Knowledge–attitude–practice and psychological status of college students during the early stage of COVID-19 outbreak in China: a cross-sectional study. Issue 2 (5th February 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jia, Yuehui; Qi, Yanbo; Bai, Li; Han, Yunfeng; Xie, Zhiping; Ge, Jie
• Is Part Of: BMJ open. Volume 11:Issue 2(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-02-05
• Subjects: COVID-19 -- anxiety disorders -- epidemiology; Medicine -- Research -- Periodicals; 610.72
• DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-045034
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2044-6055

Abstract

Abstract : Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the knowledge–attitude–practice (KAP) of Chinese college students regarding COVID-19 and evaluate their psychological status against the background of the COVID-19 outbreak. Design: This was a cross-sectional study. Setting: This study covered 31 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions of mainland China. Participants: The participants, who were college students with ordinary full-time status, were surveyed anonymously on their KAP regarding COVID-19 by using self-made questionnaires. In addition, the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale was used to assess the psychological status of the students. Methods: The online cross-sectional study among Chinese college students was conducted in February 2020. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyse the predictors of anxiety symptoms. Primary outcome measures: The level of KAP and anxiety symptoms. Results: A total of 740 college students from 31 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions in China were recruited in the survey. Among them, 139 (18.78%) revealed having anxiety. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that female gender was the risk factor for anxiety symptoms with an increased 2.164-fold risk than male gender (OR=2.164, 95% CI=1.279 to 3.662). The knowledge (OR=0.825, 95% CI=0.779 to 0.873) and attitude (OR=0.822, 95% CI=0.762 to 0.887) regarding COVID-19 were protective factors against anxiety symptoms. Conclusions: The level of KAP regarding COVID-19 was significantly negatively correlated with anxiety symptoms. Thus, understanding the level of KAP among college students during the early stages of major public health emergencies, such as a pandemic, is important. Such understanding plays an important role in adopting targeted health education strategies and reducing the psychological damage caused by these emergencies.