Geographical Distribution of COVID-19 Cases and Household Handwashing Practice in Bangladesh: Situation Analysis from National Representative Data

Abstract

Background: The newly identified Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has currently expanded and shifted from an epidemic to global pandemic. To date there is no proven vaccine for this contagion, prevention measures are the only option for the world to stay safe. According to the World Health Organization, frequent handwashing with soap for 20 seconds is the most effective prevention measures to reduce the incidence of this global pandemic. Method: Our present study was based on the national presentative publicly available two datasets. One is the latest Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS 2019) to explore hand washing situation in Bangladesh, another one is the confirmed cases of COVID-19 throughout Bangladesh from Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR), Bangladesh as of June 20, 2020. Both data were cross-sectional in nature. Findings: Prevalence of household handwashing was found 56.3%, and the prevalence was significantly varied across the socio-economic status of the households (HH). We observed a higher number of COVID-19 cases (as of June 20, 2020) where there is a relatively lower prevalence of handwashing. Northern part of Bangladesh had the highest handwashing practice whereas it had less effected by COVID-19 cases. However, central Bangladesh had the hardest hit by COVID-19 cases, and it had around 50% handwashing practice coverage. Poorer HHs, low education of the HH heads, HH with no improved water source facility had a strong correlation with not practicing HH handwashing. Interpretation: Around half of Bangladesh does not practice HH level handwashing. Areas where higher the HH handwashing practice, lower the COVID-19 cases were observed.Funding Statement: Authors did not receive any funding for this study.Declaration of Interests: The authors have no conflict of interest to declare.