A crosssectional descriptive study of knowledge attitude and Practice of Face mask and hand hygiene among covid positive patient

Author : Dr Naina Wakode, Dr Santosh Wakode, Ankur Wakode

Abstract : Most of the published reports of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) surveys regarding the COVID-19 pandemic are on healthy population or selective groups. We hypothesised that knowledge gap regarding COVID-appropriate behaviour was responsible for the spread of COVID-19 infection. The participants of our study were unique in the sense that they were already afflicted with COVID-19 infection before getting enrolled in the study. Conducted an online questionnaire-based survey among the positive patients admitted at the district COVID Care Centre, to study the KAP of COVID- appropriate behaviour of individuals already afflicted with COVID-19. 200 COVID-19 positive patients were approached, out of which 175 consented and participated in the survey, a response rate of >85.0%. The average knowledge score was 3.21±1.85 (out of 5) and the average attitude score. was 9.51±4.94 (out of 35). The average practice score was 12.4 (out of 72). Knowledge, attitude as well as practice scores were higher for the participants who were young (18 to 37 years of age), had higher education (university) and those with higher monthly income (> ₹ 10,000 per month). No significant difference on gender, and on the place of residence (rural vs. urban). Positive correlation was noted using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient for the practice of COVID-appropriate behaviour with higher knowledge and attitude scores. Overall, the KAP scores of our study participants were poor. Low knowledge scores were associated with still lower attitude scores for COVID-appropriate behaviour. The strong positive correlation was noted between KAP and KAP survey suggest the need to improve dissemination of knowledge and suitable modification of messaging strategies to improve attitude as well as practice of COVID appropriate behaviour among the population.

Keywords : COVID-19, Pandemic, Behaviour, Face mask, Hand hygiene.

Conference Name : International Conference on Medicine and Public Health Policy (ICMPHP-26)

Conference Place : Chandigarh, India

Conference Date : 28th Mar 2026