Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has spread globally and resulted in the COVID-19 pandemic worldwide. To depict the psychological and behavioral responses, and knowledge of nursing interns who are facing the COVID-19 epidemic in China, we conducted a knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) survey using a convenience sample in the First People’s Hospital of Lianyungang, Kangda College of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Province, China. Methods: : A combination of a face-to-face questionnaire survey and an online survey was used for nursing interns from 12 Chinese universities. The Symptom Checklist 90 was used to investigate anxiety and depression of the nursing interns during the COVID-19 epidemic. Self-designed questionnaires were used to investigate behavioral responses, COVID-19-related knowledge, and preventive measures. Results: : During the COVID-19 epidemic, the mean score of anxiety of 237 surveyed nursing interns were not statistically significantly different with that of the Chinese norm (1.42 vs. 1.39, P = 0.354). However, the mean score of depression of them were lower than that of the Chinese norm (1.22 vs. 1.50, P < 0.001). However, no statistically significant difference in the anxiety or depression was found between demographic subgroups. The most common way for the nursing interns to seek for help was asking for instructor or other medical professionals (89.45%). When the nursing interns had suspected symptoms, they will most likely go to the hospital for treatment (97.89%). The nursing interns have good knowledge regarding the origin and prevention of COVID-19 (correct percentage > 94%), however less knowledge regarding treatment and incubation (correct percentage < 10%). Conclusion: The nursing interns showed relative lower depression in the face of COVID-19 public health emergencies, and took proper preventive measures during the epidemic, however, were lack of certain epidemiology knowledge about COVID-19.
Psychological and behavioral responses of nursing interns from 12 Chinese universities during the COVID-19 epidemic: a knowledge, attitude and practice survey