Knowledge, Attitudes and Perceptions of Medical and Non-Medical Students towards COVID-19 in Punjab, Pakistan: a Cross-sectional Survey

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is posing a huge burden on the entire world including developing countries like Pakistan. Our objective was to assess the knowledge, attitudes and perception of medical and non-medical college students towards COVID-19. A cross sectional survey was conducted among the college students of Punjab, Pakistan using a self-administered questionnaire during April-June 2021. Multivariate logistic regression modelling was used to evaluate adequate knowledge, good Attitude, and good Perception about COVID 19. P-value was determined using mood's median test and the value less than 0.05 was considered statistically signifi cant. A total of 925 respondents completed the survey (37.8% males and 62.2% females). Mean knowledge score of the study respondents was 7.0 (maximum score 10.0). Mean attitude and perception scores were 37 and 33.5 respectively (maximum score 50.0). Statistically signifi cant variations (p < 0.001) were observed in the knowledge of college students regarding number of people residing in the household and exercising regularly or not. Different age groups gave signifi cant differences (p < 0.001) regarding the attitudes towards COVID-19). Signifi cant variations were also found in the perception of the respondents depending upon the number of people residing in the household (p = 0.003), place of residence (p = 0.008). Pakistani students had satisfactory knowledge of COVID-19, but their attitudes and perceptions needed to be flourishing. These students could help reduce the spread of COVID-19 by guiding the general public on good COVID-19 practices.