Change in Covid19 Related Perception and Practices Amid Inhabitants Of Kerala, Post Primary Level Intervention: A Field Trial done after the peak of second wave

Abstract

Introduction: Since many cases of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) first appeared in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. The virus has infected millions worldwide. On January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that the outbreak of COVD-19 constituted a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), calling for countries to take urgent and aggressive action against the spread of the virus. Methodology: This is a Field trial at all the 14 districts in the state of Kerala From May 2021 – Sept2021. Data Collection Period: Data collection began after getting approval from Institutional Ethical committee and after obtaining permanent registration number from Clinical Trial Registry of India. Results: Socio-demographic Profile of the study participants: The mean age of the study participants was 43.74 ± 15.502 years. It was found that 68% of the respondents were from South Kerala and there was almost equal participation from Central and North Kerala. More than half of the study participants were males (60%). Almost half of the study population were Hindus (47.1%). Perception and Practices regarding Covid 19, pre and post intervention: On doing the assessment of knowledge, during pre test, 59% participants were found to have adequate Knowledge (score> 80%) which increased to 62% post intervention. Similarly 56% had an agreeing attitude and 55% had accurate covid19 guideline related practices in the pre test which increased to 57% and 63% respectively. Conclusion: This Study shows that more than half of the study participants had adequate knowledge, agreeing attitude and good practice but it is a point of concern that the other half had low perception and practice. This reflects the fact that, in place of online intervention, full blown primary health intervention strategies focussing on reducing the gap between perception and practices of Covid19 will make a great difference in this period of time were the government is relaxing the restrictions that were enforced due to the pandemic.