Skip to main content Skip to main navigation menu Skip to site footer
Articles
Published: 2021-04-14

Knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding COVID-19 pandemic among medical students of Ernakulam, India

Department of Community Medicine, Sree Narayana Institute of Medical Sciences, Ernakulam, India
Department of Community Medicine, Sree Narayana Institute of Medical Sciences, Ernakulam, India
Department of Community Medicine, Sree Narayana Institute of Medical Sciences, Ernakulam, India
Department of Community Medicine, Sree Narayana Institute of Medical Sciences, Ernakulam, India
Department of Community Medicine, Sree Narayana Institute of Medical Sciences, Ernakulam, India
COVID-19, Knowledge, Attitude, Practice, Medical students, Central Kerala, India

Abstract

Background: COVID – 19 infection is a serious pandemic the world is now facing. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding COVID-19 infection among medical students at a private medical college in central Kerala. 

Methods: A cross-sectional web-based study was conducted during April-May 2020 in a private medical college in Ernakulam District using the Universal sampling technique. The study tool was a semi-structured validated questionnaire containing sociodemographic details and questions on knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) regarding COVID-19 infection. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20 software.

Results: A total of 288 students were included in the study, with a mean age of 21±1.4. The male-to-female ratio was 2.75:1. Medical students showed adequate knowledge (81.6%), attitude (91.3%), and practice (84.7%) towards the COVID-19 pandemic, respectively. The main symptoms of COVID-19 infection were known to at least 83% of the participants. The majority (85.4%) were aware that there is no specific treatment for COVID-19 infection and 90% were aware of the main modes of the disease transmission. The majority (99%) of the medical students believed that COVID-19 infection could be prevented through social distancing, wearing masks, and the practice of self-hygiene. About 75.6% believed that government measures for prevention are adequate. Steam inhalation, saline gargling, and consumption of vitamin C-rich foodstuffs were the main specific measures adopted. Older age and female gender were found to be associated with better knowledge.

Conclusion: Adequate KAP levels among medical students in this study are attributable to the current lockdown and the strict government measures to contain the infection.



Downloads

Download data is not yet available.


How to Cite

1.
Kalliath JD, Kizhatil A, Rose BM, Kuncheria AM, John A. Knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding COVID-19 pandemic among medical students of Ernakulam, India. jidhealth [Internet]. 2021 Apr. 14 [cited 2024 Oct. 10];4(Special1):337-42. Available from: https://www.jidhealth.com/index.php/jidhealth/article/view/103