RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 COVID-19 Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of United Arab Emirates Medical and Health Sciences Students: A Cross Sectional Study
JF bioRxiv
FD Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
SP 2021.01.19.427250
DO 10.1101/2021.01.19.427250
A1 Noura Baniyas
A1 Mohamud Sheek-Hussein
A1 Nouf Al Kaabi
A1 Maitha Al Shamsi
A1 Maitha Al Neyadi
A1 Rauda Al Khoori
A1 Suad Ajab
A1 Muhammad Abid
A1 Michael Grivna
A1 Fikri M. Abu Zidan
YR 2021
UL http://biorxiv.org/content/early/2021/01/19/2021.01.19.427250.abstract
AB COVID-19 pandemic is the largest unprecedented viral pandemic of the 21st century. We aimed to study the COVID-19 knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) among medical and health sciences students in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). We performed a cross-sectional study between 2nd June and 19th August 2020. The survey was developed using online Survey Monkey. The link was distributed via UAE University to all students and via WhatsApp© groups. The self-administered questionnaire was conducted in English and comprised of two parts: socio-demographic characteristics and KAP towards COVID-19. A total of 712 responses to the questionnaire were collected. 90% (n=695) were under-graduate, while 10% (n=81) were post-graduate students. Majority (87%, n=647) stated that they obtained COVID-19 information from multiple reliable sources. They were highly knowledgeable about COVID-19 pandemic but 76% (n=539) did not recognize its routes of transmission. 63% (n=431) were worried of getting COVID-19, while 92% (n=633)) were worried that a family member could get infected with the virus. 97% (n=655) took precautions when accepting home deliveries, 94% (n=637) had been washing their hands more frequently, and 95% (n=643) had been wearing face masks. In conclusion, participants showed high levels of knowledge and awareness about COVID-19. They were worried about getting infected themselves or their family members, and had good practices against COVID-19.AbbreviationsSARS-CoV-2Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2COVID-19Coronavirus disease 2019HCWHealthcare workersICUIntensive care unitILOInternational Labour OrganizationIFADThe International Fund for Agricultural DevelopmentWHOWorld health organizationFAOFood and Agriculture OrganizationKAPknowledge, attitudes, and practicesUAEUnited Arab EmiratesUAEUUnited Arab Emirates University