Knowledge, attitude and anxiety of medical students about the current COVID-19 outbreak in Turkey

Burkay Yakar; Türkkan Öztürk Kaygusuz; Edibe Pirinçci; Erhan Önalan; Yusuf Haydar Ertekin

doi:10.22391/fppc.737469

Research Article

Tıp fakültesi öğrencilerinin Türkiye'deki mevcut COVID-19 salgını hakkında bilgi, tutum ve kaygıları

Year 2020, Volume: 5 Issue: 2, 36 - 44, 22.05.2020

Burkay Yakar , Türkkan Öztürk Kaygusuz , Edibe Pirinçci , Erhan Önalan , Yusuf Haydar Ertekin

https://doi.org/10.22391/fppc.737469

Cited By: 34

Abstract

Giriş: Bu çalışmanın amacı tıp fakültesi öğrencilerinin COVID-19 hakkındaki bilgi, tutum ve davranışlarını ve salgının öğrencilerin kaygı düzeyleri üzerindeki etkisini değerlendirmektir.
Yöntem: Kesitsel araştırma 07-14 Nisan tarihleri arasında, tıp fakültesi öğrencilerine uygulanan online anket formları ile gerçekleştirilmiştir. Fakültedeki her iki öğrenciden birine sistematik örnekleme yöntemi kullanılarak bir anket formu whats-up üzerinden gönderilmiştir. Toplam 530 gönüllü çalışmaya dahil edildi. Katılımcıların sosyodemografik özellikleri, COVID-19 salgını hakkında ki bilgi ve tutumları anket formları ile elde edilmiştir. Katılımcıların kaygı düzeyleri Durumluk-Sürekli kaygı envanteri ile ölçülmüştür.
Bulgular: Çalışmaya dahil edilen 530 tıp öğrencisinin bilgi soruları doğru cevap ortalaması 7.83 ± 1.27, tutum anket puan ortalaması ise 45.18 ± 5.12 idi. Katılımcılar COVID-19'a karşı yeterli bilgi ve olumlu tutuma sahipti. Klinik dönem öğrencilerinin bilgi puanı (p<0.001) ve tutum puanı (p=0.025) preklinik öğrencilerden daha yüksek saptandı. Bilgi puanı erkeklerde daha yüksek iken (p = 0.033), tutum puanı kadınlarda daha yüksekti (p <0.001). Tutum puanları ile durumluk (p = 0.003) ve sürekli kaygı puanları (p <0.001) arasında negatif korelasyon saptandı.
Sonuç: Tıp öğrencileri COVID-19 hakkında yeterli bilgi ve olumlu davranışa sahipti. Salgının neden olduğu kaygı, katılımcıların olumlu tutum sergilemelerini azaltabilir.

Keywords

COVID-19, yeni tip koronavirüs, SARS-CoV-2, tıp fakültesi öğrencisi, tutum, bilgi, kaygı

References

1. The Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia Emergency Response Epidemiology Team. The epidemiological characteristics of an outbreak of 2019 novel coronavirus diseases (COVID-19) in China. Chin J Epidemiol 2020;41:145-1. https://doi.org/10.3760/cma.j.issn.0254-6450.2020.02.003
2. Chen N, Zhou M, Dong X, Qu J, Gong F, Han Y, et al. Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of 99 cases of 2019 novel coronavirus pneumonia in Wuhan, China: a descriptive study. Lancet 2020;395:507-3. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)30211-7
3. Jiang S, Shi Z, Shu Y, Song J, Gao GF, Tan W, et al. A distinct name is needed for the new coronavirus. Lancet 2020;395(10228):949. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)30419-0
4. Guo YR, Cao QD, Hong ZS, Tan YY, Chen SD, Jin HJ, et al. The origin, transmission and clinical therapies on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak - an update on the status. Mil Med Res 2020;7(1):11. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40779-020-00240-0
5. Alsahafi AJ, Cheng AC. Knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of healthcare workers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to MERS Coronavirus and other emerging infectious diseases. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2016;13(12):1214. https://dx.doi.org/10.3390%2Fijerph13121214
6. Kang L, Li Y, Hu S, Chen M, Yang C, Yang BX, et al. The mental health of medical workers in Wuhan, China dealing with the 2019 novel coronavirus. Lancet Psychiatry 2020;7(3):e14. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(20)30047-X
7. Cao W, Fang Z, Hou G, Han M, Xu X, Dong J, et al. The psychological impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on college students in China. Psychiatry Res 2020;287:112934. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2020.112934
8. Loh LC, Ali AM, Ang TH, Chelliah A. Impact of a spreading epidemic on medical students. Malays J Med Sci 2006;13(2):30‐6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22589602
9. COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2 infection) guide. T.C. Ministry of Health, April 2020. Available at: https://covid19bilgi.saglik.gov.tr/depo/rehberler/COVID-19_Rehberi.pdf (Access Date: April 29, 2020) (in Turkish)
10. Person B, Sy F, Holton K, Govert B, Liang A, National Center for Inectious Diseases SCOT. Fear and stigma: the epidemic within the SARS outbreak. Emerg Infect Dis 2004;10:358-63. https://doi.org/10.3201/eid1002.030750
11. T.C. Ministry of Health. Suggestions for Avoiding COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus Disease) Available at: https://covid19bilgi.saglik.gov.tr/tr/covid-19-yeni-koronavirus-hastaligi-na-yakalanmamak-i-cin-oneriler (Access Date: April 29, 2020) (in Turkish)
12. Oner N, Le Compte A. State Trait Anxiety Inventory Handbook. 2. Ed, Istanbul, Bogazici University Publications, 1985.
13. Johnson ED, Hariharan S. Public health awareness: knowledge, attitude and behaviour of the general public on health risks during the H1N1 influenza pandemic. J Public Health 2017;25(3):333-7. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-017-0790-7
14. Taghrir MH, Borazjani R, Shiraly R. COVID-19 and Iranian Medical Students; A Survey on Their Related-Knowledge, Preventive Behaviors and Risk Perception. Arch Iran Med 2020;23(4):249-4. https://doi.org/10.34172/aim.2020.06
15. Modi PD, Nair G, Uppe A, Modi J, Tuppekar B, Gharpure AS, et al. COVID-19 Awareness among healthcare students and professionals in mumbai metropolitan region: a questionnaire-based survey. Cureus 2020;12(4):e7514. https://doi.org/https:/10.7759/cureus.7514
16. Khan MU, Shah S, Ahmad A, Fatokun O. Knowledge and attitude of healthcare workers about Middle East Respiratory Syndrome in multispecialty hospitals of Qassim, Saudi Arabia. BMC Public Health 2014;14:1281. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-14-1281
17. Huynh G, Han Nguyen TN, Tran VK, Ngan Vo K, Tam Vo V, An Pham L. Knowledge and attitude toward COVID-19 among healthcare workers at District 2 Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City. Asian Pac J Trop Med 2020;13. https://doi.org/10.4103/1995-7645.280396
18. Nemati M, Ebrahimi B, Nemati F. Assessment of Iranian nurses’ knowledge and anxiety toward COVID-19 during the current outbreak in Iran. Arch Clin Infect Dis 2020;15:e102848. https://doi.org/10.5812/archcid.102848.
19. Elrggal ME, Karami NA, Rafea B, Alahmadi L, Al Shehri A, Alamoudi R, et al. Evaluation of preparedness of healthcare student volunteers against Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in Makkah, Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study. Z Gesundh Wiss 2018;26(6):607-2. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-018-0917-5
20. Al-Mohrej A, Agha S. Are Saudi medical students aware of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus during an outbreak? J Infect Public Health 2017;10(4):388-5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jiph.2016.06.013
21. Zhong BL, Luo W, Li HM, Zhang QQ, Liu XG, Li WT, et al. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards COVID-19 among Chinese residents during the rapid rise period of the COVID-19 outbreak: a quick online cross-sectional survey. Int J Biol Sci 2020;16(10):1745–2. https://dx.doi.org/10.7150%2Fijbs.45221
22. Abbag HF, El-Mekki AA, Al Bshabshe AAA, Mahfouz AA, Al-Dosry AA, Mirdad RT, et al. Knowledge and attitude towards the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus among healthcare personnel in the southern region of Saudi Arabia. J Infect Public Health 2018;11(5):720-2. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jiph.2018.02.001
23. Abdullah J. Alsahafi, Allen C. Cheng. Knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of healthcare workers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to MERS Coronavirus and other emerging infectious diseases. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2016;13(12):1214. https://dx.doi.org/10.3390%2Fijerph13121214
24. Banerjee D. The COVID-19 outbreak: Crucial role the psychiatrists can play. Asian J Psychiatry 2020;50:102014. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajp.2020.102014
25. Al-Rabiaah A, Temsah MH, Al-Eyadhy AA, Hasan GM, Al-Zamil F, Al-Subaie S, et al. Middle East Respiratory Syndrome-Corona Virus (MERS-CoV) associated stress among medical students at a university teaching hospital in Saudi Arabia. J Infect Public Health 2020; pii: S1876-0341(20)30005-8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jiph.2020.01.005
26. Mishra P, Bhadauria US, Dasar PL, Sandesh N, Kumar S, Lalani A, et al. Knowledge, attitude and anxiety towards pandemic flu a potential bio weapon among health professionals in Indore City. Przegl Epidemiol 2016;70(1):41-5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27344473
27. Huang Y, Zhao N. Generalized anxiety disorder, depressive symptoms and sleep quality during COVID-19 epidemic in China: A web-based cross-sectional survey. MedRxiv 2020. http://dx.doi.org/10.1101/2020.02.19.20025395
28. Roy D, Tripathy S, Kar SK, Sharma N, Verma SK, Kaushal V. Study of knowledge, attitude, anxiety & perceived mental healthcare need in Indian population during COVID-19 pandemic. Asian J Psychiatr 2020;51:102083. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.ajp.2020.102083

Knowledge, attitude and anxiety of medical students about the current COVID-19 outbreak in Turkey

Year 2020, Volume: 5 Issue: 2, 36 - 44, 22.05.2020

Burkay Yakar , Türkkan Öztürk Kaygusuz , Edibe Pirinçci , Erhan Önalan , Yusuf Haydar Ertekin

https://doi.org/10.22391/fppc.737469

Cited By: 34

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitude, and behavior of medical students about the COVID-19 and the effect of the outbreak on the students' anxiety levels.
Methods: The cross-sectional study was carried out between 07-14 April, with the online questionnaire forms applied to the medical students. A questionnaire forms were sent to one of every two students in the faculty using the systematic sampling method. A total of 530 volunteers were included in the study. The data was collected through a self-administered questionnaire of the socio-demographic characteristics, opinions about the epidemic, knowledge, and attitude of medical students regarding COVID-19. Anxiety levels of the participants were measured with the State-Trait anxiety inventory.
Results: A total of 530 medical students had a mean score of knowledge and attitude of 7.83±1.27 and 45.18±5.12, respectively. Participants demonstrated good knowledge and a positive attitude towards COVID-19. Clinical period students had a higher level of knowledge (p<0.001) and positive attitude (p=0.025) compared to preclinical students. While the knowledge score was higher in men (p = 0.033), the attitude score was higher in women (p <0.001). There was a negative correlation between attitude scores and state (p=0.003) and trait anxiety scores (p<0.001).
Conclusion: Medical students had sufficient knowledge and attitude towards COVID-19. Anxiety caused by the outbreak may have negative effects on the positive attitudes of the participants.

Keywords

COVID-19, novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, medical student, attitude, knowledge, anxiety

References

1. The Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia Emergency Response Epidemiology Team. The epidemiological characteristics of an outbreak of 2019 novel coronavirus diseases (COVID-19) in China. Chin J Epidemiol 2020;41:145-1. https://doi.org/10.3760/cma.j.issn.0254-6450.2020.02.003
2. Chen N, Zhou M, Dong X, Qu J, Gong F, Han Y, et al. Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of 99 cases of 2019 novel coronavirus pneumonia in Wuhan, China: a descriptive study. Lancet 2020;395:507-3. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)30211-7
3. Jiang S, Shi Z, Shu Y, Song J, Gao GF, Tan W, et al. A distinct name is needed for the new coronavirus. Lancet 2020;395(10228):949. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)30419-0
4. Guo YR, Cao QD, Hong ZS, Tan YY, Chen SD, Jin HJ, et al. The origin, transmission and clinical therapies on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak - an update on the status. Mil Med Res 2020;7(1):11. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40779-020-00240-0
5. Alsahafi AJ, Cheng AC. Knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of healthcare workers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to MERS Coronavirus and other emerging infectious diseases. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2016;13(12):1214. https://dx.doi.org/10.3390%2Fijerph13121214
6. Kang L, Li Y, Hu S, Chen M, Yang C, Yang BX, et al. The mental health of medical workers in Wuhan, China dealing with the 2019 novel coronavirus. Lancet Psychiatry 2020;7(3):e14. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(20)30047-X
7. Cao W, Fang Z, Hou G, Han M, Xu X, Dong J, et al. The psychological impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on college students in China. Psychiatry Res 2020;287:112934. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2020.112934
8. Loh LC, Ali AM, Ang TH, Chelliah A. Impact of a spreading epidemic on medical students. Malays J Med Sci 2006;13(2):30‐6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22589602
9. COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2 infection) guide. T.C. Ministry of Health, April 2020. Available at: https://covid19bilgi.saglik.gov.tr/depo/rehberler/COVID-19_Rehberi.pdf (Access Date: April 29, 2020) (in Turkish)
10. Person B, Sy F, Holton K, Govert B, Liang A, National Center for Inectious Diseases SCOT. Fear and stigma: the epidemic within the SARS outbreak. Emerg Infect Dis 2004;10:358-63. https://doi.org/10.3201/eid1002.030750
11. T.C. Ministry of Health. Suggestions for Avoiding COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus Disease) Available at: https://covid19bilgi.saglik.gov.tr/tr/covid-19-yeni-koronavirus-hastaligi-na-yakalanmamak-i-cin-oneriler (Access Date: April 29, 2020) (in Turkish)
12. Oner N, Le Compte A. State Trait Anxiety Inventory Handbook. 2. Ed, Istanbul, Bogazici University Publications, 1985.
13. Johnson ED, Hariharan S. Public health awareness: knowledge, attitude and behaviour of the general public on health risks during the H1N1 influenza pandemic. J Public Health 2017;25(3):333-7. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-017-0790-7
14. Taghrir MH, Borazjani R, Shiraly R. COVID-19 and Iranian Medical Students; A Survey on Their Related-Knowledge, Preventive Behaviors and Risk Perception. Arch Iran Med 2020;23(4):249-4. https://doi.org/10.34172/aim.2020.06
15. Modi PD, Nair G, Uppe A, Modi J, Tuppekar B, Gharpure AS, et al. COVID-19 Awareness among healthcare students and professionals in mumbai metropolitan region: a questionnaire-based survey. Cureus 2020;12(4):e7514. https://doi.org/https:/10.7759/cureus.7514
16. Khan MU, Shah S, Ahmad A, Fatokun O. Knowledge and attitude of healthcare workers about Middle East Respiratory Syndrome in multispecialty hospitals of Qassim, Saudi Arabia. BMC Public Health 2014;14:1281. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-14-1281
17. Huynh G, Han Nguyen TN, Tran VK, Ngan Vo K, Tam Vo V, An Pham L. Knowledge and attitude toward COVID-19 among healthcare workers at District 2 Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City. Asian Pac J Trop Med 2020;13. https://doi.org/10.4103/1995-7645.280396
18. Nemati M, Ebrahimi B, Nemati F. Assessment of Iranian nurses’ knowledge and anxiety toward COVID-19 during the current outbreak in Iran. Arch Clin Infect Dis 2020;15:e102848. https://doi.org/10.5812/archcid.102848.
19. Elrggal ME, Karami NA, Rafea B, Alahmadi L, Al Shehri A, Alamoudi R, et al. Evaluation of preparedness of healthcare student volunteers against Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in Makkah, Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study. Z Gesundh Wiss 2018;26(6):607-2. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-018-0917-5
20. Al-Mohrej A, Agha S. Are Saudi medical students aware of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus during an outbreak? J Infect Public Health 2017;10(4):388-5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jiph.2016.06.013
21. Zhong BL, Luo W, Li HM, Zhang QQ, Liu XG, Li WT, et al. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards COVID-19 among Chinese residents during the rapid rise period of the COVID-19 outbreak: a quick online cross-sectional survey. Int J Biol Sci 2020;16(10):1745–2. https://dx.doi.org/10.7150%2Fijbs.45221
22. Abbag HF, El-Mekki AA, Al Bshabshe AAA, Mahfouz AA, Al-Dosry AA, Mirdad RT, et al. Knowledge and attitude towards the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus among healthcare personnel in the southern region of Saudi Arabia. J Infect Public Health 2018;11(5):720-2. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jiph.2018.02.001
23. Abdullah J. Alsahafi, Allen C. Cheng. Knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of healthcare workers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to MERS Coronavirus and other emerging infectious diseases. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2016;13(12):1214. https://dx.doi.org/10.3390%2Fijerph13121214
24. Banerjee D. The COVID-19 outbreak: Crucial role the psychiatrists can play. Asian J Psychiatry 2020;50:102014. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajp.2020.102014
25. Al-Rabiaah A, Temsah MH, Al-Eyadhy AA, Hasan GM, Al-Zamil F, Al-Subaie S, et al. Middle East Respiratory Syndrome-Corona Virus (MERS-CoV) associated stress among medical students at a university teaching hospital in Saudi Arabia. J Infect Public Health 2020; pii: S1876-0341(20)30005-8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jiph.2020.01.005
26. Mishra P, Bhadauria US, Dasar PL, Sandesh N, Kumar S, Lalani A, et al. Knowledge, attitude and anxiety towards pandemic flu a potential bio weapon among health professionals in Indore City. Przegl Epidemiol 2016;70(1):41-5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27344473
27. Huang Y, Zhao N. Generalized anxiety disorder, depressive symptoms and sleep quality during COVID-19 epidemic in China: A web-based cross-sectional survey. MedRxiv 2020. http://dx.doi.org/10.1101/2020.02.19.20025395
28. Roy D, Tripathy S, Kar SK, Sharma N, Verma SK, Kaushal V. Study of knowledge, attitude, anxiety & perceived mental healthcare need in Indian population during COVID-19 pandemic. Asian J Psychiatr 2020;51:102083. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.ajp.2020.102083

There are 28 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language	English
Subjects	Clinical Sciences
Journal Section	Original Research
Authors	Burkay Yakar 0000-0003-2745-6561 Türkkan Öztürk Kaygusuz 0000-0002-4151-5903 Edibe Pirinçci 0000-0002-1344-4562 Erhan Önalan 0000-0001-5395-0390 Yusuf Haydar Ertekin 0000-0002-2016-9159
Publication Date	May 22, 2020
Submission Date	May 14, 2020
Acceptance Date	May 19, 2020
Published in Issue	Year 2020 Volume: 5 Issue: 2

Cite

APA	Yakar, B., Öztürk Kaygusuz, T., Pirinçci, E., Önalan, E., et al. (2020). Knowledge, attitude and anxiety of medical students about the current COVID-19 outbreak in Turkey. Family Practice and Palliative Care, 5(2), 36-44. https://doi.org/10.22391/fppc.737469
AMA	Yakar B, Öztürk Kaygusuz T, Pirinçci E, Önalan E, Ertekin YH. Knowledge, attitude and anxiety of medical students about the current COVID-19 outbreak in Turkey. Fam Pract Palliat Care. September 2020;5(2):36-44. doi:10.22391/fppc.737469
Chicago	Yakar, Burkay, Türkkan Öztürk Kaygusuz, Edibe Pirinçci, Erhan Önalan, and Yusuf Haydar Ertekin. “Knowledge, Attitude and Anxiety of Medical Students about the Current COVID-19 Outbreak in Turkey”. Family Practice and Palliative Care 5, no. 2 (September 2020): 36-44. https://doi.org/10.22391/fppc.737469.
EndNote	Yakar B, Öztürk Kaygusuz T, Pirinçci E, Önalan E, Ertekin YH (September 1, 2020) Knowledge, attitude and anxiety of medical students about the current COVID-19 outbreak in Turkey. Family Practice and Palliative Care 5 2 36–44.
IEEE	B. Yakar, T. Öztürk Kaygusuz, E. Pirinçci, E. Önalan, and Y. H. Ertekin, “Knowledge, attitude and anxiety of medical students about the current COVID-19 outbreak in Turkey”, Fam Pract Palliat Care, vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 36–44, 2020, doi: 10.22391/fppc.737469.
ISNAD	Yakar, Burkay et al. “Knowledge, Attitude and Anxiety of Medical Students about the Current COVID-19 Outbreak in Turkey”. Family Practice and Palliative Care 5/2 (September 2020), 36-44. https://doi.org/10.22391/fppc.737469.
JAMA	Yakar B, Öztürk Kaygusuz T, Pirinçci E, Önalan E, Ertekin YH. Knowledge, attitude and anxiety of medical students about the current COVID-19 outbreak in Turkey. Fam Pract Palliat Care. 2020;5:36–44.
MLA	Yakar, Burkay et al. “Knowledge, Attitude and Anxiety of Medical Students about the Current COVID-19 Outbreak in Turkey”. Family Practice and Palliative Care, vol. 5, no. 2, 2020, pp. 36-44, doi:10.22391/fppc.737469.
Vancouver	Yakar B, Öztürk Kaygusuz T, Pirinçci E, Önalan E, Ertekin YH. Knowledge, attitude and anxiety of medical students about the current COVID-19 outbreak in Turkey. Fam Pract Palliat Care. 2020;5(2):36-44.