COVID-19 Awareness of the Optician Students

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine optician students’ level of COVID-19 awareness and their attitude toward the use of personal protective equipment. Material – Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted with a research population that consisted of Isparta University of Applied Sciences, Technical Sciences Vocational School, Department of Opticians students, who voluntarily participated in the study (n = 76). The questionnaire contained three parts (35 questions): demographic data (5 questions), awareness of COVID-19 (15 questions), and the transmission and prevention of COVID-19 infections at the workplace (15 questions). Results: A total of 76 students, 67.1% of whom were women, were included in the survey. In the COVID-19 awareness part of the survey, 82.9% of the respondents reported that they knew about COVID-19, and 19.7% of them defined that this infection did not cause conjunctivitis. Regarding frames, 44.7% of the respondents stated that they would avoid frame fitting during the pandemic, and 96.1% plan to disinfect them after they have been tried on by customers. Conclusion: The level of knowledge and awareness about this disease should not be compromised. The scope of our study revealed both that there is no training on this subject and the need for that training.