Abstract

TO EVALUATE THE PREPAREDNESS AND AWARENESS REGARDING COVID-19 AMONG DIFFERENT SECTION OF POPULATION: CROSS SECTIONAL SURVEY

Geeta Rawat* and Shalini Sharma

.

Abstract

Background: Globally COVID was declared as pandemic by WHO in early March 2020. Various preventative measures are being opted to fight with the wide spread of the pandemic due to pandemic it is challenging for the govt to make people follow the preventive measures which is influenced by the awareness level about the disease. Aim: This study was aimed to assess the level of awareness and preparedness to fight against COVID-19 among the general population of the U.P, India. Methods: cross-sectional survey was conducted using a self preparedquestionnaire among the general population (age ≥ 15 years). The collected data were analyzed using statistical software. Results: Among 1,000 participants. Majority of respondents showed awareness of COVID-19 (98.7%) as a deadly, contagious, and life-threatening disease (90%) that is transmitted through human-to-human contact (90%). Respondents have received majority of information through social media were termed as the most reliable source of information by majority of the participants (314). Hand hygiene (37.7%) and social distancing (86%) were the most common preventive measures taken by respondents that were followed by avoiding traveling (89.6%) to an infected area or country. Significant proportions of Health care workers and students (P < 0.05) and more educated respondents (P < 0.05) showed adequate knowledge of the disease, and respondents from HCPshow appropriate preparedness for the prevention of COVID-19. Conclusion: it is critical to improve the awareness and preparedness growing need for the adoption of innovative local strategies to improve awareness in general population related to COVID-19.

Keywords: coronavirus, pandemic, awareness, preparedness, healthcare works, questionnaire.