Publication:

Knowledge, attitude and practices associated with COVID-19 among undergraduate medical students of Rajasthan

Background COVID-19 is a pandemic that has taken over the entire world and its KAP is important for medical students in order for them to be well-versed future health workers. To evaluate the adequacy of knowledge of medical students to deal with the ongoing pandemic and their attitudes and practices towards the prevention and control of the pandemic.

Methods A KAP study was conducted in the Undergraduate Medical Students of Rajasthan. A questionnaire was sent via Google forms through social media platforms to the participants. Statistical analysis done by ANOVA, student t-test.

Results The mean ± SD scores attained for knowledge, attitude and practices were 6.63±1.447, 16.45±2.589. The scores attained by different age groups, batches, colleges and genders were comparable. The knowledge of the students in regard of main symptoms (98.8.%), mode of spread (92.53%), time taken for the manifestation of the disease (97.35%) and precautions to prevent the spread of the virus (99.02%) is satisfactory, however, regarding the type of mask WHO advices for the general people in areas of widespread transmission with limited capacity for implementing control measures (31%), whether a COVID-19 positive mother should breastfeed her new born (43%), the knowledge isn’t adequate. 86% of the students are confident about being able to take care of symptoms. 72% students are positive about working as frontline workers.

Conclusions Positive attitude and practices are seen in medical students of Rajasthan, the knowledge is adequate and they can be a vital asset to spreading awareness about COVID-19.