scholarly journals COVID-19 and Iranian Medical Students; A Survey on Their Related-Knowledge, Preventive Behaviors and Risk Perception

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 249-254 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Hossein Taghrir ◽  
Roham Borazjani ◽  
Ramin Shiraly

Background: Since December 2019, a novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) began its journey around the world. Medical students, as frontline healthcare workers, are more susceptible to be infected by the virus. The aim of this study was to assess COVID-19 related knowledge, self-reported preventive behaviors and risk perception among Iranian medical students within the first week after the onset of the outbreak in Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from 26th to 28th of February, 2020. Participants were Iranian medical students (5th-7th year) whose knowledge, preventive behaviors and risk perceptions of COVID-19 were assessed using an online questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of 26 questions including 15 items about COVID-19 related knowledge, 9 items regarding preventive measures and 2 items about COVID-19 risk perception. The validity and reliability of the questionnaire were shown to be satisfactory. Results: A total of 240 medical students completed the questionnaire. The mean age of participants was 23.67 years. The average of correct answers of knowledge was 86.96%; and 79.60% had high level of related knowledge. The average rate of practicing preventive behaviors was 94.47%; and 94.2% had high level of performance in preventive behaviors. The cumulative score of risk perception was 4.08 out of 8 which was in moderate range. Risk perception was significantly different between stagers and interns and between those being trained in emergency room (ER) and non-ER wards. There was a significant negative correlation between preventive behaviors and risk perception. Conclusion: We found a high level of COVID-19 related knowledge and self-reported preventive behaviors and moderate risk perception among Iranian medical students.

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (9) ◽  
pp. 2175-2177
Author(s):  
Khadija Ghafoor Quraishi ◽  
Mian Ali Raza ◽  
Sadaf Waris ◽  
Fahad Tanveer ◽  
Ashfaq Ahmad

Background: COVID-19 pandemic has become a foremost health concern, many countries have ordered lockdown to stop the spread of COVID-19 due to which many Universities are closed and students are taking lectures online, Pakistan is also one of the countries in which lockdown was imposed, the aim of this study is to examine the level of physical activity and lifestyle of medical students from University of Lahore (UoL) during COVID-19. Aim: To determine the effect of COVID-19 lockdown on the physical activity and lifestyle of medical students of University of Lahore. Materials: Sample size included 151 medical students from the University of Lahore, study was pure cross-sectional and convenient sampling technique was used, data was collected through online questionnaire which contained question from IPAQ-SF to estimate the physical activity and lifestyle of observed University students. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 25. Results: The results showed that from the population of 151 medical students of University of Lahore 75 students (49.7%) reported Low level of physical activity, while 44 students (29.1%) students reported Moderate level of physical activity, and 32 students (21.2%) reported high level of physical activity. Conclusion: Majority of the medical students showed Low level of physical activity, 49.7% in the last 7 days during COVID-19 pandemic. Medical students of University of Lahore showed a decrease in their overall physical activity level. Keywords: COVID-19, lockdown, Medical students, Physical activity


2020 ◽  
Vol 29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leonardo Salomão Goulart ◽  
Laurelize Pereira Rocha ◽  
Deciane Pintanela de Carvalho ◽  
Edison Luiz Devos Barlem ◽  
Jamila Geri Tomaschewski-Barlem ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Objective: to identify the risk perception of workers with previous occupational accidents in Mobile Emergency Care Services. Method: this quantitative and analytical study with a cross-sectional design was conducted with 265 professionals working in pre-hospital settings from 57 cities in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. An online questionnaire addressed sociodemographic characteristics, previous occupational accidents and the workers’ occupational risk perceptions rated on a five-point Likert scale. The analysis included descriptive statistics, mean, standard deviation, median, and associations were verified using the Mann-Whitney test; the level of significance was established at p<0.05. Results: the occupational risks the workers more frequently reported were: exposure to blood (4.43); exposure to contaminated secretion/excretion (4.36); contact and handling of hygienization products (4.28); exposure to bacteria (4.25); lifting and transporting heavy loads (4.25); and exposure to viruses (4.23). A significant association was found between the risk perception of workers with previous occupational accidents and chemical (p=0.001), physical (p=0.006), ergonomic or psychological (p=0.000) risks, and accidents (p=0.000). Conclusion: association between the risk perception of workers who had previously experienced occupational accidents was significant, suggesting that workers may not identify or trivialize risks before they experience an accident. Therefore, actions are needed to encourage changes in behavior so that workers identify risks and prevent occupational accidents, such as adopting personal and collective protective equipment and improving the work conditions in pre-hospital settings.


Author(s):  
Mansour Alsoghair ◽  
Mohammad Almazyad ◽  
Tariq Alburaykan ◽  
Abdulrhman Alsultan ◽  
Abdulmajeed Alnughaymishi ◽  
...  

Background: The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic is an international public health threat. This study aimed to evaluate COVID-19-related knowledge, preventive behaviors, and risk perception among Saudi Arabian medical students and interns. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among fourth- and fifth-year medical students and interns between June and August 2020 at three colleges of medicine in Qassim Region, Saudi Arabia. A previously validated questionnaire was distributed as an online survey. Results: The total mean knowledge score was 12.5/15 points; 83.9% achieved a high score. The mean score of self-reported preventive behavior was 8.40; 94.1% achieved a high score. The overall mean risk perception score was 5.34/8 points; 31.6% achieved a high score. Conclusion: Medical students assessed in this study displayed sufficient knowledge and preventive behaviors regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and an average level of risk perception. Lower scores by younger medical students suggest that they must improve their COVID-19 knowledge and risk perception, as they are a potential source of health information in their communities.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qianlan Yin ◽  
Tianya Hou ◽  
Ying Liu ◽  
Aibin Chen ◽  
Xiangrui Song ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Health care workers (HCWs) on the front line of the COVID-19 were facing greater risks than usual, and their perception of these risks could also be an important part of their anti-epidemic work. This study aimed to examine risk perception and negative emotions of during two periods of the COVID-19 and emphasized emotional intervention management of HCWs impacting the risk perceptions and self-protection and would provide plausible intervention points for the psychological aid under a stressful condition.Methods The current study was adapted a repeated cross-sectional research participated by 504 Chinese HCWs who were assigned to work at the current disease resistance line. The demographic information about gender, profession, and location were collected in the demographic questionnaire. Risk perception questionnaire was adapted for COVID-19 to assess risk perception and the Chinese version of emotional self-rating scale (PANAS) was used to evaluate HCWs’ negative emotions.Results Findings revealed the risk perception and negative emotions of HCWs varied in different gender, profession and the location, as well as in different periods of COVID-19. Besides, the levels of tension, fear, worry and risk perception were higher during Period 1 than they were during Periods 2 of COVID-19. Over the different periods, the predominated negative emotions of HCWs presented varied, but the positive relations to risk perception were consisted and could be a significant predictor of risk perception. Worry was found to be closely related to and a significant predictor of high-level risk perception in the period 1; whereas in the period 2 the predictive type of negative emotion was tension.Conclusion The significance of this research lies in its examination of risk perception and negative emotions of HCWs combating the COVID-19 during two periods of the pandemic. The findings showed both risk perception and negative emotions of HCWs were affected by the COVID-19 and underscored the importance of negative emotions as a significant factor for risk perception of Chinese HCWs enduring the great challenge of pandemic. To ensure safety and prevent the return of the pandemics, it would be better to monitor the risk perception and negative emotions of HCWs and emphasize the risk protection behaviors.


2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahmoud Abdel Hameed Shahin ◽  
Rasha Mohammed Hussien

Abstract Background People’s perceptions of pandemic-associated risk are key factors contributing to increased public participation in disease preventive measures. The aim of the study was to investigate risk perceptions regarding the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, among the general population. A descriptive, cross-sectional design was used with a convenience sample of 723 participants, recruited from the general population of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Jordan. Data collection was performed using a standardized risk perception assessment questionnaire, in April 2020. Results The mean score for the perception of COVID-19 seriousness was significantly higher and the mean scores for the perception of disease susceptibility and extent of anxiety were also higher among Saudi Arabian participants than participants from Egypt and Jordan. Participants from Egypt had significantly lower mean scores for the perception of efficacy and self-efficacy to cope with COVID-19, and significantly lower intention to comply with COVID-19 precautionary measures than the other populations. A significant positive correlation was detected between the perception of COVID-19 seriousness and self-efficacy to handle COVID-19, for the entire sample. The primary reasons reported by participants driving their willingness to perform certain preventive measures against COVID-19 was a feeling of responsibility toward their own health, followed by preventing transmission to other people and the feeling that COVID-19 can be serious. Most of the study sample reported a desire to receive information about COVID-19 treatment, ways to prevent disease contraction, and the incubation period for the novel coronavirus. Also, most of the study sample reported that they prefer receiving COVID-19 updates from national authorities. Conclusions During the COVID-19 pandemic, communications designed to promote the adoption of preventive behaviors should focus on increasing the perception of seriousness, the risk perception, self-efficacy to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic, and the effectiveness of the adopted behavioral measures for reducing risk. Health education programs that are tailored to various sociodemographic categories, to improve public awareness, perceptions, and attitudes, are vital for increasing the adoption of outbreak preventive measures.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Callegaro ◽  
L Chinenye Ilogu ◽  
O Lugovska ◽  
S Mazzilli ◽  
A Prugnola ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Immunisation programs are still facing substantial challenges in achieving target coverage rates. This has been attributed to the growing negative individual vaccination attitudes and behaviours. Most of the current studies assessing vaccination knowledge, attitude and beliefs targets adults. However, young people represent future parents and health care professionals. The objective of this study was to investigate vaccination knowledge attitudes and behaviours among university medical and non-medical students in Europe. Methods We performed a cross-sectional online survey between April and July 2018. The study participants were students attending different faculties at the University of Antwerp, Belgium and the University of Pisa, Italy. We described sample characteristics. The effect of risk factors was tested with univariate and multivariate logistic regressions. Results A total of 2079 participants completed the survey including 873 medical students and 1206 from other faculties. The average of vaccination knowledge, attitudes, and confidence was respectively 5.51 (SD: 1.41), 4.66 (SD: 0.14) and 5.28 (SD: 0.57) on the 6-points scale. Our respondents demonstrated a high level of awareness with respect to their vaccination history. In total, 67.7% (n = 1407) reported to have received at least one vaccine in the previous five years; only 6.0% (n = 35) did not receive any vaccine in the previous 10 years. According to logistic regression analysis Italian students had significantly higher knowledge, attitude and confidence scores than Belgium respondents. Students of medicine scored significantly higher compared to non-medical students. Conclusions In order to reduce the gaps in vaccinations knowledge between non-medical and medical students we should plan educational interventions. In this way the number of future sceptical parents could be decreased. Further studies are required to explain the differences between countries. Key messages Young adults are the parents and the health care professionals of the future, for this reason their vaccination knowledge attitudes and behaviours should be carefully monitored. European non-medical students have lower vaccinations knowledge, attitudes and confidence compared with medical student. In order to fill these gaps, we should plan educational interventions.


Dermatology ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Irene Torrecilla-Martínez ◽  
Esperanza Manrique-Silva ◽  
Victor Traves ◽  
Celia Requena ◽  
Eduardo Nagore

<b><i>Background:</i></b> The incidence of cutaneous melanoma, an important global public health problem, has been increasing over the last several decades. <b><i>Objectives:</i></b> In order to decrease melanoma-related mortality, ways to communicate and implement the correct methods for conducting primary and secondary prevention measures (such as early detection via self-examination) should be investigated. <b><i>Materials and Methods:</i></b> An observational, cross-sectional, retrospective study consisting of 409 patients diagnosed with cutaneous melanoma was conducted. An online questionnaire was created to evaluate knowledge levels, attitudes, and adherence to primary preventive measures and to skin self-examination practices. <b><i>Results:</i></b> The results revealed that even when 43% of the patients perform cutaneous self-examinations, only half of them fully followed the recommendations. Patients aged &#x3c;45 years, female, with a I–II phototype, with an intermediate/high level of education, and with a history of NMSC were more likely to have an adequate degree of knowledge. Moreover, patients aged &#x3c;45 years and with an adequate degree of knowledge more frequently showed an adequate adherence to the primary prevention measures. Finally, patients aged 45–60 years and with an adequate degree of knowledge presented a good adherence to the self-skin examination measures. <b><i>Limitations:</i></b> Possible limitations of this study were memory bias through the influence of age within the study population, and bias due to a greater proportion of subjects with a high education level. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Within the population of patients with melanoma, a high percentage of patients do not rigorously follow the recommended prevention measures. Our study highlights the need to implement awareness in this population to improve the prevention of cutaneous cancer.


2021 ◽  
Vol 73 (12) ◽  
pp. 832-840
Author(s):  
Katti Sathaporn ◽  
Jarurin Pitanupong

Objective: To determine the level of and factors associated with empathy among medical students.Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study surveyed all first- to sixth-year medical students at the Facultyof Medicines, Prince of Songkla University, at the end of the 2020 academic year. The questionnaires consisted of:1) The personal and demographic information questionnaire, 2) The Toronto Empathy Questionnaire, and 3) ThaiMental Health Indicator-15. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and factors associated with empathylevel were assessed via chi-square and logistic regression analyses.Results: There were 1010 participants with response rate of 94%. Most of them were female (59%). More than half(54.9%) reported a high level of empathy. There was a statistically significant difference in empathy levels betweenpre-clinical and clinical medical students; in regards to empathy subgroups (P-value < 0.001). The assessment ofemotional states in others by demonstrating appropriate sensitivity behavior, altruism, and empathic respondingscores among the pre-clinical group were higher than those of the clinical group. Multivariate analysis indicatedthat female gender, pre-clinical training level, and minor specialty preference were factors associated with empathylevel. The protective factor that significantly improved the level of empathy was having fair to good mental health.Conclusion: More than half of the surveyed medical students reported a high level of empathy. The protective factorthat improved the level of empathy was good mental health. However, future qualitative methods, longitudinalsurveillance, or long-term follow-up designs are required to ensure the trustworthiness of these findings.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 169-176
Author(s):  
Bushra Suhail ◽  
Ayesha Masood ◽  
Javaria Baig ◽  
Sara Mukhtar ◽  
Sarah Aftab ◽  
...  

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.


Author(s):  
Amar Fathi Mohamed Khalifa ◽  
Yasser Nabil AlKhudairy ◽  
Adel Ahmed Algahtani ◽  
Bandar Mohammed Abduljabbar ◽  
Fahad Majed Aldawsari ◽  
...  

Background: Over-the-counter-drugs (OTC) are drugs that can be obtained by patients without a prescription from a physician. In Saudi Arabia, it has been reported that more than half of university students practiced self-medication and used OTC drugs. Methods: An institutional-based cross-sectional study, among medical and non-medical students in Riyadh. The sample size was 421, by systemic random sampling. A pre-coded pre-tested online questionnaire was used. Data was analyzed using SPSS V 23. P-value ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. Results: There was no significant relationship between what the participants were majoring in and the usage of OTC drugs (p value= 0.373). Gender also had no relation with the use of OTC (p value= 0.168). Panadol appeared as the most commonly used OTC drug 62.9% for the relief of the most commonly mentioned factor which is headache 50.12%.  Conclusion: Medical education didn’t have much of an effect on the use of OTC drugs. Moreover, professional guidance or advice was not considered most of the time for taking OTC, but the majority of respondents portrayed good behavior towards usage of OTC.


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