scholarly journals Knowledge about the COVID-19 pandemic among undergraduate medical and dental students in Lalitpur, Nepal

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nisha Jha ◽  
Neeti Singh ◽  
Omi Bajracharya ◽  
Tejendra Manandhar ◽  
Pragya Devkota ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The number of cases of coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) is still increasing especially in South Asia. There is an urgent need to measure the knowledge of the disease among health science students who may be required to play an active role in pandemic control. The research was conducted to answer how does Nepalese medical students' knowledge about coronavirus compare to medical students in other countries and what are the educational needs of medical students who may be called in to support the treatment of COVID-19 in Nepal. Methods A cross sectional study was performed during the third week of June among first to final year medical and dental students. As the country was in lockdown, a structured online questionnaire was used to obtain data. The responses obtained were cleaned, coded, entered in IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows and the normality of the data checked using one-sample Kolmogorov Smirnov test (p<0.05). The demographic parameters were tabulated and total score compared among different subgroups of participants. The frequency of different measures mentioned by respondents to control the pandemic were also noted. Results Out of the 565 participants, 336 (59.6%) were females followed by 229 (40.4%) males. Nearly half of the participants, 282 (49.8%) were belonging to age group 21-23 years. Majority 415 (73.5%) were undergraduate medical and 150 (26.5%) were undergraduate dental students. The largest number of respondents, 140 (24.9%) were from second year of study and 344 (60.9%) were from urban areas. The median total score was 21 and the interquartile range 4. The maximum possible score was 30. The scores among students belonging to different years of study were significantly different (p=0.033). Total scores were not significantly different among other subgroups of respondents. Conclusions The knowledge of the participants was good. Deficiencies in knowledge were noted in certain areas and these should be addressed through an educational intervention. In countries where epidemic is on the rise, strategies to keep health science students updated with proper information related to COVID-19 is important. Similar studies can be undertaken in other medical colleges in the country and in nursing and pharmacy colleges also.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nisha Jha ◽  
Neeti Singh ◽  
Omi Bajracharya ◽  
Tejendra Manandhar ◽  
Pragya Devkota ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Health science students are an important source of support to health systems. The number of cases of coronavirus disease-19 is still increasing especially in South Asia. Therefore, for better management, there is an urgent need to understand the knowledge of the disease among health science students. Therefore, this study was undertaken to assess the knowledge of medical and dental students regarding the coronavirus pandemic.Methods A cross sectional study was performed during the third week of June among first to final year medical and dental students. As the country was in lockdown, a structured online questionnaire was used to obtain data. The responses obtained were cleaned, coded, entered in IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows and the normality of the data checked using one-sample Kolmogorov Smirnov test (p < 0.05). The demographic parameters were tabulated and total score compared among different subgroups of participants. The frequency of different measures mentioned by respondents to control the pandemic were also noted.Results Out of the 565 participants, 336 (59.6%) were females followed by 229 (40.4%) males. Nearly half of the participants, 282 (49.8%) were belonging to age group 21–23 years. Majority 415 (73.5%) were undergraduate medical and 150 (26.5%) were undergraduate dental students. The largest number of respondents, 140 (24.9%) were from second year of study and 344 (60.9%) were from urban areas. The median total score was 21 and the interquartile range 4. The maximum possible score was 30. The scores among students belonging to different years of study were significantly different (p = 0.033). Total scores were not significantly different among other subgroups of respondents.Conclusions The knowledge of the participants was good. Deficiencies in knowledge were noted in certain areas and these should be addressed through an educational intervention. In countries where epidemic is on the rise, strategies to keep health science students updated with proper information related to COVID-19 is important. Similar studies can be undertaken in other medical colleges in the country and in nursing and pharmacy colleges also.


Author(s):  
Nisha Jha ◽  
Neeti Singh ◽  
Omi Bajracharya ◽  
Tejendra Manandhar ◽  
Tejendra Manandhar ◽  
...  

Background. Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) has become a major global problem. There is an urgent need to measure the knowledge of the disease among health science students who can play an active role in pandemic control. The research was conducted to examine COVID-19 knowledge among medical and dental students in a Nepalese medical college, compare the knowledge to other studies in the literature and identify educational needs of students who may be involved in treating COVID-19 patients.  Methods. The cross-sectional study was performed during the third week of June among first to final year medical and dental students. As the country was in lockdown, a structured online questionnaire was used. The responses obtained were entered into IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows and the normality of the data checked using one-sample Kolmogorov Smirnov test. The demographic parameters were tabulated, and total score compared among different subgroups of participants. The frequency of different measures mentioned by respondents were also noted. Results. More than half of the participants were males (59.6%). Nearly half 282 (49.8%) belonged to age group 21-23 years. The majority 415 (73.5%) were undergraduate medical and 150 (26.5%) were undergraduate dental students. The largest number of respondents, 140 (24.9%), were from the second year of study and 344 (60.9%) were from urban areas. The median total score was 20 and the interquartile range 4. The maximum possible score was 29. The scores among students belonging to different years of study were significantly different (p=0.006). Total scores were not significantly different among other subgroups. Conclusions. The knowledge of the participants was good. Deficiencies in knowledge were noted in certain areas and these should be addressed through an educational intervention. One of the challenges is the rapid evolution of our knowledge about this condition, which may require regular refresher sessions. Similar studies can be undertaken in other medical colleges in the country and in nursing and pharmacy colleges.


F1000Research ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 566
Author(s):  
Walid Alali ◽  
Wadha AlFouzan ◽  
Dhuha Alajmi ◽  
Haya Al-Tawalah ◽  
Khalid Kheirallah ◽  
...  

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is unprecedented. Health science students are the future frontliners to fight pandemics. Awareness and perception toward COVID-19 among health science students and staff at Kuwait University was assessed. Methods: Between June and July 2020, an online questionnaire was distributed to all students and staff at HCS.  The questionnaire was divided into six sections: socio-demography, risk and awareness, preparedness and prevention, source of information, policies, and social stigma.  Results: A total of 592 students and 162 staff completed the questionnaire. The prevalence of self-reported chronic condition among students and staff was 14.0% and 19.1%, respectively. Moreover, self-reported COVID-19 prevalence among students and staff was 2.7% and 1.2%, respectively. Interestingly, 54% of students and 38.3% of staff reported that they knew someone within their immediate social environment who have been/are infected with SARS-CoV-2. Among students, 92.4% wore face mask in indoor places (outside of their home) ‘often/all the time’ compared to wearing it outdoors (69.3%); whereas, for staff, it was more common to wear it outdoor than in indoor places (75.9% vs. 81.5%). Willingness to take COVID-19 vaccine was indicated by 50% of students ‘strongly agreed’ and an additional 25.8% agreed to taking it. Interest vaccine uptake was lower among staff (28.4% and 34.6% strongly agreed or agreed, respectively). Participants strongly agreed or agreed (72.5% and 19.6% of students as well as 68.5% and 22.2% of staff) that wearing face mask in public should be obligatory. More than 18% of students and staff indicated that they would avoid contact with COVID-19 infected people. Conclusions: Responses of students and staff were mostly similar and showed that they follow precautionary measures to control spread of COVID-19, understand the viral transmission risk, and willing to raise awareness to reduce social stigma.


Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 1451
Author(s):  
Mohamed Khalis ◽  
Mouna Boucham ◽  
Amy Luo ◽  
Abdelghafour Marfak ◽  
Soukaina Saad ◽  
...  

While students in the health sciences occupy pivotal roles in the Moroccan COVID-19 response and vaccination campaigns, factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine acceptability among students have not been reported. This study aimed to determine the willingness and identify predictive attitudes and beliefs of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among health science students in Morocco. A cross-sectional, self-administered online questionnaire was conducted among students of the Mohammed VI University of Health Sciences in Casablanca, Morocco in January 2021. In total, 1272 students participated. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to calculate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Overall, 26.9% of participants reported being willing to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Between genders, male students were more likely to accept the vaccine. Regarding individual attitudes and beliefs about COVID-19 infection, students with greater confidence in COVID-19 information, and higher perceived likelihood and perceived severity of infection were more likely to be willing to get the vaccine. Concerning a COVID-19 vaccine, students who reported lower levels of perceived harm and higher levels of perceived vaccine effectiveness were more willing to get vaccinated. Our findings help guide future efforts to tailor communication and identify strategies to increase COVID-19 vaccine uptake among students.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Walid Alali

BACKGROUND Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is unprecedented. Health science students are the future frontliners to fight pandemics. OBJECTIVE Awareness and perception toward COVID-19 among health science students at Kuwait University was assessed. METHODS Between June and July 2020, an online questionnaire was distributed to all students at HCS. The questionnaire was divided into six sections: socio-demography, risk and awareness, preparedness and prevention, source of information, policies, and social stigma. RESULTS A total of 592 students completed the questionnaire. The self-reported COVID-19 prevalence among students was 2.7%. About 54% of students reported that they knew someone within their immediate social environment who have been/are infected with SARS-CoV-2. The prevalence of self-reported chronic condition among students was 14.0% including 42.2% reported having a form of asthma. Among students, 92.4% wore face mask in indoor places (outside of their home) ‘often/all the time’ compared to wearing it outdoors (69.3%). Students indicated a great deal of trust in official government press releases and consultation with healthcare workers. On COVID-19 vaccination, 50% of students ‘strongly agreed’ to uptake it with an additional 25.8% ‘agreed’ to taking it. Participants strongly agreed or agreed (72.5% and 19.6%, respectively) that wearing face mask in public should be obligatory. More than 18% of students indicated that they would avoid contact with COVID-19 infected people. CONCLUSIONS : Responses of students showed that they follow precautionary measures to control spread of COVID-19, understand the viral transmission risk, and willing to uptake the COVID-19 vaccine.


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-28
Author(s):  
Ebtisam M. F. Alhawsawi ◽  
Jawaher R. Alahmadi ◽  
Ebtihal M. F. Alhawsawi ◽  
Duaa M. Assaqaf ◽  
Afnan H. Judah ◽  
...  

Objective:  Waterpipe smoking is one of many methods of smoking and is a traditional habit in the Middle East. Waterpipe smoking produces toxins similar to those in cigarette smoke and is associated with substantial health risks. Th e aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence of waterpipe smoking among medical students, to evaluate their attitudes, motivations and knowledge about the hazardous effects. Methods:  This cross-sectional study of King Abdulaziz University Health Science students required a sample size of 700 participants. Th e participants were selected using the multi-stage stratified random sampling technique, and a validated self-administered questionnaire in English was used. Th e study was conducted from 24 April 2016 to 15 May 2016. Results:  Seven hundred twenty-one participants (325 (45.1%) males and 396 (54.9%) females) were selected for analysis. The prevalence of waterpipe smoking was 16.1%. The most common motives for smoking were socialization with friends, relaxation and taste, and most of the students were aware of the effects of waterpipe smoking on health. Conclusion:  There is a high prevalence of waterpipe smoking among medical students. Sharing waterpipes with others was common, particularly among males, and the majority of students thought that they could quit this habit.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Walid Q. Alali ◽  
Wadha AlFouzan ◽  
Dhuha Aljimi ◽  
Haya Al-Tawalah ◽  
Khalid A. Kheirallah ◽  
...  

AbstractBackgroundCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is unprecedented. Health science students are the future frontliners to fight pandemics. Awareness and perception toward COVID-19 among health science students and staff at Kuwait University was assessed.MethodsBetween June and July 2020, an online questionnaire was distributed to all students and staff at HCS. The questionnaire was divided into six sections: socio-demography, risk and awareness, preparedness and prevention, source of information, policies, and social stigma.ResultsA total of 592 students and 162 staff completed the questionnaire. The prevalence of self-reported chronic condition among students and staff was 14.0% and 19.1%, respectively. Moreover, self-reported COVID-19 prevalence among students and staff was 2.7% and 1.2%, respectively. Interestingly, 54% of students and 38.3% of staff reported that they knew someone within their immediate social environment who have been/are infected with SARS-CoV-2. Among students, 92.4% wore face mask in indoor places (outside of their home) often/all the time compared to wearing it outdoors (69.3%); whereas, for staff, it was more common to wear it outdoor than in indoor places (75.9% vs. 81.5%). Both students and staff showed greatest deal of trust was in official government press release and consultation with healthcare workers.Willingness to take COVID-19 vaccine was indicated by 50% of students strongly agreed and an additional 25.8% agreed to taking it. Interest vaccine uptake was lower among staff (28.4% and 34.6% strongly agreed or agreed, respectively). Participants strongly agreed or agreed (72.5% and 19.6% of students as well as 68.5% and 22.2% of staff) that wearing face mask in public should be obligatory. More than 18% of students and staff indicated that they would avoid contact with COVID-19 infected people.ConclusionsResponses of students and staff were mostly similar and showed that they follow precautionary measures to control spread of COVID-19, understand the viral transmission risk, and willing to raise awareness to reduce social stigma.


2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (S 01) ◽  
pp. S97-S104
Author(s):  
Saqib Ali ◽  
Beenish Fatima Alam ◽  
Faraz Farooqi ◽  
Khalid Almas ◽  
Sara Noreen

Abstract Objective The aims of this study were to investigate the awareness, knowledge, and attitudes of Pakistani medical and dental undergraduate students toward COVID-19 during the surge of its outbreak. Materials and Methods The multicentered, cross-sectional study was carried out nationwide among undergraduate medical and dental students. A convenience sampling technique was used. A self-developed online questionnaire was pretested to be completed by the participants. It was distributed using social media. The survey was comprised of questions related to demographics, health status, general hygiene perception, understanding, and the learning attitudes of the students. Comparisons of the knowledge scores and the attitude responses with the demographic information were done using the independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, and Chi-square, as appropriate. Results Of the 937 total respondents, 353 (38%) were males and 582 (62%) were females; two students did not mark their gender. Of these, 680 (73%) were dental students and 257 (27%) were medical students. The mean knowledge score of the female dental students (5.15 ± 1.08) was significantly higher than that of the male students (4.87 ± 1.09). Overall, the mean knowledge score was statistically higher among the medical students in comparison to the dental students (5.21 ± 1.15, 5.05 ± 1.09; p = 0.054), respectively. Conclusion The medical and dental students were both aware of the importance of the use of a mask. The medical students had a greater awareness regarding the mode of transmission, symptoms, and origin of COVID-19. However, the dental students showed better understanding of the use of surgical masks and the correct protocol for hand washing. Social media was considered the main source for COVID-19 related information.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 211-220
Author(s):  
Ahmed Waqas ◽  
Aqsa Iftikhar ◽  
Zahra Malik ◽  
Kapil Kiran Aedma ◽  
Hafsa Meraj ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectivesThis study has been designed to elucidate the prevalence of stress, depression and poor sleep among medical students in a Pakistani medical school. There is a paucity of data on social support among medical students in Pakistan; an important predictor of depressive symptoms. Therefore, this study was also aimed to demonstrate the direct and indirect impact of social support in alleviating depressive symptoms in the study sample.MethodsThis observational cross-sectional study was conducted in Lahore, Pakistan, where a total of 400 students at a medical school were approached between 1st January to 31st March 2018 to participate in the study. The study sample comprised of medical and dental students enrolled at a privately financed Pakistani medical and dental school. The participants responded to a self-administered survey comprising of five parts: a) demographics, b) Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), c) Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), d) Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) and e) Perceived Stress Scale-4 (PSS-4). All data were analysed using SPSS v. 20. Linear regression analysis was used to reveal the predictors of depression.ResultsIn total, 353 medical students participated, yielding a response rate of 88.25%. Overall, poor sleep quality was experienced by 205 (58.1%) students. Mild to severe depression was reported by 83% of the respondents: mild depression by 104 (29.5%), moderate depression by 104 (29.5%), moderately severe depression by 54 (15.3%) and severe depression by 31 (8.8%) respondents. Subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, daytime dysfunction and stress levels were significantly associated with depression symptoms. Social support was not significantly associated with depressive symptoms in the regression model (Beta = -0.08, P < 0.09); however, it acted as a significant mediator, reducing the strength of the relationship between depressive symptoms and sleep quality and stress.ConclusionsAccording to our study, a large proportion of healthcare (medical and dental) students were found to be suffering from mild to moderate depression and experienced poor sleep quality. It is concluded that social support is an important variable in predicting depressive symptomatology by ameliorating the effects of poor sleep quality and high stress levels.


2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 20-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Mishra ◽  
J. Lamichhane

Background: Sexual harassment on public transport is an everyday occurrence for millions of girls and women around the globe. With the skyrocketing population of Kathmandu valley public transport has been facing enormous pressure. The major victims of these harassments happens to be college going girls and working women as they tend to travel more in public transports. This study sought to determine the prevalence and factors responsible for sexual harassment in public transport among female health science students.Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among 396 female health science students studying in Manmohan Memorial Institute of Health Sciences using self-administered structured questionnaire. Participants were selected through stratified random sampling method.Results: The prevalence of sexual harassment among female health science students was found to be 79.6%. Physical harassment was the most prominent type of harassment (67.1%) followed by verbal (61.2%) and non verbal 34.6%. After the experience of sexual harassment, 44.6% scolded the harasser, 29.1% kept silent, 17.3% dropped at nearest bus station whereas remaining 9% reacted in other different ways. Overcrowding was considered as main reason for sexual harassment by 69.2% of the participants. 36.8% of female students didn’t use any precautionary methods whereas 32.6% avoided going out alone at night.Conclusion: The study reveals that the prevalence of sexual harassment is significantly high. With increasing population and limited vehicles people are left with no option rather than travelling in the overcrowded vehicles where the chances of experiencing various sorts of sexual harassments are very high. In order to address this emerging issue, prompt and appropriate intervention should be taken by government, public and especially the status of women must be raised in society.JMMIHS.2018;4(1):20-32


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