Volume 25, Issue 117, November 2021

Knowledge, risk perception and precautionary actions taken by residents regarding COVID -19: An online cross sectional survey

Raman Deep^1♦, Vedamurthy R²

¹Professor, Faculty of Nursing, SGT University, Gurugram, Haryana, India
²Associate Professor, Faculty of Nursing, SGT University, Gurugram, Haryana, India

^♦Corresponding author
Professor, Faculty of Nursing, SGT University, Gurugram, Haryana, India;

ABSTRACT

Introduction: COVID-19 is probably the most recent example of an unavoidable illness the world is facing. The basic knowledge regarding the disease affects the perception of risk of acquiring the illness and using precautionary practices to prevent it. Objective: Study was done with an aim to assess the basic knowledge, risk perception and preventive precautions used by the residents regarding COVID-19. Method: An online cross sectional survey was done on 328 residents selected via convenience sampling. Tools used were questionnaire to assess knowledge, Risk perception Scale and questionnaire to assess preventive actions. Tools for data collection were sent to the participants using WhatsApp or email. Result: Regarding knowledge, 60.4% (198) of the residents had moderate knowledge; 36.6% participants had adequate knowledge and 3% were having poor knowledge. Regarding Risk perception, 15.5% participants perceived that they are at no risk of having COVID 19 and 32.0% perceived high risk of having COVID 19 as compared to HIV/AIDS for which 7.9% participants perceived no risk of acquiring HIV/AIDS and 68.6% participant reported high risk of acquiring HIV/AIDS. Majority of residents took measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Conclusion: Having moderate to adequate knowledge led the participant to follow necessary precautionary actions and thus prevent getting infected with COVID -19. So, we can say that equilibrium is maintained and there is no dread of COVID -19. This level of knowledge also led the residents to practice most of the preventive actions in their day to day life to prevent COVID -19 infections.

Keywords: Knowledge; Risk Perception; Precautionary Actions, Residents, COVID-19

Medical Science, 2021, 25(117), 3064-3071

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