Knowledge, attitude, and practice of white coat use among medical students during clinical practice (LAUNDERKAP): A cross-sectional study.

Recent studies found white coats to be reservoirs for bacteria and medical students did not conform to proper hygiene measures when using these white coats. We investigated the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of medical students toward white coat use in clinical settings (LAUNDERKAP). A validated, online-based survey was disseminated to 670 students from four Malaysian medical schools via random sampling. Scores were classified into good, moderate, or poor knowledge and practice, and positive, neutral, or negative attitude. Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to analyze the relationship between demographic variables and knowledge, attitude, and practice scores. A total of 492/670 students responded (response rate: 73.4%). A majority showed negative attitudes (n = 246, 50%), poor knowledge (n = 294, 59.8%), and moderate practice (n = 239, 48.6%). Senior and clinical year students had more negative attitudes. Male students had higher knowledge, while students from private medical schools and preclinical years had better practice. There was a significant relationship between attitude and practice (r = 0.224, P <.01), as well as knowledge and practice (r = 0.111, P <.05). The results demonstrate the need for more education to improve medical students' infection control practices. Our results can also guide decision-making among administrators on the role of white coats as part of medical student attire. • White coats harbor harmful microorganisms, including those with drug resistance. • Medical students show poor knowledge and negative attitudes toward white coat use. • They show moderate practice overall but have poor white coat laundering habits. • KAP is correlated, thus poor knowledge and attitude may translate to poor practice. • More education is needed to improve medical students' knowledge and practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]