COVID-19 KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE, AND PRACTICES BETWEEN PAKISTANI MEDICAL AND NON-MEDICAL STUDENTS

COVID-19 AWARENESS AMONG STUDENTS

  • Bushra Suhail Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacology, University College of Medicine and Dentistry Lahore, Pakistan.
  • Ayesha Masood Assistant Professor, Department of Pathology, University College of Medicine and Dentistry Lahore, Pakistan.
  • Javaria Baig Liaquat College of Medicine & Dentistry, Karachi, Pakistan
  • Sara Mukhtar Associate Professor, Department of Physiology, University College of Medicine and Dentistry Lahore, Pakistan.
  • Sarah Aftab University of Health Sciences Lahore, Pakistan (M.Phil Microbiology).
  • Tahir Jamil Professor of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Rabigh, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah Saudia Arabia.
Keywords: Knowledge, Attitude, Preparedness, Medical students, Social media

Abstract

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: This study investigated medical and non-medical students’ knowledge, attitude, and preparedness regarding COVID-19 pandemic, to groom volunteers and future healthcare providers in a better way.

METHODOLOGY: This cross-sectional study was completed from April to May 2020 during the first wave of COVID-19. An online questionnaire was distributed using internet and social media (SM). The questionnaire was composed of several parts concerning to demographic data, knowledge, attitude, and practices.

RESULTS: This study included 1851 students [1041(56.54% medical, 810(43.46%) non-medical students)]. Medical students had significantly better knowledge about the contagious nature, spread and treatment of coronavirus. Non-medical students showed more risky behavior compared to medical students (p = 0.005). The use of masks and the frequency of handwashing was better among medical students as compared to non-medical students (p< 0.001; p< 0.014, respectively). The odds ratio indicates that students of the age group 21-25 years (45%) and medical students (75%) were more likely to have a positive attitude.

CONCLUSION: This study revealed good knowledge, positive attitudes, and good practices towards COVID-19 among medical students. Still, a minority of participants from both groups revealed misconceptions and relatively poor conceptual knowledge regarding the disease.

Published
2021-08-24
How to Cite
Bushra Suhail, Ayesha Masood, Javaria Baig, Sara Mukhtar, Sarah Aftab, & Tahir Jamil. (2021). COVID-19 KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE, AND PRACTICES BETWEEN PAKISTANI MEDICAL AND NON-MEDICAL STUDENTS. Journal of University Medical & Dental College, 12(3), 169-176. https://doi.org/10.37723/jumdc.v12i3.641
Section
Original Article