Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) knowledge and perception among medical students in Ajman United Arab Emirates: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the COVID-19 related knowledge, practice and attitudes amongst medical students (MS) at Ajman University. Methods: A cross-sectional, web-based study was conducted among Ajman medical college students about COVID-19 during April and May 2020. A questionnaire was developed and distributed to all MS to examine their knowledge, practice and attitudes towards COVID-19 pandemic. Non-parametric tests were used to estimate the difference between the selected variables in relation to different parameters while independent t-test and ANOVA were used to estimate the difference between the independent parameters in relation to the total scoring. Results: Eighty-two students responded to the questionnaire (response rate 76.0%), more than half of the participants were females (64.6%), and aged between 18-20 years. Most of the participants (82.9%) were aware of the UAE government COVID19 task force and 96.3% of the students had good knowledge about COVID-19 symptoms (96.3%), route of transmission (79.3%) and the current available treatment or vaccination for COVID -19 (80.5%),students used social media (69.5%) to obtain information about COVID-19 and showed positive perceptions of COVID-19 prevention and control measures. Conclusion: Ajman University medical students have sufficient knowledge of COVID-19 pandemic and implemented proper strategies to prevent COVID-19 spread. It is obligation of academic institutions to promote effective infection control training to protect patients, health care workers and students by encouraging safer working practices in the clinics sitting.