Table 2 Assessment of study participants (pharmacists and students) knowledge about coronavirus pandemic (n = 869)
Statements | Correct answer, n (%) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Total n = 869 | Students n = 382 | Pharmacists n = 404 | P-value# | |
One way of transmission of coronavirus is respiratory droplets from person to person among close contacts | 623 (93.8) | 301 (93.2) | 321 (94.4) | 0.802 |
Coronavirus can be transmitted after touching surfaces that were contaminated with the virus | 607 (91.3) | 298 (92.0) | 308 (90.6) | 0.796 |
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen can decrease the risk of complications when used during viral infections | 399 (60.3) | 145 (45.0) | 253 (74.6) | < 0.001* |
Fevers/ Dry cough/shortness of breath are associated with coronavirus | 642 (97.0) | 313 (97.5) | 328 (96.5) | 0.727 |
Muscle aches and gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea/vomiting/diarrhea) are not associated with coronavirus | 384 (57.7) | 140 (43.2) | 244 (71.8) | < 0.001* |
Hand washing with soap and water for 20 s is enough to clean the hands and protect from spreading the infection | 548 (82.7) | 258 (79.9) | 289 (85.3) | 0.045* |
Using steroids does not increase vulnerability to Coronavirus infection | 241 (36.3) | 81 (25.1) | 160 (47.2) | < 0.001* |
In general, the use of autoimmune disease treatments increases the susceptibility to get infected with the coronavirus | 387 (58.3) | 164 (50.6) | 223 (65.8) | < 0.001* |
Hydroxychloroquine has not been used as a preventative therapy against coronavirus infection | 256 (38.7) | 94 (29.1) | 161 (47.8) | < 0.001* |
Azithromycin has been used along with hydroxychloroquine in the treatment of the coronavirus infection cases | 311 (46.8) | 97 (29.9) | 214 (63.1) | < 0.001* |
Oseltamivir has not been used in the management of coronavirus infection cases | 168 (25.3) | 55 (17.0) | 113 (37.3) | < 0.001* |
Protein calorie malnutrition impairs host immunity (particularly the T-cell system) resulting in increased opportunistic infections | 317 (47.0) | 145 (44.9) | 171 (50.9) | 0.022* |
Patients should eat food that contains Vitamin C and D to boost their immunity | 620 (93.5) | 298 (92.0) | 321 (95.0) | 0.003* |
Eating food such as mushrooms and garlic is beneficial for the immune system | 487 (73.7) | 233 (71.9) | 253 (75.3) | 0.005* |
Exercise causes antibodies and white blood cells to circulate in the body more rapidly detecting infections at an early stage | 441 (66.7) | 218 (67.3) | 222 (66.1) | 0.009* |
The short-term rise in body temperature during and right after exercise increases bacterial growth, which will lower the body's ability to fight the infection | 388 (58.7) | 171 (52.9) | 216 (64.1) | 0.002* |
Not smoking and decreasing stress help support the immune system | 624 (94.5) | 303 (94.1) | 320 (95.0) | 0.751 |
Sunlight activates T-helper cells hence boosts immunity | 399 (60.5) | 175 (54.3) | 224 (66.5) | < 0.001* |
You need to keep a distance of at least 3 m (10 feet) when counseling patients during a pandemic | 168 (25.4) | 68 (21.1) | 100 (29.7) | 0.001* |
The highest risk patients in acquiring the coronavirus infection are elderly (> 65), immune-compromised and children under the age of 9 | 61 (9.3) | 29 (9.0) | 3 2(9.5) | 0.062 |