https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6427-9237
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ABSTRACT
During infectious disease outbreaks, the knowledge and attitudes level of individuals involved in patient care is controversial. This cross-sectional study assessed the levels of knowledge and attitudes of Iranian nursing students regarding COVID-19 to determine their educational needs and take the necessary measures for their readiness. A total of 302 nursing students completed a valid and reliable researcher-made questionnaire through a web-based survey to collect data. 54% were women among the participants, and 51.32% were over 20. The mean (SD = standard deviation) scores of knowledge and attitudes were 17.99 (SD = 5.26) and 3.68 (SD = 1.15), respectively. According to the classification of total knowledge score, the unsatisfactory, satisfactory, and excellent levels were 55.30%, 18.50%, and 26.20%, respectively. The knowledge levels of nursing care for COVID-19 patients, sampling method for diagnostic purposes, medications used during COVID-19 treatment, and the clinical course of COVID-19 were thus lower than other issues. The mean score of attitudes was also 3.68 (SD = 1.15), representing the nursing students’ positive attitudes towards caring for COVID-19 patients. The results of the Spearman correlation coefficient between knowledge and attitude about COVID-19 showed a significant positive relationship between the total knowledge and attitude scores (r = 0.23, p < 0.001). Therefore, given the knowledge levels, particularly the unsatisfactory level in nursing care for COVID-19 patients, and the relatively positive attitudes towards this condition, it is helpful to implement training programs to improve the nursing students’ knowledge and clinical skills.
Acknowledgments
The authors express their gratitude to the Clinical Research Development Unit of Loghman Hakim Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, for their support and cooperation during the study.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).