KNOWLEDGE AND AWARENESS OF GENERAL POPULATION DURING COVID-19: A CROSS SECTIONAL SURVEY BASED STUDY

*Suhani Agarwal, Dr. Anant Patil and Dr. Vaishali Thakare

ABSTRACT

Objective: To evaluate knowledge and awareness about Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Material and Methods: In this cross sectional study, a pre-tested questionnaire comprising of questions related to knowledge and awareness about COVID-19 was administered adult people in India. Results: A total of 241 people (mean age 30.45 years; 56.85% male) participated of whom 214 (88.80%) were aware that COVID-19 is a primarily respiratory illness and 237 (98.34%) were aware about spread of corona virus from person to person. A total of 235 (97.51%) were aware that recovery is possible from COVID-19 and 225 (93.36%) were aware that there is no vaccine for protection against it. A total of 221 (91.70%) participants mentioned that coronavirus can spread by coughing, sneezing as well as touching the contaminated objects. According to 221 (91.70%) participants, person with positive test for corona virus is a confirmed case and 189 (78.42%) reported that patient having positive rest for coronavirus but no symptoms are asymptomatic carrier. According to 223 (92.53%) elderly people are at higher risk of developing more complications due to COVID-19. According to 239 (99.17%) participants washing hand with soap and water for > 20 seconds and avoiding close contact with sick people is important for prevention of spread of virus. According to 210 (87.14%), mask helps in protection of self and others. According to 180 (74.69%) participants lockdown is useful for breaking chain of transmission of virus. Conclusion: Knowledge and awareness about most of the aspects of COVID-19 disease is good among the study participants.

Keywords: Awareness, COVID-19, knowledge.