Knowledge, attitude, and practice on COVID-19 among undergraduate students of B. P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, Nepal: An online cross-sectional survey

Abstract

Background: COVID-19, a global health crisis of the 21^st century, has threatened possibly every aspect of human life. Since the pandemic is not yet over, this study was carried out among undergraduate students of a medical institute in Nepal to assess and boost their KAP status on the disease.

Material and methods: It was an online cross-sectional census survey performed among consenting undergraduate healthcare students of BPKIHS. A self-made and validated questionnaire assessing KAP on COVID-19 was prepared in Google form and distributed online among target students. The study population was 745. Both descriptive and inferential analysis of the data was performed. Student’s T-Test and one-way ANOVA were applied for which level of statistical significance was kept at p<0.05.

Results: Ninety-six students participated in a pilot-study (Cronbach α= 0.792). The response rate was 76.27%. Most participants (76.76%) were from Nepal.  The male/female ratio was 0.76. Most (59.2%) had not participated in such studies before. For 93.54%, the source of information was the internet. Assessed by questionnaire, right Knowledge (n=16) was 85.06% ± 8.81%; right Attitude (n=6) was 65.00% ± 16.16 and right Practice (n=6) was 82.88%± 8.50%. Male were more knowledgeable about the disease (p=0.011). However, females secured higher in practical aspects (p=0.000). Indian students possessed better knowledge (p=0.005) and a better attitude (p=0.033). MBBS students had better knowledge (p=0.000), but Nursing students secured higher in Practice (p=0.012). Attitude is better in the earlier years (p=0.045).

Conclusion: We assessed KAP related to COVID-19 via score among healthcare undergraduate students. Different co-factors do impact students’ overall KAP status.