep 10;2(2):10-7.(Persian)
  5. Cascella M, Rajnik M, Aleem A, Dulebohn S, Di Napoli R. Features, evaluation, and treatment of coronavirus (COVID-19). StatPearls. 2021.
  6. Marzban A, Karkhaneh M. Evaluation of knowledge and attitude of students of Yazd University of Medical Sciences to cigarette smoking. JPM. 2018; 5(1):55-63.
  7. Wisedjinda L, Hengriprasopchoke S,Karucote A, Khaocharee P, Lawantuksin N, Panvatvanich S, et al. Knowledge,attitude, and practices concerninginfluenza A H1N1 among Thai medical students. Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University; 2009
  8. Lau JT, Kim JH, Tsui HY, Griffiths S. Anticipated and current preventive behaviors in response to an anticipated human-to-human H5N1 epidemic in the Hong Kong Chinese general population. BMC Infectious Diseases. 2007 Dec 1;7(1):18
  9. Zhong BL, Luo W, Li HM, Zhang QQ, Liu XG, Li WT, Li Y. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards COVID-19 among Chinese residents during the rapid rise period of the COVID-19 outbreak: a quick online cross-sectional survey. Int J Biolog Sci. 2020;16(10):1745.
  10. Park JH, Cheong HK, Son DY, Kim SU, Ha CM. Perceptions and behaviors related to hand hygiene for the prevention of H1N1 influenza transmission among Korean university students during the peak pandemic period. BMC Infectious Diseases. 2010 Dec 1;10(1):222.
  11. Najimi A, Golshiri P. Knowledge, beliefs and preventive behaviors regarding Influenza A in students: a test of the health belief model. Journal of education and health promotion. 2013;2:23
  12. Tork HM, Mersal FA. Middle East respiratory syndrome[1]corona virus: knowledge and attitude of Qassim University students, KSA. Global Adv Res J Med Med Sci. 2018 Apr;7(4):90-7.
  13. Maheshwari S, Gupta PK, Sinha R, Rawat P. Knowledge, attitude, and practice towards coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among medical students: a cross-sectional study. Journal of Acute Disease. 2020 May 1;9(3):100.
  14. Huynh G, Nguyen TN, Vo KN, Pham LA. Knowledge and attitude toward COVID-19 among healthcare workers at District 2 Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City. Asian Pacific J Trop Med. 2020;13(6):260.
  15. Lincango-Naranjo, Eddy, et al. “Paradigms about the COVID-19 pandemic: knowledge, attitudes and practices from medical students.” BMC medical education 21.1 (2021): 1-10.