A study to assess the prevalence of post covid symptoms among covid affected people in a selected rural community, Kottayam Kerala

The present study was conducted to assess the prevalence of post covid symptoms among covid affected people in a selected rural community, Kottayam, Kerala. Although many patients are recovering from this illness, the concern regarding Post COVID-19 complications still prevails1. The objective of the study was to assess the prevalence of post covid symptoms among the selected population. Non probability convenient sampling technique was used to select samples from the covid affected people after 3 months of initial attack. Method of study was descriptive survey method. The study sample consists of 30 patients above 18 years who belongs to the 4th ward of Kidangoor panchayath, Kottayam. The tool for data collection was semi structured questionnaire. The content validity of the tool was evaluated by subject experts and the pilot study was conducted to assess the feasibility of the study. The final data obtained were tabulated and analyzed by descriptive statistics. The instrument is a semi structured questionnaire which consist of two sections for collecting demographic data of post covid patients including age, sex, educational status, type of family, family history of co-morbidities, history of smoking and data regarding prevalence of post covid complications. The final study revealed that in demographic data among 30 samples 15(50%) were between the age group of 45-60 years, 7(23.33%) were above 60 years, 5(16.66%) were between 35-45 years and 3(10%) were between 19-35 years. In the sample 22 (73.33%) are females and 8(26.66%) are males. The 16(53.33%) are having high school education, 7(23.33%) are graduates, 7(23.33%) are having only primary education. Among 30 samples 25(83.33%) are from nuclear family and 5(16.66%) belongs to joint family. Regarding prevalence of post covid symptoms among covid patients 14(46.66%) were affected with post covid symptoms within 9 months of covid 19 infection. In relation with time period, majority of population 25(83.33%) were affected only once with covid 19.The source of covid 19 is not known to 17(56.66%) of the sample. About 23(76.66%) sample are isolated at home during the covid 19 infection period. Among 30 samples of post covid patients 14(46.66%) were have the major symptom of cough and cold. The entire sample 30(100%) were symptomatic during covid 19 infection. Among 30 samples 14(46.66%) were taken two doses of covid vaccine. Based on the study 11(36.66%) were affected with post covid symptoms after first dose of vaccination. After third dose of vaccination the covid rate was only 1 (3.33%). Based on the study, 9(30%) of post covid patients have amnesia and 8(26.66%) have headache as neurological complications. Around half of the sample 13(43.33%) has breathing difficulty as a respiratory complication after covid 19 infection. Among 30 samples 11(36.66%) were not having any of the musculoskeletal complication and 8(26.66%) were having joint pain. Majority of patients 27(90%) were not hospitalized for managing the post covid symptoms. The duration of post covid symptoms were less than 1 month among 12(40%) of the samples. Among 30 samples 20(66.66%) were taken preventive measures against post covid complications.Based on the study 13(43.33%) has palpitation and 9(30%) were having hypertension as cardiovascular complication. Among 30 samples 10(33.33%) have no interference in daily activities, 15(50%) have interference during heavy work, 3(10%) have interference during late night and 2(6.66%) have always interference in daily activities.Majority of patients 25(83.33%) were not having any co-morbidities during covid 19 infection.The co-morbidities were not aggravated in majority of samples 25(83.33%) after covid 19 infection.