IJCM₁98A: Effectiveness of a video assisted awareness program on knowledge and practices of road safety among Medical students of Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh: An Interventional Study.

Background: Road safety is an issue of great concern across the world. In the last year 1,354,840 road users have died equivalent to 3712 deaths per day in the world. It is crucial to create awareness about the road safety to instill responsible behavior among citizens. Objectives: To assess baseline knowledge and practices of road safety among medical students. To compare the change in knowledge and practices assessed one month after a video assisted awareness program. Methodology: An interventional study was conducted among medical students from 1st professional year to final year, interns at Rangaraya medical college, Kakinada. Considering prevalence of 58.3% from previous study, allowable error 10%, sample size is calculated by using 4PQ/L2 as 287. Out of 1450 medical students, 287 were selected using Probability Proportionate to size sampling and 40, 50, 50, 48, 50, 49 from 2018-2023 batches using Simple Random Sampling. Students who gave written consent were included; non-drivers were excluded. Pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire was prepared and google form was shared to the study participants. A pilot study was done among 30 students. The study was approved by Institutional Ethics Committee. Data was analyzed using SPSS software Version 21. After baseline study, intervention will be done using a video assisted awareness program. Post-intervention results will be presented at the conference. Results: Among the participants, males and females were 46.5%, 53.5% respectively. Majority of them (77.7%) drive a two-wheeler. 70.3% have poor knowledge regarding airbag deployment during a crash, poor knowledge about vehicle maintenance (70.7%). About 77.7% do not use helmet, 44.9% do not use seat belt, 45.3% had distracted driving. Conclusion: The knowledge of participants was found to be fair and the practices were found to be poor.