Abstract

A QUESTIONNAIRE-BASED STUDY TO ASSESS KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE, AWARENESS, AND PERCEPTIONS IN COVID-19 POSITIVE PATIENTS IN A TERTIARY CARE CENTER

*Dr. Namrata Rajendra Pawar, Dr. Vasundhara Kashinath Bhople, Dr. Suhaas Kisanrao Wighne and Dr. Uma Anand Bhosale

ABSTRACT

Purpose: COVID19 a new global pandemic, is having the most devastating effects, its emergence and spread cause confusion, anxiety, and fear among the general public. It has caused millions of infections, and thousands of deaths worldwide. People in the community face several challenges during such periods. The cases in India are increasing every day despite substantial efforts and control measures by the health authorities. Patient's knowledge, attitude, awareness, and perception influence their adherence towards COVID-19 control measures. Lack of these factors contributes to an unconcerned mindset that can harm the ability to overcome these challenges. Methods: An Observational, non-interventional, questionnaire-based study was conducted by the Department of Pharmacology in the COVID ward of SKNMC & GH, Pune. This was a questionnaire-based study including questions on four main categories: Knowledge (8 items) attitude (4 items), awareness (5 items), and perceptions (5 items) in COVID-19 positive patients. Results: The COVID positive patients in our study had a moderate level of knowledge about the COVID-19 infection and adequate knowledge about its preventive aspects. The attitude showed people’s willingness to follow government guidelines on quarantine and social distancing. There was satisfactory awareness in patients of different aspects, such as self-quarantine, regular hand washing, use of N 95 masks, with a positive perspective to deal with this pandemic. Conclusions: The study suggests that COVID-19 patients have good knowledge and perception, confident attitudes, and appropriate awareness.

Keywords: COVID-19, Knowledge, Attitude, Awareness, Perception.