Indian Adults and Covid-19 Scenario

Abstract

In order to understand the knowledge and practices used by the selected respondents in adopting a new normal to resist the COVID-19 pandemic age, the current study, titled Knowledge and Practices towards COVID-19 of the People of Ahmedabad City of Gujarat State, was conducted. 200 respondents from Ahmedabad City, aged 21 to 58, were chosen using a convenient sampling method. An online questionnaire using Google Forms was designed and executed using different social platforms such as email, WhatsApp, and text messages. In the study, descriptive statistics such as mean and standard deviation for continuous variables and frequency and percentages for discrete variables were used. Results of this study showed that social media was the most commonly accessed source of information on COVID-19 and that a large majority of respondents had greater access to information about it. Further, the majority of the respondents had a higher level of knowledge and were well-informed on the signs and symptoms, the spread of the disease, and preventive measures, but they were only partially or incorrectly informed about the recommended hand hygiene practices and risk factors that could increase the virus’s ability to spread. Nevertheless, more than half (54%) of the responders had inadequate COVID-19 practices. With regard to the variables of education and occupation, there were significant disparities in the respondents’ practices. The results of this study could serve as a baseline for NGOs, government officials, and other stakeholders as they reform and rebuild risk communication programs for such highly contagious diseases.