A STUDY TO ASSESS ATTITUDE REGARDING MISCONCEPTIONS OF COVID-19 AMONG NURSING STUDENTS AT SELECTED NURSING COLLEGE OF JAMMU PROVINCE

Abstract

Introduction: Corona viruses are a group of viruses belonging to the family of corona viridae, which infects both humans and animals. Human corona viruses can cause mild disease similar to a common cold, while others cause more severe disease such as MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) and SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome). A new corona virus that previously has not been identified in humans emerged in Wuhan, China in December 2019. Signs and symptoms include respiratory symptoms and include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome and sometimes death. The outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic has created negative effect on humanity continuous holding on to some misconceptions about the reality of the virus among people may create, further problems for human kind. This study has documented some of the most common misconceptions about COVID-19 pandemic which include; it's the disease of wealthy people. Hot weather will destroy the disease. Taking local herbs will destroy it. Holding breath for 10 seconds or more without coughing means you are free from COVID-19, etc. Materials and Methods: Non-experimental approach was adopted to assess attitude regarding misconceptions of COVID-19 among nursing students at selected nursing college of Jammu Province. The present study was conducted to assess the attitude regarding misconceptions of COVID-19 among nursing students. The reliability and feasibility of tool was done during the month of February, 2021. The main data collection was carried out in March 2021.Random sampling technique was used for selection of samples. The sample was taken from nursing students studying in Rajiv Gandhi College of Nursing, Jammu. Total 100 samples were taken .A tool was developed which consist of likert scale to assess attitude regarding misconceptions of COVID-19 among nursing students. Before the data collection the researcher explains the purpose of study, clarify the queries and took verbal consent from subjects. The gathered data was analyzed by calculating percentage, frequency and SD, Ttest, chi-square was used to assess, compare, association of attitude regarding misconceptions of COVID-19. Result: The mean score was 95.91, median score was 97, standard deviation score was 10.41 and the neutral attitude score was 93%. Conclusion: Assessment of attitude regarding misconceptions of COVID-19 among nursing students study  revealed that 2% respondents had  positive attitude, 5% respondents had  negative attitude while 93% respondents had neutral attitude.  The study revealed that there is no significant association between the socio-demographic status and attitude regarding misconceptions of COVID-19.