How Good are the Knowledge and Awareness of General Public about Covid-19?

Abstract

This study was conducted to assess the knowledge about the disease and awareness regarding the myths and facts about Coronavirus disease or Covid-19, an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered (novel) coronavirus (SARS, Cov-2) among general public in India. Total of 324 participants had participated in a monkey survey by a convenience sampling technique. Demographic prole and self-developed structured knowledge and awareness questionnaire based on World Health Organisation (WHO) and Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MOHFW) guidelines were used for data collection. Data was analysed in terms of frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation. Correlation was computed between the knowledge and awareness of general public about Covid-19. Majority of participants had average or good knowledge (95%) with the mean knowledge score of 5.62'plusmn; 1.15, while poor to average awareness about Covid-19 (92.6%) with the mean awareness score of 11.79'plusmn; 2.02. No statistical correlation could be observed between knowledge and awareness (p 'gt;0.05). Signicant number of participants had poor awareness suggestive of high prevalence of myths among the general public, requiring sharing of factual information with the general public. Myths related to the disease need to be dispelled by providing factual information through media and campaign organised by the government health agencies, health care workers and the media.