Knowledge, attitude and practice toward COVID-19 among students after reopening of college: a cross-sectional analysis

Abstract

Background: After schools, colleges and university campuses opened after 290days of restrictions and lockdown imposed in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic in Kerala colleges opened from Jan 2021.its necessary to understand about the corona disease and it’s also essential for controlling the spread of disease knowing students’ knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) towards COVID-19.Materials and Methods: It’s a cross-section study done on students after reopening of colleges and online Google questions regarding the KAP of the population about COVID-19 was asked, and participants’ demographic characteristics and source of information regarding COVID-19 were recorded and analysed.Results: We studied 1000 students after college reopening, majority are in age group 20-23yrs, 85% as adequate knowledge, 64 had positive attitude and 80% are with safety practices.95.4% student’s knows the spread, signs and symptoms, risk factors, co-morbidity of disease,That have slight negative attitude as more than half 51% as history of group gathering after college reopens 70% Good practices of COVID protective measures 98.7% using N95 mask.Conclusions: Majority of students as good knowledge, positive attitude, and good practice. Suggested for online theory classes and small group practical classes, hostel restriction’s for better health of students in college.