Novel coronavirus pneumonia epidemic-related knowledge, behaviors and psychology status among college students and their family members and friends: an internet-based cross-sectional survey

Objective To understand the cognition, behavioral response and psychological response of community population to the pneumonia epidemic of new coronavirus infection, and to provide information basis for epidemic prevention and control. Methods On January 31, 2020, a questionnaire survey was conducted via the Internet. Convenient sampling was adopted. Key surveys were distributed in 4 colleges and universities in Guangdong Province. The students surveyed were invited to send them to their families and friends to fill out. Results As of February 4, 2020, a total of 22 302 questionnaires were received, with an effective rate of 96.5% (22 302/23 100); males accounted for 33.2% and 84.0% were students. 80.7%~98.3% of the respondents knew about the various routes of transmission of the new coronavirus, 1.7%~30.9% of the people believed the false information circulating on the network, 98.6%~99.2% of the respondents believed that the number of gatherings should be reduced and the number of people should be avoided. The place is important for controlling the epidemic. One week before the survey, 57.7% of students and 63.4% of non-students wore masks each time during the party, and 24.2% of those wearing masks had repeated use of masks. In the past two weeks, 22.9% of the respondents had mild depression tendency, and 9.5% of them achieved moderate, severe and extremely severe depression, among which students and non-students were 9.6% and 8.1% respectively. 2.2% have contacted relatives and friends in Hubei. Conclusion The existing propaganda is strong, and the respondents have a high awareness rate of basic knowledge. It is necessary to further strengthen the real-time disclosure of information, accurate analysis and interpretation, and guide correct public opinion. Sexual cases, repeated use of masks, etc. require more correct guidance. In addition, dynamic and continuous monitoring of community residents' cognition, behavior, and psychology should be carried out to guide prevention and control and publicity strategy formulation.