IJCM_167A: A cross sectional study on the preparedness and mitigation strategies for the second wave of COVID-19 among health science students in Mangalore

Abstract

Background: The second wave of COVID-19 severely affected the healthcare workforce, including doctors, nurses, public servants, and medical students, even though the system was better prepared than the first wave. Objectives: To assess the preparedness and preventive measures of the health science students towards the second wave of COVID-19. Methodology: The study has been carried out in Kasturba Medical College (KMC) and Manipal College of Dental Sciences (MCODS), Mangalore, after getting approval from the institutional ethics committee (IEC) and concerned deans of institutions. The responses to the questionnaires have been taken in for analysis which constitutes three parts. The chi-square test was applied to compare the variables between medical and other health sciences students considering the significant P value less than 0.05. Results: The overall readiness regarding the surge in COVID-19 cases in India among our study participants was 99.3% which was highest among AHS students. Many of the students in the study showed passion and were prepared to assist health professionals at Health and Triage centres, with the highest distribution in AHS (97.2%), BDS (87%), and MBBS (85.8%). They believed that adequate protective gear and infection testing were needed for an effective return to the clinical setting. Conclusion: Ultimately, the health science student population in the study settings possesses sufficient resources and knowledge to combat the second wave of COVID-19. However, a certain shortcoming remains in the form of laxity toward preventive measures and social exclusion.