Study of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice among the Nursing Students Regarding COVID-19 Preparedness in A Rural Tertiary Care Center in Eastern India

Abstract

The present pregression of the highly contagious novel coronavirus [COVID-19] has been testing the
healthcare system globally pressing the medical staff everywhere. Present and future healthcare workers’
updated knowledge, proper attitude towards the pandemic and adequate preventive practices are of
paramount importance for the combat effectiveness of the healthcare burden.This study assessed the
knowledge, practice and attitudes regarding COVID-19 among the nursing students of a tertiary care center
in Eastern India. KAP scores were compared with their socio-demographic variables. Inter-relation between
knowledge, attitude and practice was also assessed.Out of the 131 students participated in the study the KAP
parameters were not significantly different based on the socio-demographic factors. Though knowledge
and attitude parameters were positively correlated among them, it was found that practice was negatively
correlated to both knowledge and attitude. This finding can be attributed to them being non-exposed and
inexperienced in the regular healthcare activities as well to the fact that Indian population was to some extent
unprepared to cope up with this type of epidemic for a long time. Training on the updated knowledge along
with exposure to simulated environment with scheduled supervision to reflect the behavior of the students
is of great importance so that in extreme situation, the trainee students can also come handy into utilization
if needed.