COVID-19- a public health emergency: what do we know? A cross-sectional study on community awareness level towards COVID-19 in Uttar Pradesh, India

Authors

  • Fahad Afzal Department of Administration, Quality Control and Operations, I.T. Super Speciality Hospital, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, India
  • Rehan Siddiqui Department of Dentistry, Government Medical College Kannauj, Uttar Pradesh, India http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0099-3156
  • Mohammad R. Khan Mahatma Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Dental Sciences, Gorimedu, Priyadarshini Nagar, Puducherry, India
  • Maria Afzal Centre for Management Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia University, Jamia Nagar, Okhla, New Delhi, India
  • Nabeela Usmani Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Integral University, Kursi Rd, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20204762

Keywords:

COVID, Awareness, Anthropozoonosis, Coronavirus, Nutrition, Public health

Abstract

Background: The aim of this survey study was to assess the level of awareness amongst the population of Uttar Pradesh province of India regarding the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in the month of August 2020 amongst 1024 respondents in Uttar Pradesh province, to assess their awareness towards COVID-19 pandemic and its preventive measures.

Result: Majority of respondents are aware about some aspects of COVID-19 which are highlighted by media but there also exist a significant knowledge gaps. Awareness level of respondents is high for some aspects of COVID-19, such as; animal responsible for anthropozoonosis, prevention, symptoms, contagiousness of COVID-19. Respondents also expressed the importance of proper nutrition and balanced diet to strengthen the immune system and recover from COVID-19 infection. Also, a considerable percentage of respondents are not fully aware about the risk imposed by COVID-19 on different age groups.

Conclusion: Upon the understanding of awareness level of the respondents regarding different aspects of COVID-19, it is clear that there exists a certain knowledge gap, which should be rectified by direct contact of population with the healthcare providers and government health agencies. Government and healthcare agencies should utilize social networking websites as a platform of direct information communication. Intense education program regarding COVID-19 should be initiated by Indian Government enabling direct interaction and ensuring only authentic and complete information is imparted in the population. Government could develop their own program incorporating World Health Organization open course program regarding COVID-19.

Author Biographies

Fahad Afzal, Department of Administration, Quality Control and Operations, I.T. Super Speciality Hospital, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, India

Manager – Operations & Quality, Administration Dept., I.T. Super Speciality Hospital.

Rehan Siddiqui, Department of Dentistry, Government Medical College Kannauj, Uttar Pradesh, India

Senior Resident, Department of Dentistry, Government Medical College, Kannauj, Uttar Pradesh, India

Mohammad R. Khan, Mahatma Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Dental Sciences, Gorimedu, Priyadarshini Nagar, Puducherry, India

Senior Resident, Mahatma Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Dental Sciences, Puducherry , India

Maria Afzal, Centre for Management Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia University, Jamia Nagar, Okhla, New Delhi, India

Research Scholar, Centre for Management Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia University, Okhla, New Delhi, India

Nabeela Usmani, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Integral University, Kursi Rd, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India

Post Graduate Student, Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, Integral University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.

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Published

2020-10-26

How to Cite

Afzal, F., Siddiqui, R., Khan, M. R., Afzal, M., & Usmani, N. (2020). COVID-19- a public health emergency: what do we know? A cross-sectional study on community awareness level towards COVID-19 in Uttar Pradesh, India. International Journal Of Community Medicine And Public Health, 7(11), 4562–4569. https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20204762

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Original Research Articles