PERCEPTION TOWARDS COVID APPROPRIATE BEHAVIORS - A CROSS SECTIONAL SURVEY AMONG NURSING STUDENTS FROM SOUTH INDIA

Background: 2019-nCoV (also called SARS-CoV-2) is a single stranded RNA virus comingunder the same genus beta coronavirus as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 1(SARS-CoV-1) and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV). Adherence to COVID-19 appropriate behavior plays a crucial element in tackling the pandemic crisis. Objectives: To assess the knowledge, perception and attitude and associated factors towards COVID appropriate behaviours among the nursing students. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among representative sample of nursing students (n=79) aged 18 years or more between May to July 2021. Data on COVID appropriate behaviours based on guidelines published in the official website by the Ministry of Health and Family welfare, Government of India were collected online using a self administered andsemi structured questionnaire. The descriptive and inferential statistics were analysed using SPSS version 22. Results: Among 79 participants, 452 (78.4%) were from urban residences and 47 (59.4%) were from nuclear families. The majority of them (79.7%) perceived COVID 19 as a serious condition. Newspapers (54%) and social media (47%) were considered as significant sources of information on COVID appropriate behaviours.