Continued education and socialization programs

Oct 13, 2025 by windailys.com 23 views

The Description of the Level of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Actions of USU Faculty of Medicine Students Towards COVID-19

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic has become a global challenge that affects people's lives in more than 200 countries, including Indonesia. The high mortality rate due to COVID-19 in Indonesia at the beginning of the pandemic, which reached 6.55% at the end of May 2020, became an alarm for the government to take preventive and control steps. One of the keys to success in handling COVID-19 is community compliance with the health protocol, which is influenced by their knowledge, attitudes, and actions towards this virus.

Background of the Study

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought significant changes to the way people live, work, and interact with each other. The rapid spread of the virus has put a strain on healthcare systems worldwide, and the need for effective prevention and control measures has become increasingly important. In Indonesia, the government has implemented various measures to control the spread of the virus, including social distancing, mask-wearing, and vaccination campaigns.

However, the success of these measures depends on the level of awareness and compliance among the community. In this context, the Faculty of Medicine at Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) has a crucial role to play in promoting health awareness and education among its students. The students of the Faculty of Medicine are future healthcare professionals who will be responsible for providing care and treatment to patients affected by COVID-19.

Methodology

To understand the level of awareness and application of health protocols among USU Faculty of Medicine students, a descriptive study with a cross-sectional design was conducted on 90 selected students through stratified random sampling techniques. This study analyzed primary data obtained through questionnaires filled out by students.

Results

The results of the study showed that the level of knowledge of USU FK students on COVID-19 was good, with a percentage of 98.9%. This indicates that most students have a good understanding of viruses, symptoms, and ways of transmission. In addition to knowledge, attitudes towards COVID-19 prevention also showed positive results, with 100% of students expressing a good attitude towards prevention efforts. This shows that students have high awareness and commitment to protect themselves and the environment from the spread of viruses.

However, in terms of precautions, it was found that only 85.6% of students took preventive measures well. This shows that although most students have positive knowledge and attitudes towards COVID-19, there are still a small portion that is not consistent in implementing health protocols in daily life.

Discussion

The results of this study provide an important picture of the level of awareness of USU FK students against COVID-19. The high level of knowledge and positive attitudes towards prevention efforts among students is a positive sign, indicating that they are aware of the risks associated with COVID-19 and are committed to taking preventive measures.

However, the fact that only 85.6% of students took preventive measures well is a concern. This suggests that there are still gaps in the implementation of health protocols among students, which can be addressed through education and socialization programs. The study highlights the need for continued efforts to increase awareness and compliance with health protocols among students.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this study provides an important picture of the level of awareness of USU FK students against COVID-19. The high level of knowledge and positive attitudes towards prevention efforts among students is a positive sign, indicating that they are aware of the risks associated with COVID-19 and are committed to taking preventive measures.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Continued education and socialization programs: The study highlights the need for continued education and socialization programs to increase awareness and compliance with health protocols among students.
Targeted interventions: Targeted interventions should be implemented to address the gaps in the implementation of health protocols among students.
Monitoring and evaluation: Regular monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of health protocols among students should be conducted to identify areas for improvement.

Limitations of the Study

This study has several limitations, including:

Small sample size: The study was conducted on a small sample size of 90 students, which may not be representative of the larger population.
Cross-sectional design: The study used a cross-sectional design, which may not capture the dynamic nature of the implementation of health protocols among students.

Future Research Directions

Future research should focus on:

Longitudinal studies: Longitudinal studies should be conducted to capture the dynamic nature of the implementation of health protocols among students.
Large sample size: Studies should be conducted on a larger sample size to increase the generalizability of the findings.
Mixed-methods approach: A mixed-methods approach should be used to capture both quantitative and qualitative data.

Conclusion

Q: What is the purpose of this study?

A: The purpose of this study is to understand the level of awareness and application of health protocols among USU Faculty of Medicine students towards COVID-19.

Q: What is the methodology used in this study?

A: This study used a descriptive study with a cross-sectional design, which involved collecting data from 90 selected students through stratified random sampling techniques.

Q: What are the results of this study?

A: The results of this study showed that the level of knowledge of USU FK students on COVID-19 was good, with a percentage of 98.9%. Additionally, 100% of students expressed a good attitude towards prevention efforts. However, only 85.6% of students took preventive measures well.

Q: What are the implications of this study?

A: The study highlights the need for continued efforts to increase awareness and compliance with health protocols among students. It also suggests that targeted interventions should be implemented to address the gaps in the implementation of health protocols among students.

Q: What are the limitations of this study?

A: This study has several limitations, including a small sample size and a cross-sectional design.

Q: What are the future research directions?

A: Future research should focus on conducting longitudinal studies, increasing the sample size, and using a mixed-methods approach to capture both quantitative and qualitative data.

Q: What are the recommendations of this study?

A: The study recommends continued education and socialization programs, targeted interventions, and regular monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of health protocols among students.

Q: What is the significance of this study?

A: This study provides an important picture of the level of awareness of USU FK students against COVID-19. It highlights the need for continued efforts to increase awareness and compliance with health protocols among students.

Q: How can this study be applied in real-life settings?

A: The findings of this study can be applied in real-life settings by implementing targeted interventions to address the gaps in the implementation of health protocols among students. It can also be used to inform the development of education and socialization programs to increase awareness and compliance with health protocols among students.

Q: What are the potential implications of this study for public health?

A: The study has potential implications for public health, including the need for continued efforts to increase awareness and compliance with health protocols among students. It also highlights the importance of targeted interventions to address the gaps in the implementation of health protocols among students.

Q: How can this study be replicated or extended?

A: This study can be replicated or extended by conducting longitudinal studies, increasing the sample size, and using a mixed-methods approach to capture both quantitative and qualitative data.

Q: What are the potential limitations of this study for future research?

A: The study has several limitations, including a small sample size and a cross-sectional design. Future research should address these limitations by increasing the sample size and using a mixed-methods approach.

Q: What are the potential applications of this study for future research?

A: The study has potential applications for future research, including the development of targeted interventions to address the gaps in the implementation of health protocols among students. It can also be used to inform the development of education and socialization programs to increase awareness and compliance with health protocols among students.