Evaluating Training Need for Epidemic Control in Three Metropolitans: Implications for COVID-19 Preparedness in Vietnam

Abstract

Upon the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, countries worldwide face a critical shortage of human resources in the health sector. Medical students are a potential task force with the capability to support the stretched health sector. This study aims to evaluate their training need for epidemic control in order to employ them effectively. A cross-sectional study was conducted using a web-based survey from December 2019 to February 2020. There were 5,786 observations collected using the snowball sampling technique. Logistic regression was applied to identify factors associated with training participation in epidemic prevention and disaster prevention. Multiple Poisson regression model was constructed to examine factors associated with the number of times they participated in sanitation training and disaster prevention activities in the previous 12 months. Sanitation and health education communication activities had the highest proportion of participants, with 76.5 and 38.4%, followed by examining and treating diseases in the community (13.4%). Those who participated in community activities had a higher number of times to participate in epidemic sanitation training and be involved in disaster prevention. This study informed the need for training programs to prepare medical students for COVID-19 epidemic responses. The training curriculum should include both theoretical approaches and contextual approaches to achieve efficient epidemic control.

Preventive behaviours and family inequalities during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study in China

“…Therefore, expanding the application of hand sanitizing by strategically placing hand sanitizers in high-traffic public places (e.g., malls, restaurants, and libraries), promoting the dissemination of up-to-date information on regulations and policies for COVID-19 prevention through the mass media [ 35 ], providing training programs for medical students that includes both theoretical and contextual approaches [ 36 ], and targeted communication to the public to improve compliance with hygiene behaviours could be worth the government’s attention [ 37 ]. Public health workers must increase public identification of preventive behaviours to foster daily exercise and hand-washing habits in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.…”

Knowledge, practice and psychological symptoms among medical laboratory staff during COVID-19 pandemic in Nepal: An online based survey

“…Though the WHO and several other national and international agencies are trying to educate the people worldwide to fight against the pandemic by providing knowledge on several health topics related to COVID-19, they have not succeeded in ending the pandemic so far. 24 , 25 COVID-19 has been a challenge for everyone, including HCWs and medical laboratory personnel. MLS are among the frontline workers who deal directly with the infectious specimen putting their own health at risk to control the pandemic.…”

Public psychological distance and spatial distribution characteristics during the COVID-19 pandemic: a Chinese context

“…Understanding the main information sources for disease prevention that these groups usually consult will encourage the adoption of more effective communication strategies with regard to these topics, so that people can acquire enough accurate knowledge to minimize the propagation of misleading information among the local public (Tran et al, 2020c ). Some studies have shown that medical students can play a more effective role in controlling an outbreak if they receive training in pandemic control and if any gaps in their training needs are addressed (Nguyen et al, 2020 ). For regions with high-risk characteristics in public health emergencies, training and playing the leading role of relevant subjects can reduce the public’s psychological insecurity and anxiety.…”