KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE OF UNIVERSITY OF DUHOK  STUDENTS TOWARDS COVID-19 VIRUS: A CROSS SECTIONAL  STUDY IN DUHOK CITY-IRAQ

NOOR AHMED  MOHAMMED

NOOR AHMED MOHAMMED Dept. of Biology, College Of Science, University Of Duhok, Kurdistan Region-Iraq

Keywords: Awareness, COVID-19, Duhok-Iraq, Practices, Students

Abstract

Background and aims: In December of 2019, Wuhan in China experienced the first novel coronavirus. World Health Organization (WHO) declared a global pandemic on 11 ^th of March 2020. Kurdistan region government, took strict precautionary actions at an early time to control the pandemic. Due to the high risk and rapid transmission of the COVID-19 virus, low hospital capacity and facilities, thus; educate the community were important in decreasing the spread of COVID-19.

Materials and Methods: A across section survey was conducted among university of Duhok students (UDS) to determine and provide the information about the awareness and practice of university students toward COVID-19 outbreak in Duhok city. The cross-sectional survey was conducted using online Google form platform between 25 July and 15^th August of 2020. A total of 412 students participated and answered all the questions of the questionnaires. The statistical packages of social science (SPSS) were used to analyze the data. Mean, Frequency and percentage were used with descriptive statistics, while independent-sample t-test and one way analysis of variances ANOVA were used to test the variance between two or more groups.

Results: The overall correct rate of the knowledge questionnaire was 77.31%. More than the half of the participants 63% were following most of the prevention steps (washing hand frequently, using masks outside and preventing the crowded places). Male showed more knowledge with (1.80±0.18) P≤0.037, while Female showed better practices than males (3.96±1.13) P≤0.024 . Students Location (City and Countryside) showed significant correlation P≤0.025.

Conclusion: this study concluded that USD had good knowledge score towards this disease, Students gender had differences among their knowledge’s and practices about COVID-19 pandemic in Duhok city. The results highlight the important of Social media to improve the UDS knowledge, which could reflect to student’s families and the community as well. Additional intense health education should be directed toward all the public sectors to improve levels of knowledge and good practices during such a pandemic

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