Attitude, Behavior, and Practices of Infection Control (Hand Washing, Social Distancing and Wearing Mask) among Communities During COVID-19 Outbreak in Areas, (Orangi, Baldia, Movach, Site, Garden, Nazimabad, Qayyumabad) of Karachi, Pakistan

Abstract

Background Novel corona virus infectious disease covid-19 was first time reported in Wuhan city of China at the end of December 2019.[1] Which proliferated rapidly in China and then around the globe in 209 countries of USA, Europe, Australia, and Asia as well as Pakistan. The death toll around the world has been reached to more than 42 million and 2 billion have been affected so far,[3] in Pakistan the death toll reached to 23 thousand and affected population reached to 10 million and still numbers increasing rapidly.[5] Government taken Various measures in Pakistan for the control of covid-19. Despite of having insufficient funds Pakistan also taken accurate quantify like planned special hospitals, laboratories for testing, isolation facilities, mindfulness drive and lock down to minimize spread virus. Despite the government strict policy towards COVID-19 there are many people who are unable to follow the measures which add into the rapid spread of virus. the aim of the study is to assess the attitude, behavior, and practice among the resident of Karachi specifically those who are residing in SITE area, Orangi Town, Baldia Town, Movach Goth, Nazimabad, Garden, Qayyumabad and Gulshan-e-Iqbal to know the public response towards following SOPs.  Method A self-administered questionnaire was designed, based on determined attitude, behavior, and practices among the resident of Karachi during COVID-19 outbreak. Questionnaire were prepared at google form and accessible online for the participants. The questionnaire was processed to the residents of Karachi, between the duration from 12, June to 10, July 2021. The collected data was analyzed with help of SPSS version 26.0 (IBM) to identify the attitude behavior and practices of people during COVID-19 outbreak. The responses were analyzed based on age, gender, level of education, and income, to identify statistical correlation by utilizing chi square test.  Results The study included 318 participants, out of which 193(61%) males and 125(39%) were female. The majority (291;92%) of the participant was familiar with the covid 19, (94%; 299) of the participant were concerned about the health of their families, (95%;303) agreed that self- care and protection can reduce the possibility to get infected by COVID-19 infection, a vast majority (98%; 313) participants were following cough etiquettes.  Conclusion All of the study participants were from Karachi and they have reasonably good attitude, behavior and practices towards COVID-19 precautions, but still there must be given further awareness to cope with the social and psychological impact of the COVID-19 on public health, and also awareness session should be taken into account to reduce the spread of the infection COVID-19.