Abstract
Bangladesh recently experienced a COVID-19 second wave, resulting in the highest number of new cases and deaths in a single day. This study aims to identify the challenges for COVID-19 preventive practices and risk communications and associated factors among Bangladeshi adults. A cross-sectional survey was conducted between December 2020 and January 2021 involving 1382 Bangladeshi adults (aged ≥ 18-years) in randomly selected urban and rural areas from all eight divisions in Bangladesh. Descriptive data analysis was conducted to highlight the challenges for preventive practices and risk communications for COVID-19. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to determine the sociodemographic groups vulnerable to these challenges. Lack of availability of protective equipment (44.4%), crowded living situations/workspaces (36.8%), inadequate information on the proper use of protective measures (21.9%), inadequate handwashing and sanitation facilities (17.6%), and negative influences on family/friends (17.4%) were identified as barriers to COVID-19 preventive practices. It was also found that males (OR = 1.3, 95% CI = 1.01, 1.7), rural residents (OR = 1.5, 95% CI = 1.2, 2), respondents with a low level of education: no schooling vs. ≥higher secondary (OR = 3.5, 95% CI = 2.3, 5.2), primary vs. ≥higher secondary (OR = 2.5, 95% CI = 1.7, 3.8), respondents engaged in agricultural (OR = 1.7, 95% CI = 1.2, 2.4), laboring (OR = 3.2, 95% CI = 2, 5), and domestic works (OR = 1.6, 95% CI = 1.07, 2.5), and people with disabilities (OR = 1.7, 95% CI = 1.1, 2.6) were all likely to have difficulty in practicing effective COVID-19 protective behaviors. Respondents’ education and occupation were significant predictors of inadequate understanding of COVID-19 risk communications and was identified as a problem among 17.4% of the respondents. A substantial percentage of Bangladeshi adults have difficulty practising COVID-19 protective behaviours and have poor comprehension of risk communications, particularly in rural areas and among those with low education. This research can aid policymakers in developing tailored COVID-19 risk communications and mitigation strategies to help prevent future waves of the pandemic.
Highlights
Following the detection of the first case of COVID-19 in Bangladesh on 8 March 2021, the country has about 0.8 million cases with 12 thousand deaths [1]
This study identified the unavailability of protective equipment and crowded living spaces as significant barriers to practising COVID-19 protective behaviours and identified those sociodemographic groups that are more likely to face these barriers
This evidence can help policymakers develop intervention strategies such as the free distribution of masks and other protective equipment, for vulnerable groups. It emphasizes the need for developing culture- and context-specific alternative strategies for people whose socioeconomic circumstances do not allow them to maintain recommended protective behaviours such as “social distancing” and “frequent handwashing.”
Summary
Following the detection of the first case of COVID-19 in Bangladesh on 8 March 2021, the country has about 0.8 million cases with 12 thousand deaths [1]. Bangladesh experienced a surge in infections from June to August 2020, marking the first wave of the virus. Several containment measures were applied to control the situation, including a countrywide lockdown and travel and social activities restrictions. Risk communication strategies were developed and deployed in the country as part of the National.
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