Original Article INFLUENCE OF COVID 19 ON KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICES OF STUDENTS AND EMPLOYEES REGARDING INFECTIOUS DISEASES AT A PRIVATE MEDICAL COLLEGE

Abstract

Background: The coronavirus pandemic with its rapid transmission and multiple variants wreaked havoc for the health and socioeconomic infrastructure of countries. The struggle to control the spread was a massive problem not only for people at individual level but for governments while imposing restrictions as well. This descriptive study, hence, aims to evaluate knowledge, attitude and practices during covid-19 and apply it to other impending infectious diseases.

Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study an online questionnaire consisting of 17 items broadly addressing awareness regarding the viral variants, understanding of and adherence to protocols as well as knowledge about vaccines was administered to 335 students and employees of CMH Lahore Medical College from January, 2022 to March, 2022. Participants were selected by non probability convenient sampling.

Results: The results showed that out of 335 responses, 275 (82.1%) were student responses and the remaining 60 (17.9%) were responses from the employees. The results showed that although the 47.5% employees did not consider the new variants to cause more severe illness but about 85% were motivated enough to continue practising personal protection and adhere to the control measures.

Conclusion: With the results gathered by our study, it is believed that although attitudes towards control measures have improved but individuals still need to practice adherence to preventive strategies set by governments for not only corona virus variants but for other transmissible diseases as well to reduce the risk of future pandemics.