Dietary diversity, hygiene, and lifestyle practices among adult residents during COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study from Bangladesh

Abstract

BackgroundCOVID-19 is an international emergency public health concern that poses significant challenges. Intake of adequate immune-boosting nutrients from natural sources, proper hygiene practices, and ideal lifestyle practices must be adhered to during this condition, along with the discovery of protective vaccines. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the dietary, hygiene, and lifestyle practices among adult residents during the COVID-19 pandemic situation in the Jashore district, Bangladesh. MethodologyThis cross-sectional study was conducted through face-to-face interviews with 500 adult respondents of both genders (age ≥ 18 years). A structured and validated questionnaire was used to collect data on socio-demographic information, dietary diversity, hygiene, and lifestyle practices. Multivariate logistic regression was employed to evaluate and predict factors that influence the study variables. ResultsThe study found that about 44.60% had medium, 27% had low, and 28.40% had high dietary diversity. Regarding the dietary practices, age (p = 0.001), education (p = 0.005), occupation (p = 0.015), and COVID-19 experience (p = 0.001) of respondents were significantly associated with both residential. Hygiene practices such as using a face mask, hand sanitizer use, covering the face during coughing, and hand shaking were significantly associated (p < 0.05) with respondents in both residential areas. In logistic regression analysis, factors associated with poor hygiene practices were being male, illiterate, > 40 years of age, smokers, malnourished respondents in rural areas, obese, > 40 years of age, and having income < 10000 BDT in urban areas. About 40.4% of urban and 45.6% of rural respondents were found to be engaged in physical activity. ConclusionThe study found that the respondents mostly had access to medium dietary diversity, and rural residents maintained a better lifestyle while urban respondents practiced better hygiene. Based on the findings, the study suggests increasing public awareness regarding dietary diversity, hygiene, and lifestyle practices in both rural and urban areas to mitigate the consequences of COVID-19.