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Background: The Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic continues its deadly reign all over the world. Devising effective strategies for detecting and controlling the infection has become ever more critical. Effective prevention and control of the pandemic is entirely dependent on human behavior in terms of practicing preventive and curative measures. During the second wave of COVID-19, people's perceptions of preventive and curative measures changed.Objective: To study healthcare-seeking behavior of hospitalized COVID-19 patients.Methods: Hospitalized patients due to COVID-19 in the month of March, April and May of 2021 were included in the study. Their attendants/close relatives were contacted telephonically to know about the admitted patients' healthcare-seeking behavior. Verbal consent was taken from attendants before the commencement of the interview, followed by informing them about the purpose of the interview.Results: Amongst the subjects, there were more males than females (67.5 vs 32.4%), age ranged between 18 to 88 with a mean value of 56.61 +/- 14.7 years. Self-medication was significantly associated with study subjects' mortality (p=0.03).Conclusion: Elderly people were having higher mortality rate than their younger counterparts. People were hesitant to visit primary care physicians after having symptoms of COVID-19.
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Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome novel Beta-Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) re-emerged in November 2019 in Wuhan (Hubei, China) and rapidly affected nearly 220countries across the globe due to its highly infectious nature. The purpose for conducting this study is to estimate current COVID-19vaccination hesitancy amongpeople residing in these Rural areas. Such type of study has not been done in most of the region of India. It has been assumed that one of the most important hindrances in attaining the goal for herd immunization in order to reduce the burden of the pandemicity is hesitancy and doubtful attitude and behavior regarding vaccine safety among majority of the population worldwide. The objectives areto estimate the prevalence of Covid-19 Vaccination hesitancy and to assess the associated factors in such rural areas. Material(s) and Method(s): Cross-sectional study having total participants of 220 were selected by multistage sampling method and interviewed by pretested interview- schedule and collected data were analyzed using SPSS Version 26.0 and Microsoft Excel 2007. Result(s): Out of 220 participants, 72were estimated as hesitant towards vaccination against Covid-19(P- value: 0.003). Conclusion(s): A high prevalence of hesitant population was observed which is 34%. Almost all study parameters were detected to be associated in contributing hesitancy towards vaccination against Covid-19. ©Copyright: the Author(s), 2022 Licensee PAGEPress, Italy.
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Background & Objective: Proper mask wearing reduces the transmissibility and risk of Covid-19 infection still compliance to mask use is low. This study was conducted to observe the mask usage pattern, perception and barriers to effective mask usage (EMU). Settings and Design: This cross-sectional study was conducted in collaboration with district police administration to observe mask usage pattern in various crowded places. Methods and Material: Participants from general public (n=6995) in 10 preselected areas of city were observed and then interviewed about their perceptions about EMU. Indirect observation of EMU was also done by screening CCTV footage, followed by another set of observation at same places after conducting a health education campaign. Data was entered in Microsoft excel and analyzed using SPSS. P value <0.05 was considered significant. Results: EMU was seen in nearly 62% participants. Younger age, native population, education above matric, persons driving two & four wheelers, had significantly higher compliance. During CCTV observation, EMU was 57.5%, and was highest near public places, roads and intersections while lowest near bus stand and religious places. Some improvement in compliance was seen after health education at these places. Breathing difficulty, no use of wearing mask and feeling uncomfortable were the most common reasons given by participants for non-compliance. Conclusions: EMU was lower in elderly, migrants, less educated, unemployed, daily wage workers, so these groups should be especially sensitized about preventive measures. There is need for extensive public education to bring out behavioral change regarding proper mask wearing to control this pandemic and prevent further waves. © 2021, Indian Association of Preventive and Social Medicine. All rights reserved.