An Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Towards the Novel Coronavirus Outbreak in India

CORONA VIRUS / COVID-19 pandemic is a global health crisis that requires unexplained measures to prevent the intense spread of COVID-19 pandemic. Public attention to control measures is affected by their knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) towards the disease, therefore the study was conducted to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) among Indian’s at the time of COVID-19 pandemic.

A cross-sectional descriptive, online-based survey, conducted among the Indian population about 1155 participants received the questionnaire and asked them to answer, a series of questions regarding the KAP of the population, about COVID-19. Participant’s demographic characteristics and source of information regarding COVID-19 were observed and recorded.

Out of the total participants (n=1155) 64% were male and 89% were 18-28 years. Almost all the participants (92.4%) had right information about the knowledge on transmission courses of the COVID-19. About 84.8% of participants had safe practice using hand sanitizer, wearing mask, washing their hands, covered a cough and sneeze with a tissue. Although no significant relationship was found between different age-categories, designation in terms of KAP, the participants who were aged 40-49 years had higher knowledge. In addition, gender had a significant different on KAP scores (P<0.05) While only the Doctorates had higher knowledge towards COVID- 19 with significant difference (P<0.05).

The present study revealed that the participants had Good Knowledge and Good practice but, majority of them were lagging in attitude towards COVID-19. Although the results were positive on knowledge and practice. It suggested that individuals should improve their positive approach to the Health crises of COVID- 19, so that India can win the fight against the disease.

(1) The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has created a global health crisis that has had a deep impact on the way we perceive our world and our everyday lives. (2) Not only the rate of contagion and patterns of transmission threatens our sense of agency, but the safety measures put in place to contain the spread of the virus also require social distancing by refraining from doing what is inherently human, which is to find solace in the company of others. (3) In order to achieve the management of the outbreak of COVID- 19 in India, there is an increasing concern regarding the knowledge, attitude, and practice of people and the perception of COVID-19 at this crucial phase. (4) In this research, during the rapid rise period of the COVID-19 outbreak, we investigated the KAP towards COVID-19 an online survey of general population in India.