Virus-related Knowledge in Covid-19 Times - Results from two Cross-sectional Studies in Austria and Implications for School

Abstract

Viruses have become a prominent issue in public health, politics and economics due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Yet they have still met little attention in educational research, although misconceptions concerning viruses may contribute to antibiotics misuse, disbelief in existence of viruses and distrust in vaccination. We investigated knowledge and attitudes in Austria concerning Covid-19, viruses in general and vaccination. We conducted two cross-sectional online surveys. Study A was performed Austrianwide (N = 1027), study B specifically targeted Austrian students from middle and high schools (N = 1728). Several participants did not believe in the existence of SARS-CoV-2. General vaccination damage was highly overrated. Many defined viruses as unicellular organisms or bacteria, and 6-10 % believed that they can be killed by antibiotics. Very many participants were unable to identify, whether a specific disease was caused by a virus or another pathogen. Knowledge was significantly correlated with level of education/grade and interest in virology. Additionally, willingness to become vaccinated was significantly correlated with knowledge. Many participants felt insufficiently informed about viruses at school. We strongly recommend that virus-related school education must highly improve to enable the population to correctly assess health-related information, counter fake news and come to scientifically informed decisions.

Accuracy of COVID-19 relevant knowledge among youth: Number of information sources matters

“…Regardless of how and where they search for information, how much young people know about the pandemic is unclear. Austrian adolescents surveyed during the pandemic generally demonstrated low levels of general knowledge about viruses and vaccination [ 51 ]. These studies [ 49 – 51 ] offset the relative paucity of research on how youth seek science and health information about the pandemic outside of what occurs in schools.…”

“…Austrian adolescents surveyed during the pandemic generally demonstrated low levels of general knowledge about viruses and vaccination [ 51 ]. These studies [ 49 – 51 ] offset the relative paucity of research on how youth seek science and health information about the pandemic outside of what occurs in schools. Studies from before the COVID-19 pandemic that examined adolescents’ understanding of viral diseases and epidemiology indicate generally low levels of knowledge [ 52 ].…”

Development of CIRCSA-Based E-module on Virus Materials to Train Students' Critical Thinking and Scientific Literacy

“…Viruses are one of the biological materials taught in high school. In early 2020, a virus named SARS-CoV-2 caused a global pandemic that affected human life critically (Bracko & Simon, 2022). Therefore, it is essential to emphasize virus concepts to students.…”

Virology in Schoolbooks—A Comprehensive Analysis of Austrian Biology Textbooks for Secondary School and Implications for Improvement

“…On the contrary, the COVID-19 pandemic has probably had physical, mental, economical, and/or social impacts on most people worldwide. The causal agent of viral diseases-viruses-are non-living particles very distinct from living organisms and even bacteria, although they are often misleadingly placed under the heading "micro-organisms" and understood by many as a kind of unicellular living being [1,2]. Viruses display a wide variety of structures, with some viruses even making use of host cell membrane components; for replication, they depend on host cells, which can be any living organism, though individual viruses may be very host-specific [2].…”

“…-Understand what viruses really are, e.g., non-living particles, which is biological knowledge that is valuable on its own, but also highly relevant for everyday situations (see next points). -Counter fake news, e.g., the belief that viruses causing measles or COVID-19 do not exist but are an invention of politicians and the pharmaceutical industry; that they are harmless, and their danger is exaggerated by governments and industries; and that they may be killed off by antibiotics [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]. -Realise how we can protect ourselves and others against viral infections, which is an important issue both for individual well-being and public health.…”