Knowledge, Attitude, and Nutritional Practice Related to COVID-۱۹ in Students of Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences

Background: It has been known that healthy nutrition is important in increasing immunity and reducing diseases. Lack of some nutrients can lead to a decrease in the function of the immune system and, as a result, an increase in the probability of infections or their exacerbation. This study was conducted with the aim of investigating knowledge, attitude and nutritional practice related to COVID-۱۹ in the students of Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences. Methods: The present descriptive and analytical study was conducted in ۲۰۲۲ on ۳۵۰ students of Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences. The research tools included a demographic checklist and a questionnaire of knowledge, attitude and nutritional practice related to COVID-۱۹, used in a similar study. The collected data were analyzed by SPSS ۲۴ software using descriptive statistics and analysis of variance, independent t-test, and Pearson's correlation coefficient. Results: The mean age of the subjects was ۲۲.۱۵±۴.۹۸ year.  The mean scores of knowledge, attitude, and nutritional behavior of students of Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences regarding COVID-۱۹ were ۲۳.۱۷ ±۴.۱۷, ۱۸.۰۴ ±۳.۲۹, and ۴۱.۶۴ ±۷.۱۶, respectively. The results showed that there was a statistically significant relationship between the knowledge score with the educational level and history of infection with COVID-۱۹ and the nutritional practice score with the variable of history of infection with COVID-۱۹ (P < ۰.۰۵). Also, there was a positive and significant correlation between Knowledge, attitude, and practice. Conclusion: According to the results of the study, the studied students had a relatively good knowledge, attitude, and practice towards nutritional issues related to COVID-۱۹; however, there is still room for improvement.

Keywords:

Knowledge , Attitude , Behavior , Nutrition , Students , COVID-۱۹