Knowledge, Attitude and Compliance with Precautionary Measures of Covid-19 among Medical and Non-Medical University Students in Egypt: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study

Mohammed Saad Khaled, Asmaa; Aly Yakout, Rasha; Salama Hashem, Eshrak

doi:10.21608/ejhc.2023.314749

Knowledge, Attitude and Compliance with Precautionary Measures of Covid-19 among Medical and Non-Medical University Students in Egypt: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Lecturer of Community Health Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Alexandria University, Egypt

² Assist Professor of Medical- Surgical Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Alexandria University, Egypt.

³ Lecturer of Medical- Surgical Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Alexandria University, Egypt.

10.21608/ejhc.2023.314749

Abstract

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a public health emergency of international concern, it has no actual treatment, nevertheless early recognition of the disease symptoms, and looking for supportive care and the preventive measures will help to lessen the virus spread. Aim of the study: This study aimed to assess knowledge, attitude, and compliance with precautionary measures toward COVID-19 among medical and non-medical University students in Alexandria. Study design: An online cross-sectional exploratory survey research design. Setting: This study was conducted in eight faculties affiliated to Alexandria University. Subjects: Convenient sample of 1600 University students, 800 from medical and 800 from non – medical Faculties. Tools: Students socio -demographic characteristics and “COVID-19 Survey Structured Questionnaire” to assess students’ knowledge, attitude, and precautionary preventive measures regarding COVID-19. Results: The results of this study showed that majority of the university students in both groups had good knowledge about COVID-19 from different sources, while the total attitude score of both study group students was statistically significant, on the other hand, the majority of nursing students had satisfactory performance Meanwhile, more than half only of the other students of both groups had satisfactory performance. Conclusion: The study concluded that university students in our survey had good knowledge about COVID-19, medical students who were enrolled to the faculty of Nursing, Pharmacy and Dentistry had a positive attitude regarding COVID -19 compared to nonmedical students who enrolled to faculty of Commerce and Art had negative attitude. Recommendations: It is essential to raise awareness among university students about Covid-19 by community mobilization campaigns to boost the community awareness about COVID-19 to maintain students ‘positive attitude.

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