Knowledge and practice regarding Covid-19 prevention: a cross sectional study among the school going students (6-9 grade) in Bangladesh

Abstract

Background Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a global pandemic which is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Sufficient and appropriate knowledge towards COVID-19 is significant in prevention and control of the pandemic. The level of knowledge varies from individual to individual and also depends on the geographical distribution of the people. There is significant association between the poor knowledge and practices of pandemic control strategies in low middle income countries. Thus, knowledge influences the control and prevention of COVID-19 pandemic. Methods This survey was conducted in 9 schools of Cox’s bazar and Pekua, Bangladesh. There were a total of 1973 participants. The study includes students aged >=10 years of age resing in Cox’s bazar and Pekua. Convenient sampling approach was used to recruit the participants. It is a cross sectional study. Descriptive analysis, frequency and percentage and primary dataset were used for data analysis. The ethical clearance was obtained from the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of BRAC JPGSPH, BRAC University. Results This survey was conducted in 9 schools of Cox’s bazar and Pekua, Bangladesh. There were a total of 1973 participants. Most of the participants were aware of the mode of transmissions and preventive methods towards COVID-19 pandemic. Majority of the participants were female (59%, n=1173) and completed high school (46%). As for the mode of transmission more than 50% of the participants living in Cox’s bazar and Pekua knew that COVID-19 transmission happens when a person come in contact with the breath of an infected person, when an infected person talks in front and close to a non-infected person, through droplets from coughing and sneezing, and through touching eyes, mouth and ear with unclean hands. As for the prevention methods towards COVID-19, majority of the participants from Cox’s bazar and Pekua were aware that wearing mask prevents the COVID-19, washing hand, and covering mouth when sneezing, maintaining at least 3 ft distance from each other avoiding touching nose, ears and eyes, staying in home isolation when have even mild symptoms, and vaccination.

Conclusion Majority of the participants have adequate knowledge on mode of transmission, however, less than 50% from both Cox’s bazar and Pekua have reported that avoidance of crowded places is not required for the prevention of infection. As for the mode of transmission, the majority of the participants from both Cox’s bazar and Pekua were not aware that the infection can be transmitted through air. Thus, there is further need for health education to enhance the knowledge of prevention towards COVID-19.