English

Abstract

BACKGROUND Human coronavirus (HCoV), 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), was found in Wuhan, China, which has been responsible for an immense amount of morbidity and mortality world over. In India like in most parts of the world the fight against COVID-19 is an ongoing challenge. People’s adherence of the prevention measures is essential for controlling the spread of COVID-19, which is affected by their knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) towards COVID-19. It has been established since the very onset of the pandemic that COVID-19 transmission between individuals occurs most importantly through direct contact as well as by droplets spread by coughing or sneezing of an individual who is infected. Therefore, the key to control of the disease lies having knowledge and adoption of preventive practices. Hence, the study was planned with the objective to assess knowledge, attitude and practice of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) among students in a medical college. METHODS This was a cross-sectional web-based study. A questionnaire designed on the basis of published literature and Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines was distributed online amongst students in a Medical College in North India. The mean knowledge, attitude, practices as well as demographics of the participants were assessed and scores were assigned for the same. Higher scores represented a better knowledge of COVID-19. Statistical analysis was carried out using Mann Whitney U test for gender and Kruskal Wallis test for age category. RESULTS Out of the total students with a non-response rate of 3 %, 398 participants responded, out of whom 54.52 % were males and majority (62.31 %) of the participants were in the age group of 21 - 23 years. Most of the participants were well aware about the modes of spread, main clinical symptoms and precautionary measures required for the prevention of COVID-19. CONCLUSIONS The levels of knowledge, attitude and practices were found to be positively adequate amongst most of the participants. Although encouraging, it needs to be reemphasized that continued emphasis on increasing knowledge, attitude and practices towards prevention of coronavirus disease is the key in containing this escalating pandemic. KEYWORDS Covid-19, Medical Students, Pandemic, North India