Practices of personal protective measures against SARS-Cov-2 among undergraduate medical students in South India

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

International Journal of Occupational Safety and Health

Abstract

Introduction: Personal protective measures (PPMs) hold relevance despite mass coverage of COVID-19 vaccination. Medical students can be vital in training people in infection control practices. This study was therefore done to assess the practices of PPMs among undergraduate medical students against COVID-19. Methods: A cross-sectional study was done in January 2021 among first to final-year students at a private medical college in Mangalore. Data were collected using a Microsoft form. A sample size of 282 was calculated. However, a sample size of 302 was achieved. Results: The mean age of the 302 participants was 21.2±1.6 years. The majority of them were females 179 (59.3%). Face mask was worn by 295 (97.7%) participants. Non-recommended types of face masks like using cloth masks 108 (36.6%) and handkerchiefs 7 (2.4%) were reported by face mask users. Face mask was worn incorrectly on most occasions by 35 (11.9%) users. Replacement of disposable type of face masks was not done every day by 181 (61.4%) face mask users. Discarding of disposable masks was not done whenever it became moist on every occasion by 142 (48.1%) users. Only 79 (26.8%) users always practiced proper disposal of face masks. Hand sanitizer to disinfect hands was always used by 102 (33.8%) participants. Only 42 (13.9%) participants always practiced the six steps of hygienic hand washing. Only 58 (19.2%) participants had a good level of practice of PPMs against COVID-19. Practice level was significantly poorer among males and first-year students. Conclusion: Several gaps in PPMs against COVID-19 were identified among participants which need to be addressed during future training programs.

First Page

218

Last Page

227

DOI

10.3126/IJOSH.V14I2.55315

Publication Date

1-1-2024

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