TY - JOUR
T1 - Practices, awareness, and perception towards home-based COVID-19 management among the general population in Mangalore city in south India
AU - Joseph, Nitin
AU - Singh, Vijay Pratap
AU - Murthy, Impana Venkatesha
AU - Raman, Vishaan
AU - Banihatti Nagaraj, Meera
AU - Shetty, Rahul Vishwanath
AU - Sai Vemuri, Krishna
AU - Shreedhara, Shruthi
AU - Manja, Maranakatte Shridhar Sumukha
N1 - Funding Information:
The authors of this study thank all the participants who enthusiastically took part in this study.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 Joseph N et al.
PY - 2022
Y1 - 2022
N2 - Background: Most patients with COVID-19 experience mild illness, which can be managed in a home environment. This study was done to assess the perception, awareness, and practices regarding home-based management of COVID-19 among the general population in India. Methods: This cross-sectional study was done in May and June 2021. Data were collected using a Google Form. Results: Mean age of the 294 participants was 36.6 ± 12.1 years. Of these participants, 45 (15.3%) were diagnosed with COVID-19 anytime in the past. Among them, 37 (82.2%) underwent home-based management for COVID-19. Monitoring body temperature and oxygen saturation were performed just once a day by 15.2% and 5.9% of COVID-19 patients respectively. Self-medication was practiced by 11 (29.7%) patients. Disposable face masks were worn by 23 (62.2%) patients beyond eight hours of continuous usage. The disposable type of face mask was not discarded despite becoming wet, and cloth masks were worn by eight (21.6%) patients. Disposable gloves were only worn by 14 (37.8%) caregivers of COVID-19 patients. As many as 10 (27%) patients were tested for COVID-19 after completion of home isolation. Awareness of all mild symptoms and signs of the disease was known to only 19 (6.5%) participants. Normal oxygen saturation in the blood was known to 40 (13.6%) participants. Just six (2%) participants were aware of the correct duration of home isolation in a symptomatic patient with COVID-19. The recommended duration of handwashing with soap and water was known to 102 (34.7%) participants. As many as 17.4% and 32.7% of participants were not confident in using thermometer and pulse oximeter respectively. Conclusion: Practices, awareness, and perception regarding certain essential measures in COVID-19 home management were found lacking among several participants. These need to be addressed by suitable training programs among the general population.
AB - Background: Most patients with COVID-19 experience mild illness, which can be managed in a home environment. This study was done to assess the perception, awareness, and practices regarding home-based management of COVID-19 among the general population in India. Methods: This cross-sectional study was done in May and June 2021. Data were collected using a Google Form. Results: Mean age of the 294 participants was 36.6 ± 12.1 years. Of these participants, 45 (15.3%) were diagnosed with COVID-19 anytime in the past. Among them, 37 (82.2%) underwent home-based management for COVID-19. Monitoring body temperature and oxygen saturation were performed just once a day by 15.2% and 5.9% of COVID-19 patients respectively. Self-medication was practiced by 11 (29.7%) patients. Disposable face masks were worn by 23 (62.2%) patients beyond eight hours of continuous usage. The disposable type of face mask was not discarded despite becoming wet, and cloth masks were worn by eight (21.6%) patients. Disposable gloves were only worn by 14 (37.8%) caregivers of COVID-19 patients. As many as 10 (27%) patients were tested for COVID-19 after completion of home isolation. Awareness of all mild symptoms and signs of the disease was known to only 19 (6.5%) participants. Normal oxygen saturation in the blood was known to 40 (13.6%) participants. Just six (2%) participants were aware of the correct duration of home isolation in a symptomatic patient with COVID-19. The recommended duration of handwashing with soap and water was known to 102 (34.7%) participants. As many as 17.4% and 32.7% of participants were not confident in using thermometer and pulse oximeter respectively. Conclusion: Practices, awareness, and perception regarding certain essential measures in COVID-19 home management were found lacking among several participants. These need to be addressed by suitable training programs among the general population.
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/85129045529
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/85129045529#tab=citedBy
U2 - 10.12688/f1000research.74514.2
DO - 10.12688/f1000research.74514.2
M3 - Article
C2 - 35387276
AN - SCOPUS:85129045529
SN - 2046-1402
VL - 10
SP - 1271
JO - F1000Research
JF - F1000Research
M1 - 1271
ER -