English

Abstract

BACKGROUND COVID-19 a disease caused by SARS CoV-2 virus ever since its emergence as a pandemic in March 2020 has taken a toll on human race. Social distancing and use of face masks in public places, are globally recognized as two vital components of the preventive strategy for slowing down the transmission of SARS CoV-2. The purpose of the current study was to quantify the behaviour of wearing masks and practice of social distancing amongst general population and also observing the same in one of the red zones of Jammu and Kashmir. METHODS A cross-sectional study, was conducted by the Department of Community Medicine, SKIMS Medical College, Srinagar [red zone] of UT Jammu & Kashmir during the 2nd lockdown announced from 15th April 2020 to 5th May 2020 that had made provision for relaxation of essential services. One hundred randomly selected locations [wards] within the city especially around the food outlets, bank, grocery stores, mohalla centres within the red zone which could operate during the lock down were included in the study to get the requisite sample. RESULTS From randomly chosen locations, 895 persons available for observation were taken up for the study. Mask use was seen in 67.3 % of population. Majority were wearing woven fabric masks (33.6 %) followed by 23.2 % (all women) using dupatta [head cover] as mask & 19.5 % using surgical masks. Reasons for not wearing the masks were that necessity of wearing them was not perceived in 68.4 % whereas 20.5 % reported discomfort on wearing masks. Social distancing was least observed by majority of 65 % (N = 582). CONCLUSIONS Despite awareness generation, use of mask and social distancing was not being practised. Robust behaviour change communication efforts with frequent reinforcement about the preventive measures can avert large morbidity & mortality from COVID-19 till vaccine becomes available and accessible to masses at large. KEYWORDS COVID-19, Masks, Social Distancing