Abstract
The objective of this study was to investigate if Southern Texas communities were prepared in their awareness and knowledge of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in timed snapshots as the pandemic unfolded. Two assessment surveys were implemented utilizing the Coronavirus Awareness and Preparedness Scale (CAPS) in March and April 2020, respectively. A convenience sample of university faculty in Southern Texas was used. Responses to survey questions changed significantly in the one-month timeframe. Respondents' perception of the COVID-19 threat increased dramatically from March to April, while their perceived preparedness facing the COVID-19 also increased tremendously. The recognized benefits of mask-wearing were limited in both March and April. Males and older people aged 55 and above had significantly lower awareness of the COVID-19 in March (p< 0.05) and may need more attention at the early phases of a pandemic. The increased availability of COVID-19 information through public health agencies led to the increased awareness of COVID-19. When facing a pandemic, both healthcare education and health care policy approaches are essential in addressing the containment and the eradication of COVID-19.
Highlights
By March 2020, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by a novel coronavirus, the SARS-CoV-2, resulted in over 200 million infections and 4 million deaths (World Health Organization [WHO], 2021)
For the question of “Based on what you have seen, read, or heard, how confident are you that healthcare professionals in your country are prepared and can effectively deal with the coronavirus,” an item of “Perceived Preparedness,” 6.7% of the responses were “very unconfident” and 17.3% were “confident” in the March survey, while the percentages increased to 14.6% and 28% respectively in the April survey
For the question of “Do you agree or disagree with the following: “The media has exaggerated the extent of the coronavirus outbreak?”, a sample item of the subscale “Perceived Information Accuracy,” 17% responses were “Strongly Agree,” and 25% were “Agree” in the March survey, while the percentages dropped to 6.7% and 17.3%, respectively, in the April survey
Summary
By March 2020, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by a novel coronavirus, the SARS-CoV-2, resulted in over 200 million infections and 4 million deaths (World Health Organization [WHO], 2021). On January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the COVID-19 a Public Health Emergency. In late April 2020, there were 22,530,000 confirmed cases and 153,631 deaths from COVID-19 in 177 countries across the world (The New York Times, 2020, April 18a). In the United States during that same time, there were 717,825 confirmed cases and 34,022 deaths from COVID-19 (The New York Times, 2020, April 18b). Harvard University researchers have predicted, based on estimates of seasonality, immunity, and cross-immunity, that recurrent outbreaks of COVID-19 would occur and that “intermittent distancing may be required into 2022 unless critical care capacity is increased substantially, or a treatment or vaccine becomes available” (Stieb, 2020, April 14)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
