A Conception and Application of Biosafety Strategies in Daily Life for Preventing Communicable Diseases among Senior Secondary Students: A Cross-Sectional KAP Study in Dehradun District

Sukla  Sinha; Geetu  Gupta; Lalit  Sachan; Himanshu  Tolani

Sukla Sinha School of Education, Jigyasa University, Formerly Himgiri ZEE University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India
Geetu Gupta School of Education, Jigyasa University, Formerly Himgiri ZEE University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India
Lalit Sachan Centre for AI, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India
Himanshu Tolani School of Health Science and Technology, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India

Keywords: Students, Health Education, Biosafety, Knowledge-Attitude-Practice, Communicable Disease, Disease Transmission, Public Health

Abstract

Background and Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic expanded biosafety beyond laboratory settings and highlighted its importance in routine life for preventing communicable diseases. As adolescents develop
greater responsibility for their own health practices, this study assessed senior secondary students’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding daily-life biosafety preventive strategies to promote biosafety
as an essential life skill.
Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive survey design was used, with a validated, structured questionnaire with 58 items covering hygiene; infection control measures for communicable diseases, including zoonotic and vector-borne diseases; food and water safety; and safe waste management and environmental hygiene. Pearson and Spearman correlations, Welch’s t-tests, and multivariable regressions were calculated through Python software (3.13.9).
Results: Students presented moderate knowledge (62.74%, mean 14.03, SD = 3.42), high attitudes (82.14%, mean 54.26, SD = 6.28), and stronger practices (56.31%, mean 84.17, SD = 11.92) regarding biosafety. Across KAP domains, female, urban, science, and private school students significantly outperformed their counterparts. A weak but positive correlation was detected among knowledge-attitude (r = 0.470), attitude-practice (r = 0.429) and knowledge-practice (r = 0.275). Regression analysis identified attitude as the primary predictor of practice (beta = 0.66, ), followed by knowledge (beta = 0.32, p= 0.012).
Conclusion: The KAP pattern of moderate knowledge score, high attitude, and practice implied the externally driven habit formation and high motivation among adolescents. A weak yet positive association was
found between conceptual knowledge, attitude, and application. The integration of cognitive, motivational, and contextual factors was essential for school-based interventions and to form behavioural practices.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24321/0019.5138.202647

How to cite this article:
Sinha S, Gupta G, Sachan L, Tolani H. Conception and Application of Biosafety Strategies in Daily
Life for Preventing Communicable Diseases among Senior Secondary Students: A Cross
Sectional KAP Study in Dehradun District. J Commun Dis. 2026;58(3):1-12.

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