Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices Associated with COVID-19 Among School Students in Bharatpur, Chitwan District of Nepal

Authors

  • Deepak Subedi Paklihawa Campus, Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science, Tribhuvan University, Rupandehi; New Hope Agrobusiness Nepal Private Limited, Bharatpur, Chitwan, Nepal.
  • Suman Bhandari Paklihawa Campus, Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science, Tribhuvan University, Rupandehi, Nepal
  • Asmita Gaire Paklihawa Campus, Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science, Tribhuvan University, Rupandehi, Nepal.
  • Milan Kandel Chitwan Medical College, Tribhuvan University, Chitwan, Nepal.
  • Sanju Subedi Chitwan Medical College, Tribhuvan University, Chitwan, Nepal.
  • Surendra Karki Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Himalayan College of Agriculture Sciences and Technology, Kirtipur, Kathmandu, Nepal.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5195/ijms.2020.669

Keywords:

COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, School students, Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, Students

Abstract

Background: The virus causing severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has reached pandemic proportions. Understanding people’s perceptions of the disease will provide tools to improve strategies to limit its transmission. This study aims to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) associated with the disease among high school students.

Methods: Cross-sectional study conducted among secondary level students (grade 8th and 9th) in an urban high-school at Bharatpur, Chitwan, Nepal to assess KAP using a pre-tested questionnaire. Data were analyzed using Epi Info 7.2.3.1.

Results: We collected 101 surveys (response rate 100%). Most of the students were found to be knowledgeable about the timeline of the first outbreak (92.08%), and nearly three-fourths of participants knew about hand-washing for 20 seconds (73.27%). Information about the presence of the disease in Nepal (50.50%), its causative agent (65.53%), and symptoms (57.43%) showed that there is a knowledge gap among participants. Most of the participants were found to have a positive attitude towards the prevention and control of the disease. The majority of the respondents reported using face mask (77.23%) and adopting hand-washing measures (79.21%) as preventive strategies. The majority of the students were highly concerned about the disease.

Conclusion: Secondary level students of Chitwan, Nepal were found to have fair knowledge and understanding of the disease, showed a moderately positive attitude towards preventive measures, and reported appropriate preventive practices against the disease. It is recommended that a similar study with a wider population be conducted to assess KAP of Nepalese people towards SARS-CoV-2.

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Author Biographies

Deepak Subedi, Paklihawa Campus, Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science, Tribhuvan University, Rupandehi; New Hope Agrobusiness Nepal Private Limited, Bharatpur, Chitwan, Nepal.

Deepak Subedi is a recent graduate of Bachelor of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry (BVSC & AH) from the Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science, Tribhuvan University, Rupandehi, Nepal. He is a registered veterinarian (NVC Reg No. 1301) under Nepal Veterinary Council and currently working in New Hope Agrobusiness Nepal Private Limited, Bharatpur, Chitwan, Nepal as a poultry technical executive. He is the founder president of Creative Veterinary Student Association, Nepal, and the recipient of the most inspirational Tunza Eco Generation Ambassador of the 21st Eco-generation Regional Ambassadors.

Suman Bhandari, Paklihawa Campus, Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science, Tribhuvan University, Rupandehi, Nepal

Bachelor of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry (BVSc & AH).

Asmita Gaire, Paklihawa Campus, Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science, Tribhuvan University, Rupandehi, Nepal.

Bachelor of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry (BVSc & AH).

Milan Kandel, Chitwan Medical College, Tribhuvan University, Chitwan, Nepal.

Bachelor of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry (BVSc & AH).

Sanju Subedi, Chitwan Medical College, Tribhuvan University, Chitwan, Nepal.

Bachelor of Public Health (BPH).

Surendra Karki, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Himalayan College of Agriculture Sciences and Technology, Kirtipur, Kathmandu, Nepal.

PhD, Epidemiology.

References

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Published

2020-12-09

How to Cite

Subedi, D., Bhandari, S. ., Gaire, A. ., Kandel, M., Subedi, S., & Karki, S. (2020). Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices Associated with COVID-19 Among School Students in Bharatpur, Chitwan District of Nepal. International Journal of Medical Students, 8(3), 231–237. https://doi.org/10.5195/ijms.2020.669

Issue

Vol. 8 No. 3 (2020)

Section

Original Article

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