Özet:

Background and Purpose: COVID-19 is an important public health problem impacting the whole world. This study aimed to evaluate health technician students' knowledge and behaviors regarding COVID-19 and protective measures. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed with Dokuz Eylül University Health Services Vocational School students (n=648). Data were collected online using a descriptive data registration form that consisted of 65 questions via Google Forms. Results: While the students' mean knowledge score on COVID-19 and protective measures was 15.31±3.22, the mean behavior score was 10.53±3.34. A significant difference was detected between the students' education program, gender, father's educational status, smoking, and exercise habits and total behavior score averages related to COVID-19 and protective measures (p<0.05). Students who received training on the prevention of infectious diseases during their student years and who stated that they received any training on COVID-19 had higher mean knowledge and behavior scores regarding protective measures against COVID-19 (p<0.05). Students who were afraid of being infected with COVID-19, who had had COVID-19, and whose relatives died due to COVID-19 had higher mean behavior scores regarding protective measures against COVID-19 (p<0.05). Conclusion: It was revealed that the students participating in the study had moderate knowledge about COVID-19 and protective measures and exhibited positive behavior regarding protective measures. Since increasing the knowledge levels of future health technicians will also be reflected in their protective behaviors, which are important for their professional life, it is recommended that necessary arrangements be made in the education curriculum to improve their knowledge and behavior.

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