ABSTRACT
Background Medical students are exposed to many serious healthcare-associated infections throughout their learning and training time particularly during a pandemic like COVID-19. Therefore, promotion of their knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding infection control measures is a mandatory action. Objective This study was executed to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practice of medical undergraduates toward infection control measures before and after the implementation of practical infection control training for them. Methods A quasi-experimental prospective study was conducted on a simple random sample of medical undergraduates at Al-Qunfudah College of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, KSA. A total of 177 medical undergraduates were recruited for this study and completed a predesigned survey on their knowledge regarding infection control measures. Moreover, their practice of infection control measures was evaluated through a checklist before and 6 months after receiving practical infection control training during their academic year 2020–2021. Results A total of 177 and 176 responses were obtained at the pre-test and post-test, respectively. The mean ages of students who participated in pre-training and post-training assessments were (22.50 ± 1.02 and 22.03 ± 1.34), respectively with female sex predominance (62.1 and 61.9%). Mean knowledge and practice scores among them were enhanced from (7.79 ± 2.10 and 4.56 ± 2.58) at their pre-test to (11.06 ± 1.27 and 15.68 ± 1.90) at post-test (P-value 0.001 and <0.001), respectively. After training, almost all of them recommended infection control training for all medical students due to its great value. Conclusion The training course has shown its capability in the promotion of medical undergraduates' knowledge, attitude, and practice toward infection control measures.
ABSTRACT
Objectives: This study aimed to assess perceptions among undergraduate medical students toward distance learning and its effects on their academic performance during the COVID-19 pandemic at Al-Qunfudhah College of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, KSA. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among medical students at Al-Qunfudhah College of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, KSA, during the 2020-2021 academic year. Data were collected through a predesigned, well-structured online survey from (1st March to 31th May 2021). Results: A sample of 223 undergraduates responded to an online survey, with a response rate of 74.3%; female students represented 54.3%. Blended education was preferred by most students (73.1%). Moreover, 72.2% of students perceived that distance learning saved their time, and approximately two-thirds (61.4%) were stimulated by the availability of lecture recordings. Approximately 59% and 54% reported that distance learning was more comfortable and improved their technology skills, respectively. Poor communication (66%) and network problems (61.4%) were the most common challenges in distance learning. Nonetheless, a substantial increase (P = 0.001) in students' grade point averages was observed with distance learning. Conclusion: Most medical students preferred blended education combining the advantages of both traditional and distance learning strategies. The availability of educational materials, improvements in students' technological skills and time saving were the most perceived benefits of distance learning among students. However, the main obstacles were internet problems, poor communication and deprivation from real clinical practice. Despite the improvement in students' grade point averages during distance learning compared with traditional learning, blended education was recommended by the majority or participants.
ABSTRACT
COVID-19 is a public Health Emergency of International Concern. The aim of this work was to assess the level of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) among Egyptians toward COVID-19. A cross-sectional study was conducted from March 1st to April 1st, on 3712 participants of different ages and sex. An author designed KAP questionnaire toward COVID-19 administered online and personally was delivered. Satisfactory knowledge, positive attitude and good practice were reported among 70.2%, 75.9% and 49.2% of the participants respectively. Middle-aged participants reported high knowledge and attitude levels with poor practice level (p < 0.001). Females reported high knowledge and practice levels and low attitude (p < 0.001 and p = 0.041 respectively). Despite reporting high knowledge and attitude among urban residents (p < 0.001), practice level was high among rural residents (p = 0.001). Post-graduate education reported the highest levels of KAP (p < 0.001). Rural residents, working and non-enough income participants reported lower level of practice (p < 0.001). Logistic regression was carried out. It was found that unsatisfactory knowledge was associated with low education [Odds Ratio (OR) = 1.97, 95% CI: 1.51-2.56], and of rural residency (OR = 1.2, 95% CI: 1.05-1.41). Negative attitude was associated with not working (OR = 1.94, 95% CI: 1.61-2.35) and not enough income (OR = 1.29, 95%CI: 1.10-1.51 respectively). Poor practice is associated with young age (OR = 2.41, 95% CI: 1.94-2.98) and low education (OR = 1.19, 95% CI: 1.03-1.37) and not working (OR = 4.95, 95% CI: 4.07-6.02). Satisfactory knowledge, positive attitude and poor practice were found among the participants. A good knowledge and lower practice level were found among middle-aged, working participants, and participants with insufficient income. The demographic characters associated with KAP could be the cornerstone in directing policy-makers to target the health education campaigns to the suitable target groups.