MRIMS Journal of Health Sciences

ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Year
: 2021  |  Volume : 9  |  Issue : 2  |  Page : 61--66

Knowledge, attitude, and practices toward COVID-19 of people staying in night shelters during lockdown in Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh


Jeevanapriya Pala, Goru Krishna Babu, K Babji 
 Department of Community Medicine, Rangaraya Medical College, Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, India

Correspondence Address:
Dr. Jeevanapriya Pala
Flat No: 201, V. V. R. Towers, D. No. 7-9-36/1, Ramaraopeta, Kakinada - 533 004, Andhra Pradesh
India

Background: Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) has emerged as a serious public health problem worldwide. Appropriate knowledge, attitude, and practices like wearing a mask always and in a proper manner, following social distancing and handwashing frequently are some measures required to protect oneself from COVID-19. Government of India and State Governments have created the lot of awareness. Objectives: To assess and determine the factors responsible for knowledge, attitude, and practices of people staying in night shelters toward COVID-19 in Kakinada. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 131 members staying in night shelters. The present study was carried out using the semi-structured questionnaire. Study participants were contacted and interviewed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices. Results: Majority were males (89.3%); 40.4% were married; 63.4% were from rural areas; 70.9% were migrant laborer; 55.7% were Hindu; 41.2% belonged to backward class; 37.4% were educated up to primary class; and 67.2% had income <400 INR per day. Mean knowledge, attitude, and practice scores were 7.4 ± 2.78, 6.36 ± 2.59, and 4.36 ± 1.43, respectively. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that age group >50 years (vs. <50 years), location urban (vs. rural), marital status married (vs. separate, others), education primary (vs. illiterate, secondary, inter) were significantly associated with high knowledge score (P < 0.05). Age group <50 years, gender female (vs. males), and education illiterate (vs. primary and secondary) were significantly associated with positive attitude toward COVID-19 (P < 0.05). There was no statistically significant correlation between practice and the sociodemographic variable. Conclusion: The overall knowledge, attitude among night shelters in Kakinada was just above average but with poor practices.


How to cite this article:
Pala J, Babu GK, Babji K. Knowledge, attitude, and practices toward COVID-19 of people staying in night shelters during lockdown in Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh.MRIMS J Health Sci 2021;9:61-66


How to cite this URL:
Pala J, Babu GK, Babji K. Knowledge, attitude, and practices toward COVID-19 of people staying in night shelters during lockdown in Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh. MRIMS J Health Sci [serial online] 2021 [cited 2023 Oct 4 ];9:61-66
Available from: http://www.mrimsjournal.com/article.asp?issn=2321-7006;year=2021;volume=9;issue=2;spage=61;epage=66;aulast=Pala;type=0