Examination of the Information and Opinions of Paramedic Students on Bioterrorism and Biological Agents

Aim: The aim of this research is to examine the information and opinions of paramedic students about bioterrorism and biological agents. Material and Methods: This study was conducted between May and June 2018 that be made descriptive. The universe of the research was the First and Emergency Program students (n=200) of Gümü？hane University Kelkit Health Services Vocational School. Study was conducted with 164 students who agreed to fill out the study questionnaire. The data were collected by means of the "participant's introductory information" and "participant's knowledge and opinions on bioterrorism and biological agents" questionnaire which are created by participants. Descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation, minimum and maximum, percentage distributions) and Pearson Chi-square test were used in the evaluation of the data. Results: It was determined that 51.8% of the paramedic candidates participating in the survey were female, mean age was 19.99 ± 1.12 (Min: 18-Max: 24), 56.1% of them were first-year students, 50.6% of them were health vocational high school graduates, and 47.0% of them lived in the city, 48.2% is equivalent to the expense of the income. It was determined that approximately half of the students (55.5%) wanted to have education about bioterrorism, and the majority (69.5%) knew the roles and responsibilities of the paramedics against bioterrorism. In addition, it was determined that only 37.8% of the students knew that the detection of biological agents was difficult and could not be understood by the senses. Conclusion: While the majority of the students (69.5%) knew the roles and responsibilities of the paramedics against bioterrorism, their knowledge of bioterrorism and biological agents was not at the desired level. In line with the findings obtained, training and exercise planning were conducted for paramedic candidates on bioterrorism and biological agents at certain periods in the education-teaching processes