Nursing students' knowledge, health beliefs, anxiety, and preventive health behaviors on COVID-19: A cross-sectional study

Purpose: This study aimed to describe Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related knowledge, health beliefs, anxiety levels, and preventive behaviors among nursing students and to identify factors that influence their preventive behaviors.Methods: A descriptive survey was conducted, targeting a total of 192 nursing students from March 4, 2021 to March 25, 2021. A structured questionnaire was used to identify nursing students' knowledge, health beliefs, anxiety, and preventive health behavior regarding COVID-19. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, a t-test, analysis of variance, Pearson’s correlation coefficients, and multiple regression.Results: The nursing students’ knowledge level was 15.08±1.70 out of 5, and their health belief level was 3.72±0.32 out of 5. These scores were considered high. Their anxiety score was 3.29±3.84 and considered very low. COVID-19 preventive behaviors had a positive correlation with benefits (r=.29, p<.001) and cues to action (r=.28, p<.001). Factors influencing COVID-19 preventive behaviors by multiple regression were identified as health beliefs and living arrangements (F=8.95, p<.001, Adjusted R2=14.3%).Conclusion: The findings suggest that health beliefs and living arrangements could be important factors affecting preventive health behavior in nursing college students during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study highlights the need for appropriate education and widespread awareness campaigns aimed at potential health care professionals about the prevention of new emerging diseases.