Knowledge and Attitude of Undergraduate Nursing Students Toward COVID 19 and their Correlation with Stress and Hope Level

Abstract

Abstract: Background:  Knowledge and attitudes of nursing students toward COVID-19 play a significant role in preparing their willingness to accept measures of behavioral change from health professionals. Objectives: Assess undergraduate nursing students' attitude and knowledge towards COVID 19 and their correlation with stress and hope level. Setting: The research was performed at the Faculties of Nursing of Alexandria University, Damanhour University, and Modern University for Technology and Information. Subjects: a convenient sample of 443 students. A cross-sectional study design was implemented. Tools: Five tools were used; socio-demographic questionnaire, knowledge about COVID-19, attitude of nursing students towards Corona virus, perceived stress scale, and Herth hope index. Results: The majority of nursing students (83%) had high levels of COVID 19 knowledge, (91%) had a positive attitude toward Corona virus, (30 %) of students had high level of perceived stress, and the mean percent scores of hope was 74.5±10.9. Conclusion: Negative correlations were detected between students' knowledge and attitude, students' attitude and stress, and students’ stress and hope. Recommendations: Counseling services and effective coping strategies workshops need to be implemented for students by online methods to teach them how to deal with stress in an adaptive manner.