A Cross Sectional Study on Adherence to COVID Appropriate Behaviour and Contributing Factors among Vaccinated Individuals Attending ENT Out-Patient Department of a Teaching Hospital in India

Abstract

Introduction With the commencement of mass vaccination drive globally against COVID-19 infection, the daily COVID appropriate behaviour may be neglected among the population. However the long term efficacy and safety of vaccines is not confirmatory yet. Hence the study was carried out to assess the post-vaccination COVID appropriate behaviour and contributing factors. Materials and Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in the out-patient department of ENT of a teaching hospital in India from November 2021 to January 2022 among 448 vaccinated individuals. Face to face interview of the participants with a schedule was carried out for data collection. The data were analyzed by means of proportion and Chi-square test. Results More than 90% of the participants practiced greeting without physical contact, covering nose, mouth during coughing or sneezing, social distancing. But thorough hand washing technique was maintained by less than 75% of the respondents and post-vaccination mask use was reduced to around 68%. Participants of female gender, younger age group, with no history of prior COVID-19 infection were found to be more compliant with precautionary measures and significantly (p<0.05) varied in relation to wearing facemasks and hand washing. Conclusion Thus regardless of the vaccination status, adherence to personal preventive behaviours is necessary to prevent the further spread of COVID-19 infection. It can be emphasized by the competent authority by maintaining some regulations and the same message can be disseminated by health education materials to the general population with special emphasis on high risk groups.