Evaluating the Knowledge of COVID-19 and Its Effect on Psychosocial Outcomes Among University Students in Aligarh (Uttar Pradesh), India

S.M Safdar Ashraf; Atiya Anjum

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) in 2019, originated in Wuhan, China, and rapidly became a global health crisis of unprecedented scale. There are benefits and drawbacks to living in the connected world of today, where the internet and social media significantly contribute to the dissemination of knowledge. On one hand, information can reach a large audience in a short time. On the other side, without trusted sources, this information might be unreliable and spread quickly. It is crucial to understand where students obtain their information about the pandemic, how these sources impact their knowledge, and the relationship between their knowledge and psychological well-being. Recognizing this significance, the objective of this study is to assess students' level of COVID-19 knowledge, identify the media sources they rely on for information, and explore their psychological states. Materials and Methods: The research applied a cross-sectional design and involved participants from Aligarh Muslim University. A questionnaire comprising two sections was utilized. The first section contained questions developed by the researchers to assess the methods used for acquiring information about COVID-19 and the participants' levels of knowledge regarding the virus. The second section consisted of the "Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale (DASS-21)," a validated screening tool commonly used for assessing mental health in both patient and general populations. Results: The results show a negative relationship between sadness, anxiety, and stress levels with knowledge of COVID-19. As knowledge about COVID-19 increases, there is a decrease in the reported levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. Conclusion: These findings highlight the significance of using trustworthy and validated sources while looking for information about COVID- 19. It is crucial for authorities to promote the use of such sources to ensure accurate and credible information reaches the public.