A Descriptive Study to Assess the Knowledge regarding Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) among Final-Year Basic B.Sc. Nursing students at selected College of Nursing, Dharwad District Karnataka, India

 

Basavaraj Kumbar*

Nursing Officer, Trauma Centre and Super-Speciality Hospital, Institute of Medical Sciences,

Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi – 221005 Uttar Pradesh, India.

Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Karnataka, Bengaluru, India.

*Corresponding Author E-mail: basavarajk009@gmail.com

 

 

ABSTRACT:

Background: Novel Coronavirus19 disease was a people health emergency concerned internationally. The Coronavirus19 disease has been identified as an outbreak of respiratory illness, a many of cases of ‘viral pneumonia’ in Wuhan, China, starting in 2019 December. COVID-19 has been declared as a pandemic on March 12, 2020. This type of global health problem, the role of healthcare providers and healthcare students is very important. The study is designed to assess the knowledge of student nurses studying in Govt. College of Nursing KIMS-Hubballi.  Methodology: Descriptive design is used in this study which was conducted among 70 nursing students studying at Govt. College of Nursing KIMS-Hubballi. A structured knowledge questionnaire was designed to assess the knowledge of nursing students about Coronavirus disease. After the knowledge assessment information booklet was distributed to the students to enhance their knowledge about Coronavirus disease.  Results: The present study found that almost all subjects got vaccinated against COVID-19. The majority 54(77.14%) of the respondents had a moderate level of knowledge and 16(22.86%) of the respondents possessed an adequate level of knowledge about Coronavirus disease-2019.  Conclusion: Present study made the following conclusions, 22.86% of the nursing students possessed an adequate level of knowledge and 77.14% of the respondents had a moderate level of knowledge about Coronavirus disease-2019. No one had inadequate knowledge. The association was found non-significant with socio-demographic variables except only with the area of residence and knowledge regarding COVID-19. In order to enhance the knowledge about COVID-19, different awareness campaigns, publicity through mass media, and inclusion of COVID-19 in the nursing curriculum may be helpful.

 

KEYWORDS: COVID-19, Final-year Basic B.Sc. Nursing Students, Knowledge of COVID-19, Coronavirus Disease-2019, Information Booklet Regarding COVID-19, Pandemic.

 

 

INTRODUCTION:

COVID-19 is type of viral disease caused by a newer version Coronavirus WHO named it as SARS-CoV-2.1 The Coronavirus19 disease has been identified as an outbreak of respiratory illness, as many of cases of ‘viral pneumonia’ found in Wuhan, China, starting in 2019 December. COVID-19 has been declared as a pandemic on March 12, 2020. This type of global health problem, the role of healthcare providers and healthcare students is very important.2 In India the first confirmed case of the covid19 found on January 30, 2020. The covid19 virus mainly found in animals and some conditions transmits to humans also then spreads one person another.3

 

 

Expert data showed that 80% of diseased client recover by its own without any medical management but 15% will become seriously ill and 5% become critically complicated. In this type of global health crisis now, and future the role of healthcare providers including healthcare students cannot be ignored. Nursing students are directly contact with patient during COVID19 pandemic.5

 

Unfortunately, student nurses may have poor knowledge about the disease due to spreading false information in social media. But nurses very eager to gain knowledge poor knowledge causes infection transmission among nurses as well as in patients and also increases the stress and anxiety in students. This will cause improper judgment6 and performance.7 India has taken strong management protocol against COVID-19.8

 

NEED FOR THE STUDY:

Since COVID-19 is the most recent pandemic outbreak and the most highly dangerous disease it caused tremendous fear in the mind of the public.9 Nursing a profession staff nurses and student nurses are accountable for their work.10 The nurses and student nurses spend maximum crucial time with patients comparing any other health workers. This will increase their exposure to infected patients. Nurses and student nurses must have latest knowledge regarding Coronavirus disease.11

 

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY:

1.     To assess the knowledge among final-year Basic B.Sc. nursing students regarding COVID-19 at Govt.  College of nursing KIMS, Hubli- Dharwad District, Karnataka.

2.     To find out the association between the knowledge level of final-year Basic B.Sc. nursing students with selected socio-demographic variables.

3.     To draft the information booklet regarding COVID-19.

 

 

CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK:

Fig 1: Conceptual framework based on modified Dorothy Johnson’s open system model

 

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

RESEARCH VARIABLES:

A) Independent Variable: Information booklet regarding COVID-19

B) Dependent Variable: The knowledge of final-year Basic B.Sc. nursing students regarding coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19)

C) Socio-Demographic Variable: Age, gender, religion, area of residence, previous exposure to source of COVID-19 information, and vaccination status of the subjects.12

 

ASSUMPTIONS:

The assumptions underlying the study were: Adequate knowledge is a sound basis for nursing practice.

The student nurses will participate in the study voluntarily.

 

HYPOTHESES:

H(1): There will be a significant  association  between knowledge level scores of nursing students and selected socio-demographic variables.

 

RESEARCH APPROACH:

A research approach used for the present study is descriptive survey approach. The study was conducted on final-year basic B.Sc. nursing students for the true portrayal of knowledge regarding coronavirus disease-2019

 

RESEARCH DESIGN:

Descriptive design is used in this study. No attempt is made to control or manipulate the situation

THE SETTING OF THE STUDY:

The study was conducted in the Government College of nursing KIMS Hubballi, Karnataka.

Population: Final-year Basic B. Sc. Nursing students of the Karnataka.

Sample: Final-year Basic B.Sc. nursing students studying in the Government College of nursing KIMS Hubballi, Karnataka were chosen.

Sample Size: 70 4th year basic BSc nursing students.

 

SAMPLING TECHNIQUES:

A simple random sampling method was used to select 70 Final-year Basic B.Sc. Nursing students.

 

SAMPLING CRITERIA:

Inclusive criteria: Final-year Basic BSc. Nursing students who are,

1) In the age group of 21-24 years.

2) Able to understand Kannada and English.

3) Willing to participate and Available at the time of data collection.

Exclusive criteria: Final-year Basic B.Sc. Nursing students who are,

1) Below 21 and above 24 years of age.

2) Not able to understand Kannada & English.

3) Not available during the study.

 

Instrument Used for The Study:

A knowledge questionnaire was developed based on the objectives of the study.  Verified by more than10 expert.

 

Development of Tool:

A structured knowledge questionnaire was developed to assess the knowledge regarding Coronavirus disease-2019.

The steps followed in preparing the tool were: -

1)   Review of literature.

2)   Blueprint preparation

3)   Content Validity of the tool

 

 

Content validity of the tool: -

The tool, blueprint, and informational booklet were validated by 10 experts in the field of Medical-Surgical Nursing. And also requested them to review and verify the items for appropriateness, adequacy and clarity. Minor corrections were made based on suggestions given by the experts.

 

Description of Tools: The structured Tool has two parts.

Section-A: The first section consists of socio-demographic data which included the variables like Age in a year, Gender, Religion, Area of residence, previous exposure to a source of COVID-19 information, and COVID-19 Vaccination Status.

Section-B: This section consists of a 36 structured knowledge questionnaire regarding COVID19 This knowledge part consists a total of 36 questions. The total score was 36. the level of knowledge was classified into inadequate level knowledge (less than or equal to 33.33%), moderate level knowledge (33.34%–66.66%) and high level or adequate level knowledge (66.67%–100%).

 

Reliability:

The tool was tested for reliability on 10, final-year basic B.Sc. nursing students during the pilot study by using a split-half method and applying Karl Pearson’s correlation coefficient formula and Spearman’s Brown prophecy formula and found reliable (r=0.87).

 

Data Collection Method:

Ethical clearance and formal permission were obtained from the concerned authority of the Government College of Nursing, KIMS Hubballi, Karnataka. A simple random sampling was used to select the 70 samples from final-year basic B.sc Nursing students of the Government College of Nursing, KIMS, Hubballi. After selecting the sample, the purpose of the study was explained to the participants, and confidentiality of their responses was assured. Informed consent was obtained from each participant. A structured questionnaire was administered to the final-year Basic B.Sc. nursing students to assess their knowledge regarding COVID-19.

 

Data Analysis Plan:

Analysis was done based on the objectives of the study. Analysis of the data is organized and presented under 3 sections.

Section I: Description of socio-demographic variables

Section II: Assessment of Knowledge regarding Coronavirus disease-2019 among final-year Basic B.Sc. Nursing students of government college of Nursing KIMS, Hubballi.

Section III: Determining the association between the level of knowledge score with their selected socio-demographic variables regarding Coronavirus disease-2019.

 

The plans for data analysis are as follows:

·       Data organized based on objectives

·       A master sheet was prepared

·       Tabulation of data in terms of frequency, percentage, and differences

·       The Chi-square test for the consistency table was used

 

Development of Informational Booklet: -

An Informational booklet on Coronavirus disease-2019 was based on a review of the literature. The step involve in the development of the Informational Booklet were:

·       Preparation of the first informational booklet.

·       Content validity by experts.

·       Editing of informational booklet.

·       Preparation of final informational booklet.

 

RESULTS:

Data was collected through a structured knowledge questionnaire on Coronavirus disease-2019. A total of 70 students of the Government College of nursing KIMS Hubballi were enrolled in the study by using a simple random sampling technique. Analysis of collected data was done using descriptive and inferential statistics

 

Section I: Distribution of sample Characteristics according to socio-demographic variables of respondents.

The data presented in Table 1 indicates that the majority of subjects 36(51.42%) belonged to the age group of 22 years, while minimum number 1(1.42%) belonged to the age group of 24 years and followed by 27(38.57%) 21 years, 6(8.57%) 23 years

 

The majority of the subjects 46(65.71%) are female, while the minimum number 24(34.28%) are male.

 

The majority of the subjects 65(92.85%) belonged Hindu and followed by 5(7.14%) Muslim, 0(0%) Christian, while minimum number 0(0%) others.

 

The majority of the subjects 48(68.57%) were rural residents, while the minimum number 22(31.42%) urban residents

 

The majority of previous exposure of source of information subjects 39(60.00%) Mass media and internet and followed by 20(28.57 %) Healthcare professionals, 4(5.71%) no exposure, 3(4.28%) friends and relatives, 1(1.42%) news-papers and journals.

 

The majority of subjects show 53(75.71%) III-dose vaccinated, while the minimum number of 0% for I-dose vaccinated status followed by 17(24.28%) II-dose vaccination status and 0% of subjects not vaccinated.

 

 

Table 1: Frequency & percentage distributions of subjects according to their Socio-demographic data.

SL.

No

Demographic Variables

Frequency (f)

Percentage (%)

1

 

 

 

Age of Students (Years)

21 Years

22 Years

23 Years

24 Years

 

27

36

06

01

 

38.57 %

51.42 %

8.57 %

1.42 %

2

 

Gender

Male

Female

 

24

46

 

34.28 %

65.71 %

3

Religion

Hindu

Muslim

Christian

Others

 

65

05

00

00

 

92.85 %

7.14 %

0 %

0 %

4

Area of residence

Rural

Urban

 

48

22

 

68.57 %

31.42 %

5

Previous exposure to source of information

No exposure

Mass media and the internet

Friends and relatives

Newspapers and journals

Healthcare professionals

 

 

04

42

 

03

01

20

 

 

5.71 %

60.00 %

 

4.28 %

1.42 %

28.57 %

6

Vaccination Status

I - Dose

II - Dose

III - Dose

Not vaccinated

 

00

17

53

00

 

0%

24.28 %

75.71 %

0 %

 

Section II: Distribution of sample Characteristics according to the level of knowledge of respondents.

Graph 1 indicates that the majority 54 (77.14%) of the respondents had a moderate level of knowledge and 16 (22.86%) of the respondents possessed an adequate level of knowledge about Coronavirus disease-2019.

 

Graph 01: Pie graph showing ‘respondents’ levels of knowledge-wise distribution.

 

The majority of the respondents 54 (77.14%) had moderately adequate knowledge, 16(22.86%) possessed adequate knowledge about COVID-19, and 0(0%) possessed an inadequate knowledge level about COVID-19.

 

 

 

 

ASPECT 1

 

Graph 02: Pie graph showing ‘respondents’ levels of knowledge with regard to the aspect of meaning, concept & general information about the COVID-19 (aspect1) wise distribution.

 

The majority of the respondents 49 (70%) had moderately adequate knowledge with regard to the aspect of meaning, concept & general information about COVID-19, 20 (28.571%) possessed adequate knowledge with regard to the aspect of meaning, concept and general information about the COVID-19 and 1(1.428%) possessed inadequate knowledge level with regard to the aspect of meaning, concept & general information about COVID-19.

 

ASPECT 2

 

 

Graph 03: Bar graph showing ‘respondents’ levels of knowledge with regard to the aspects of etiology and clinical manifestation of COVID-19 (aspect2) wise distribution.

 

 

The majority of the respondents 41 (58.57%) had moderately adequate knowledge with regard to the aspect of etiology and clinical manifestation of COVID-19. 25 (35.71%) possessed adequate knowledge with regard to the aspect of etiology and clinical manifestation of COVID-19 and 4 (5.71%) possessed inadequate knowledge level with regard to the aspect of the etiology and clinical manifestation of COVID-19.

 

ASPECT 3

 

Graph 04: Pie graph showing ‘respondents’ levels of knowledge with regard to the aspect of diagnosis and complications of the COVID-19 (aspect3) wise distribution.

The majority of the respondents 55 (78.57%) had moderately adequate knowledge with regard to the aspect of diagnosis and complications of COVID-19. 14 (20%) possessed adequate knowledge with regard to the aspect of diagnosis and complications of COVID-19 and 1 (1.428%) possessed an Inadequate knowledge level with regard to the aspect of diagnosis and complications of COVID-19.

 

ASPECT 4

 

Graph 05: Bar graph showing ‘respondents’ levels of knowledge with regard to the aspect of diet and lifestyle during the COVID-19 (aspect4) wise distribution

 

The majority of the respondents 32 (45.71%) had moderately adequate knowledge with regard to the aspect of diet and lifestyle regarding COVID-19. 19 (27.143%) possessed adequate knowledge with regard to the aspect of diet and lifestyle regarding COVID-19 and 0% possessed inadequate knowledge level with regard to the aspect of diet and life style about COVID-19.

 

ASPECT 5

 

Graph 06: Cone graph showing ‘respondents’ levels of knowledge with regards to the aspect of prevention and management of COVID-19 (aspect5) wise distribution.

 

The majority of the respondents 50 (71.428%) had adequate knowledge with regard to the aspect of prevention and management of COVID-19. 19(27.143%) possessed moderately adequate knowledge with regard to the aspect of prevention and management of COVID-19 and 1(1.428%) possessed inadequate knowledge level with regard to the aspect of prevention and management of COVID-19.

 

Table 3 revealed that there is a significant relationship between levels of knowledge about Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) with an area of residence (chi-square value=3.8778, p-value= 0.0489)* but no significant relationship between levels of knowledge about Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) with demographical variables like Age, Gender, Religion, previous exposure to the source of information and vaccination status at 5% level of significance was observed.

 

Table 3: Association between levels of knowledge about Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) with their socio-demographic variables

Demographic

Variables

Category

Samples

Knowledge Level

Test of Significance

P

value

MK

%

AK

%

Age

21

27

17

62.96%

10

37.03%

χ2 :1.1433#

Df:1

P>0.05

 

(0.2849)

NS

22

36

30

83.34%

6

16.67%

23

06

04

66.67%

02

33.33%

24

1

01

100%

00

0%

Gender

Male

24

18

83.34%

06

8.34%

χ2 : 0.0098

Df:1

P>0.05

(0.92132)

NS

Female

46

34

89.13%

12

4.35%

Religion

Hindu

65

47

72.31%

18

27.69%

Fisher’s exact test P= 0.318

Df :1

P>0.05

(0.318)

NS

Muslim

5

05

100%

0

00%

Area of residence

Rural

48

39

81.25%

9

18.75%

χ2 : 3.8778*

Df:1

P<0.05

(0.0489) *

Urban

22

13

59.1%

9

40.9%

Previous exposure to the source of information

 

No exposure

4

04

100%

0

0%

Fisher’s exact test P= 0.5661#

Df: 1

P>0.05

(0.5661)

NS

 

Mass media and internet

42

29

69.05%

13

30.95%

Friends and relatives

03

02

66.67%

1

33.3%

News-papers and journals

01

1

100%

0

0%

Healthcare professionals

20

16

80%

4

20%

Vaccination Status

I-Dose                 0          0           0             0        0

χ2 (Yate’s correction): 0.765

Df: 1

P>0.05

(0.3818)

NS

II - Dose

17

14

82.35%

03

17.65%

III- Dose or Booster dose

53

38

71.7%

15

28.3%

* Significant at P<0.05

#for calculation of χ2 test we pooled the related cells

 

CONCLUSION:

·       It was observed that the maximum number of subjects 36(51.42 %) were in the age group of 22 years.

·       The majority of subjects 46(65.71 %) were females.

·       The majority of subjects 65(92.85 %) belongs to Hindu religion.

·       The majority of subjects 48(68.57 %) live in the rural area.

·       The majority of subjects 42 (60%) have previous knowledge about COVID-19 from Mass media and internet sources.

·       The majority of subjects 53(75.71 %) were vaccinated with COVID-19 III dose.

 

NURSING IMPLICATIONS:

Study results are truly based on nursing practice, nursing education, nursing administration, and nursing research.

 

Nursing practice:

·       The nurse plays a very important role in educating nursing students regarding COVID-19.

·       The nurse should conduct a training program for student nurses to make awareness about COVID-19.

·       The gap between the existing and expected level of knowledge of nursing students indicates that there is an urgent need for education regarding COVID-19.

·       An informational booklet may help in increasing awareness regarding COVID-19. The investigator as a nurse felt the need the nurse should act as a facilitator to educate the nursing students.

·       Nursing personnel working in the community should be equipped with adequate knowledge and skill to educate nursing students, ASHA workers, and ANMs to understand regarding COVID-19.

 

Nursing education:

·       A good nurse should have adequate knowledge to work as a health educator it may be him/her. By providing health education it will help to improve knowledge of the nursing students.

·       The knowledge of COVID-19 in public should be a part of the curriculum under the subject.

·       Nurses can provide school/college awareness programs to provide adequate information regarding COVID-19 which will help to expand the level of knowledge of the nursing students about COVID-19.

 

Nursing administration:

·       Nursing administrators should implement outreach programs to make the nursing students knowledgeable about COVID-19 and can assign nurses to conduct public awareness programs, by making the most use of media and audio-visual aids.

·       In-service education can be conducted for nurses regarding COVID-19.

·       There should be necessary health education material and administrative support provided to conduct health education programs.

 

Nursing research:

·       Nurses and Nursing students should be encouraged to conduct research studies. For others who are planning to conduct these kinds of studies it will be a review of the literature for them.

·       The findings show that there is an extensive need to assess the knowledge, and perception of COVID-19 among the nursing students.

·       Research should be done on different aspects of nursing students among different samples in different settings.

 

RECOMMENDATIONS:

·       A similar study can conduct on a large sample in different settings.

·       A study can be done to compare the knowledge, practice, and attitude of COVID-19 among nursing students in different areas separately.

·       Regular health education programs should be conducted by health professionals regarding COVID-19.

·       Periodical motivation by the health personnel will improve the knowledge regarding COVID-19.

·       A similar study can be undertaken among the general public.

·       Mass media health education is necessary to avoid the psychosocial barrier.

·       An experimental study can be performed.

·       A study can be performed to determine the effectiveness of SIM.

 

LIMITATIONS:

1.     Currently this study is limited only to basic B.Sc. final-year nursing students of the Government College of nursing KIMS, Hubballi.

2.     This study is limited to basic B.Sc. final-year nursing students of Government College of nursing KIMS, Hubballi, who are willing to participate in the study.

3.     This study is limited to basic B.Sc. final-year nursing students of Government College of nursing KIMS, Hubballi, students who are available during data collection.

4.     The present study was limited to 70 final-year basic B.Sc. nursing students of the Government College of nursing KIMS, Hubballi.

 

CONFLICT OF INTEREST:

The authors have no conflicts of interest regarding this investigation.

 

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS:

I owe my special gratitude to Dr. B.C. Uppin, Former District Surgeon, Vijayapur for his valuable guidance, encouragement and extended arm of help throughout my study.

 

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Received on 10.07.2023           Modified on 30.10.2023

Accepted on 02.01.2024          © A&V Publications all right reserved

Int. J. Nur. Edu. and Research. 2024; 12(1):4-10.

DOI: 10.52711/2454-2660.2024.00002