A Survey to Assess the Knowledge, Attitude and Practice about COVID-19 Pandemic from West Bengal, India
Published: April 1, 2021 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.7860/JCDR/2021/45904.14780
Subhrojyoti Bhowmick, Saksham Parolia, Shubham Jana, Debarati Kundu, Sujit Karpurkayastha, Krishnangshu Ray, Nina Das, Asok Kumar Mandal
1. Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacology, KPC Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
2. Intern, Department of Pharmacy Practice, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India.
3. Ex-Executive Clinical Research and Academics, Department of Clinical Research, Peerless Hospitex Hospital and Research Center Ltd., Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
4. Executive Clinical Research and Quality Assurance, Department of Clinical Research, Peerless Hospitex Hospital and Research Center Ltd., Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
5. Consultant Gastroenterologist, Department of Gastroenterology, Peerless Hospitex Hospital and Research Center Ltd., Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
6. Medical Director, Peerless Hospitex Hospital and Research Center Ltd., Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
7. Professor and Head, Department of Pharmacology, KPC Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
8. Professor and Head, Department of Community Medicine, KPC Medical College, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
Correspondence
Shubham Jana,
157/212, Bigyan Bharati, Rabindra Nagar, Laskarpur, Kolkata-700153, West Bengal, India.
E-mail: sjana9424@gmail.com
Introduction: The Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) that originated in China in December 2019 was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organisation (WHO) on 11th March, 2020. It has resulted in extensive lockdown measures in India and in the state of West Bengal. Both Central and State Governments have made considerable efforts to increase awareness about the pandemic among the general public.
Aim: This study was conducted to assess the Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice (KAP) among the general public of West Bengal about the pandemic as no such data is available till date.
Materials and Methods: The retrospective survey was undertaken among the general public of the state of West Bengal, India, by means of social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin and WhatsApp) through a validated e-questionnaire containing 10 questions during 18th April, 2020 to 3rd May, 2020. Data was captured on Google Forms, which were analysed using appropriate tools.
Results: A total of 355 responses were obtained. A 97% of responders were completely aware of the pandemic with 92% practising preventive measures, such as social distancing, washing hands, and wearing a mask. Majority of the participants were young (18-30 years of age) with 51% being males. A 99% of the responders were literate and 86% were from urban dwelling. Total 61% of the participants stated that they have learnt something new after participating in this survey.
Conclusion: KAP about COVID-19 pandemic was found to be high in the general population of West Bengal. Involvement of various social media platforms is required for generating mass awareness about COVID-19 in rural West Bengal. Continuous communication and survey by the Government is necessary to spread public awareness as information about COVID-19 is constantly evolving.
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