Medical students’ knowledge about COVID-19 and evaluation of the effectiveness of the applied preventive strategies

Abstract

Background SARS-CoV-2 is a novel coronavirus which has caused a global pandemic. Due to the lack of available treatment for COVID-19 infections, prevention plays the most important role in combating the virus. Educational programs among students of medical faculties is necessary, because in the future they will act as health educators in the healthcare system. The aim of the study is to assess the students’ knowledge as an initial stage to the implementation of further preventive strategies against the spread of SARS-CoV-2 virus infections and to the evaluation of the effectiveness of the implemented preventive measures by continuous monitoring of the number of implemented administrative procedures. Methods The study involved 482 students of medical faculties. Participants completed a questionnaire based on knowledge about the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Additionally, a number of preventive measures were introduced, including vaccination against COVID-19. During the entire period of the study, the number of administrative procedures (isolation and quarantine) were monitored. Results The results of the knowledge test about COVID-19 were generally low and amounted to 11.0 (SD = 2.2). Significant differences in knowledge about COVID-19 between students of particular medical faculties were found. The most appropriate answers to questions about the incubation time of the SARS-CoV-2 virus were given by students of medicine (55%), followed by nursing (42.14%) and pharmacy (26%) students. Nursing students were the most correct in identifying the 3 main symptoms of COVID-19 (91.07%), followed by students of medicine (85.83%), and finally dentistry (77.27%) and pharmacy (76.67%) students. The Median (IQR) of students quarantined or isolating during steps 1, 2, 3, and 4 was 117,5 (142); 40 (43); 38, (20); and 9,5 (15), respectively. Conclusion Students of certain faculties showed a low level of knowledge about transmission routes and procedures for dealing with a person suspected of being infected with SARS-CoV-2 or who has tested positive for COVID-19. Additional educational programs were conducted among medical students, along with other prevention strategies, which contributed to a decrease in the number of applied administrative procedures (isolation or quarantine).

Knowledge and practices toward COVID-19 among healthcare students: A cross-sectional study at the University of Zambia

“…For instance, a study in Vietnam found that most students had good knowledge (86.6%) about COVID-19 and the prevention measures ( 26 ), similar to findings from Ethiopia ( 70 ). However, our findings suggest that the level of knowledge of COVID-19 was not independently associated with students' programs of study, which is contrary to findings from a study done in Poland where significant differences were observed between students of different training programs ( 27 ). Although no significant difference was reported regarding knowledge of COVID-19 across study programs in our study, medical students scored higher compared to other study programs.…”

“…Although no significant difference was reported regarding knowledge of COVID-19 across study programs in our study, medical students scored higher compared to other study programs. This is similar to what was found in Poland in which medical students had better knowledge of COVID-19 compared to other students from other programs ( 27 ). These findings could be attributed to the fact that medical students are exposed to clinical practice early and attend several hospital meetings.…”

“…Variable findings have been reported, including high knowledge among students in India (24, 25) and Vietnam (26). Conversely, low knowledge levels were observed in Poland and China (27,28). A study in sub-Saharan Africa reported good knowledge among students in selected institutions (29).…”