Risk Management and Healthcare Policy (Nov 2021)
Health Literacy and Disparities in Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Regarding COVID-19 Among College Students During the COVID-19 Outbreak in China: A Cross-Sectional Study
Abstract
Yuehui Jia,1,* Shuli Ma,1,* Lianjie Bai,2 Qiong Xiao,3 Yu Wu,3 Ying Gao,4 Yunfeng Han,1 Zhiping Xie,1 Xiaowei Tang,5 Jie Ge1 1School of Public Health, Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar, Heilongjiang, People’s Republic of China; 2The Second Affiliated Hospital, Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar, Heilongjiang, People’s Republic of China; 3School of Nursing, Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar, Heilongjiang, People’s Republic of China; 4School of Mental Health, Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar, Heilongjiang, People’s Republic of China; 5Sanitary Analysis Center, Scientific Research Office, Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar, Heilongjiang, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Jie GeSchool of Public Health, Qiqihar Medical University, 333 Bukui Street, Jianhua District, Qiqihar, 161000, People’s Republic of ChinaTel +86452-2663409Fax +86452-2663755Email [email protected]: This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) towards COVID-19 of Chinese college students during the COVID-19 outbreak and identify the determinants considerably associated with KAP.Methods: An online cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted in February 2020 in China to recruit participants on the Wen-Juan-Xing online platform. A self-made questionnaire was used to assess the KAP towards COVID-19.Results: The average scores of COVID-19-related KAP among college students were 32.16 ± 4.09, 16.84 ± 3.18 and 15.36 ± 1.83, respectively. The average correct response rate of COVID-19-related knowledge was 84.62%. 94.59% of the respondents believed China could control and conquer the pandemic; 98.92% of the respondents wore a mask when they went out. The multiple linear regression showed that the female students had higher scores of COVID-19-related knowledge than male students (β = 0.79, P = 0.01), and the students from 985 or 211 universities (β = − 2.22, P < 0.01) were significantly associated with higher knowledge scores. Furthermore, a significantly positive correlation was found between the scores of COVID-19-related KAP among students.Conclusion: The college students had a good KAP towards the COVID-19 pandemic. The present study was able to access the COVID-19-related KAP among college students during the pandemic and identify their weaknesses in pandemic prevention. Consequently, the results of this study provide theoretical basis for implementing precision health education among college students and reference for campuses to conduct scientific prevention and control during a pandemic. Results also provide beneficial experience to curb similar major public health emergencies in the future.Keywords: COVID-19, knowledge, attitude, practice, college students
