The COVID-19 pandemic, first identified in December 2019 in Wuhan, China, rapidly became a global health crisis, with millions of cases and significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Healthcare students, as future frontline workers, play a critical role in infection prevention and control, particularly in tasks such as COVID-19 test sampling, where adherence to proper procedures is essential to reduce transmission risk. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding infection control among healthcare students in Vietnam during COVID-19 test sampling activities. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among healthcare students involved in COVID-19 sampling. Data on knowledge, attitudes, and practical skills were collected using structured questionnaires and observation checklists. Students’ ability to correctly implement infection control measures—such as wearing and removing gloves, hand hygiene, and maintaining minimum safe distance—was evaluated. Sociodemographic factors, including gender, course of study, and level of training, were analyzed to identify associations with KAP outcomes. Results showed that 59% of students demonstrated a positive attitude toward maintaining minimum safe distance during sampling. Practical knowledge was high: 100% of students correctly demonstrated the proper use and removal of gloves, while 95% performed correct handwashing techniques. Several factors, including students’ gender and course of study, were significantly associated with their level of knowledge and adherence to infection control protocols. These findings highlight a generally strong foundation of practical skills among healthcare students, though gaps in attitude and knowledge regarding certain preventive measures remain. The study underscores the importance of continuous training and reinforcement of infection control practices among healthcare students, especially in the context of highly transmissible pathogens like SARS-CoV-2. Ensuring that students are well-prepared not only protects them during clinical activities but also contributes to broader public health efforts to control the spread of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases
Nguyen et al. (Fri,) studied this question.