Título: A Cross-Sectional Study to Assess Knowledge of COVID-19 among Undergraduate Students in North-Central Ecuador
Autor(es): BARBA ESTRELLA PEDRO MIGUEL, CHRISTIAN VINUEZA-BURGOS, CÉSAR MARCELO LARREA-ÁLVAREZ, DAVID ORTEGA-PAREDES, ESTEBAN FERNANDEZ-MOREIRA, GABRIEL MOLINA-CUASAPAZ, HÉGIRA RAMÍREZ, KAREN LOAIZA, MARCO LARREA-ÁLVAREZ, MIROSLAVA ANNA ŠEFCOVÁ, SANTIAGO ISAAC JIJÓN
Fecha de publicación: 18-aug-2021
Resumen: Adherence to preventive measures is influenced by people’s knowledge, attitudes and practices towards a disease; therefore, assessing knowledge of COVID-19 is critical in the overall effort to contain the outbreak. This cross-sectional study was conducted among undergraduates (n = 3621) of different programs and different levels of education associated with universities in north-central Ecuador. The form consisted of 32 questions covering demographics, symptoms, detection, treatment, transmission, prevention and knowledge of the virus. The rate of correct answers was 75.5% (21.1 ± 5 out of 28), with differences observed regarding program of study, educational level and location of institution (α = 0.05), although effect size analyses showed that these differences could not be considered large. Multiple linear regression analyses showed that lower scores were associated with initial stages of education, careers related to social sciences and location of institution. Participants possessed sufficient knowledge about detection, transmission and prevention, although they overestimated fatality rate and were less confident about the characteristics of the virus and the effectiveness of traditional medicine. Consequently, future educational programs must place emphasis on addressing deficient knowledge. Certainly, improving COVID-19 literacy will promote the appropriate application of protective measures aimed at preventing the virus’ spread.
Palabras clave: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2 virus; knowledge; awareness; undergraduate students; Ecuador
ISSN: 1660-4601
Tipo publicación: Artículo