Risk perception and preventive behaviors among Turkish medical students during early period of the COVID-19 pandemic

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess COVID-19 related risk perception, preventive behaviors among Turkish medical students within the two weeks after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 646 medical students (1st-6th year) in Pamukkale University with an online questionnaire. Forms were collected between 23rd to 31st of March 2020 via Google form. The questionnaire consisted of 39 questions including 12 items about sociodemographic information, 6 questions regarding COVID-19, 11 items about risk perception and 10 items regarding preventive measures about COVID-19. Results: The mean age of students was 21.77 +/- 2.28 years and 413 (63.8%) of them were female. The mean risk perception score of students was 22.70 +/- 4.68 (out of 44) and the mean preventive behavior score of students was 32.20 +/- 4.70 (out of 40). There was a significantly positive correlation between risk perception and preventive behavior scores. Female students, students with lower income, students whose mothers were highly educated, students who evaluated their health status as poor and who evaluated their knowledge about COVID-19 as insufficient had higher risk perception. Adoption of protective measures were higher in female students, married students, students who have chronic diseases and students who evaluated their health status as poor. Conclusion: Medical students in Turkey had a moderate risk perception and high preventive behaviors about COVID-19. In order to enhance students' risk perception, educators should be more involved in the process of medical education regarding the pandemic.