Egyptian school children awareness and precautions in Covid19 pandemic: a cross sectional survey study

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 (Corona Virus Disease 2019) is showing a wide global spread, and urgent joint international efforts is required to the control of this pandemic, the awareness of people towards infectious viruses still the main factor to limit the widespread of disease. The aim of this study is to assess the level of awareness and attitude towards COVID-19 among a sample of Egyptian school children, using a web-based questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 708 participants were involved in this online survey study, representing different areas in Egypt, 378 males (53.4%), 330 females (46.5%); their age range between 6 and 18 years. Regarding the residence, 576 (81.4%) were from urban areas, the remaining 132 (18.6%) were from non-urban areas. Internet and media were more frequent used as a source of information in urban students. The knowledge level score of risk and prevention of the disease were significantly higher in urban students than in non-urban students. Healthy practice score ≥ 50 were significantly more frequent in urban students. Healthy practice score was non-significantly higher in urban students. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the study participants of school students are knowledgeable about basic information, and have cautious preventive practices towards COVID-19, denoting the efficacy of the public health efforts. However, the lower level of awareness in non-urbans, indicating a need to address alternative channels to communicate with these populations