Medical Journal of Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth (Jan 2022)
Exploring community's perceptions and behavior toward people presumptive or treated for COVID-19: An online cross-sectional survey in Tamil Nadu, India
Abstract
Background: The unprecedented morbidity and mortality associated with COVID-19 pandemic and its unique epidemiological features have contributed to stigmatizing and discriminating attitudes among people. Success of prevention efforts depends on identifying and acting upon population perceptions toward the disease and those with the disease. Hence, this study was planned to assess perceptions and behavior of people toward those presumptive or treated for COVID-19 and to identify the influence of sociodemographic characteristics and basic knowledge about COVID-19 on population perceptions and behavior. Materials and Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional, Google Forms-based online survey was conducted among eligible population of Tamil Nadu, India, during January 2021. A pretested, semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect basic sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge on COVID-19, attitude, and behavior toward people presumptive or treated for COVID-19 on a Likert scale. Descriptive statistics and Pearson's correlation coefficient test were employed for statistical analysis. P ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Among 300 respondents, 59.3% had adequate knowledge on COVID-19. Twenty-nine percent of respondents expressed favorable attitude and 31.7% reported favorable behavior toward those presumptive or treated for COVID-19. The perceived attitude or reported behavior did not vary significantly across sociodemographic characteristics. An approximate one-third of respondents with adequate knowledge expressed favorable attitude and favorable behavior (P < 0.001); 54% of respondents with favorable attitude reported favorable behavior (P < 0.001). A weak but significant positive linear correlation was identified between attitude and behavior scores (r = 0.386; P < 0.01). Conclusion: Equipping people with appropriate knowledge and resources could promote positive population attitudes and behaviors toward those symptomatic or treated for COVID-19 and hence crucial in the control efforts against the pandemic.
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