Awareness of Blind Students Regarding COVID-19 Prevention: Outcomes of Audio Educational Guideline

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an emerging infection that becomes a
pandemic health problem. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of audio educational
guideline on awareness of blind students regarding COVID-19 Prevention. Subjects and Methods:
Design: A quasi-experimental design was utilized in this study. Setting: The study was conducted at
Al-Nour and Al Amal School for the blind students affiliated at Beni-Suef Governorate, Egypt.
Sample: A purposive sample consists of 200 blind students from the previously mentioned setting.
Tools: Three tools were used to collect data (pre/posttests and follow up): I) Students’ interviewing
sheet to assess their characteristics and knowledge regards COVID-19. II) An observational
checklist to evaluate studied students’ practices. III) Likert scale to assess students’ attitude
regarding COVID-19. Results: The study revealed that the mean age of school students was 14.9 ±
2.2 years. There were significant differences regarding knowledge and practices about (using masks,
using hand kerchief\tissues during coughing/sneezing, washing hands frequently by water and
soaps, disinfection of surfaces, maintaining social distance, maintaining home quarantine, healthy
diet and maintaining a healthy lifestyle about COVID-19 prevention between pre, post and follow
up. Conclusions: The current study found that after implementing of the audio educational
guideline, the blind students' knowledge, practice, and attitude about COVID-19 improved.
Additionally, increase of satisfactory knowledge, competent practice and positive attitude helping
on self confidence and trust that enhance behavior and attitude toward preventive measures of
COVID-19. Recommendations: Provide schools and libraries of blind students with audio
educational guidelines about COVID-19. An orientation program should be applied for such group
of students regarding COVID-19. Insure from active involvement of bind students during the
practical sessions to recognize the probable difficulties they may encounter.