Knowledge, attitude and practice towards Covid-19 pandemic of pharmacy students in University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam

Introduction: The rapid increase of infected cases and fatalities during the COVID-19 pandemic has created a huge health crisis to the world and Vietnam in particular. Health professionals were put under massive pressure in preventing pandemic. This study was conducted to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) during the COVID-19 disease through an online survey as well as related infection control practices among pharmacy students in the University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City (UMP). Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted based on the data obtained from an online questionnaire. Correlation analysis was performed using statistical tests and linear regression model for practice. The total study sample, chosen based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria was taken from pharmacy students in UMP during the study period. Results: A scale of KAP towards COVID-19 was developed with 43 questions and received 1,089 responses. We acknowledged that the awareness and practice of these students were at a good level (with a mean score of 8.37±0.77 and 8.46±1.33, respectively) and the attitude was optimistic with a mean score of 6.22±0.68. Related factors to practice included gender (p=0.005), year of study (p=0.013); to knowledge included the time spent in university (p=0.040); to attitude included social distancing (p=0.024). Multivariable regression analysis showed that practice is related with male gender (β=-0.254; p=0.001), the first 3 school years (β = 0.173; p=0.020), knowledge score (β =0.154; p=0.003). Conclusions: Based on a constructive scale, the study noted students' knowledge-attitude-practice towards COVID-19 at a good level. School year and knowledge scores positively affected practice scores, while male students had a negative effect.