A cross-sectional study of COVID-19-related knowledge, risk perceptions, and preventive practices among pharmacy students in Bangladesh

Abstract

Objectives: The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic is a threat to public health that impacts the life of frontline pharmacists as they are more susceptible to getting infected by the coronavirus. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, risk perceptions, and preventive practices associated with coronavirus disease 2019 among pharmacy students of Bangladesh to evaluate their preparedness as future frontline workers against the ongoing pandemic. Methods: An online-based cross-sectional study was conducted among pharmacy undergraduate students of Bangladesh during the early months of the pandemic in April 2020. Respondents voluntarily submitted an online questionnaire regarding sociodemographics, knowledge, risk perceptions, and preventive practices related to coronavirus disease 2019. Results: A total of 418 participants submitted their responses, and we included 395 responses for final analysis. The mean age of the participants was 20.65 years. The study revealed that out of 395 pharmacy students, 68 (17.2%) had high levels of knowledge, 210 (53.2%) possessed high risk perceptions regarding coronavirus disease 2019, and 165 (41.7%) were adopting high levels of preventive practices. Average scores for knowledge, risk perceptions, and preventive practices were 5.7, 8.4, and 8.2 out of 10. Chi-square test and logistic regression analyses showed that having high knowledge levels was associated with high risk perceptions regarding coronavirus disease 2019. Similarly, higher risk perceptions were associated with having high knowledge and preventive measures, while higher preventive measures were associated with female gender, low monthly family income, and having high risk perceptions. Conclusion: We found moderate knowledge, risk perceptions, and preventive practices related to coronavirus disease 2019 among the undergraduate pharmacy students. We recommend awareness-building discussions or seminars focusing on pharmacy students. In addition, the upgradation of the existing curriculum may help future pharmacists.

Prevalence and associated risk factors for mental health problems among female university students during COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study findings from Dhaka, Bangladesh

“…Poor mental health significantly reduces the quality of life, hampers daily functioning, and develops other physical complications 15 , 25 , 26 . Also, the pandemic crisis has tremendously impacted the health and well-being of students due to the altered teaching and learning approaches and discontinuation of classroom teaching 27 , 28 , 29 . Because students are more vulnerable, and any disturbance throughout the study period has far-reaching long-term implications [ 30 ].…”

Burden of COVID‐19 on health and wellbeing, education, and economy of Bangladesh

“…A study highlighted that undergraduate pharmacy students have a fair amount of information on coronavirus illness 2019 and a moderate understanding of the risks it poses. 10 We are lucky enough that after one year of pandemic scientists developed the vaccine, however, the participants' general lack of knowledge and perspective was revealed to have considerably reduced their willingness to receive vaccinations 11 and vaccination program faced challenges because of halting the shipment of the serum institute of India. 12 Developed countries vaccinate their citizens more quickly than low-and middle-income countries (LMICs).…”

“…Besides, unwillingness to meet physicians could arise due to the phobia of getting infected in the high‐risk zone, such as the hospital environment. A study highlighted that undergraduate pharmacy students have a fair amount of information on coronavirus illness 2019 and a moderate understanding of the risks it poses 10 . We are lucky enough that after one year of pandemic scientists developed the vaccine, however, the participants' general lack of knowledge and perspective was revealed to have considerably reduced their willingness to receive vaccinations 11 and vaccination program faced challenges because of halting the shipment of the serum institute of India 12 .…”

The Upsurge of Diarrhea Amid COVID-19 Pandemic Makes Matter Worse in Bangladesh: A Call to Action

“…The COVID-19 pandemic has tremendously impacted physical, emotional, and social well-being worldwide. It has negatively affected the standard of living of human life worldwide ( Das et al, 2021 ; Daria & Islam, 2022a ; Ether et al, 2022 ; Hossain et al, 2022 ; Hossain, Soma, Bari, et al, 2021 ; M. R. Islam, Daria, et al, 2021 ; M. R. Islam, Quaiyum, et al, 2021 ; M. R. Islam & Hossain, 2021a , 2021b ). On March 8, 2020, Bangladesh confirmed its first COVID-19 case among its citizen ( Moona et al, 2021 ).…”