Knowledge, intention, and practice of wearing face mask by common people to ensure protection against COVID-19 during pandemic

Background: Since the outbreak of global pandemic, wearing face mask not only protects the individual but also limits the spread of corona virus infection in the community. However, certain sociocultural and personal factors have created hinderance in wearing face mask by general people against COVID-19 virus. Aims and Objectives: The aim and objective of this study is to assess the knowledge, intension, and practice of wearing face mask among common people. Materials and Methods: It was a cross-sectional study conducted among general people in a part of Western Odisha after ethical approval. A total of 1050 adults above 18 years participated in this study. The data were collected from different locality of the town using a pretested self-administered questionnaire by all authors and research assistants of this project. The period of study was from July 2021 to December 2021. The results were tabulated, processed, and analyzed using SPSS-20. Results: Regarding knowledge score, we observed that 57% had average, 18% had poor, and 25% had good knowledge. Furthermore, we found 42% participants had positive intention and 58% had negative intention. Again we assessed that 35% of participants were practicing face mask appropriately and 65% practicing inappropriately. Conclusion: In this study, the score of knowledge, intention, and also the practice of wearing face mask against COVID-19 was lower than the average as compared to previous researches. Hence, health authorities should promote the people to wear mask and encourage awareness programs for the benefit of the society.

Comparison of physical fitness in male and female medical students

Background: Students entering medical college find it difficult to cope with the burden of studies and go into depression. They cannot maintain their study habits as before due to extreme tiredness and fatigue following their regular classes. Aim and Objectives: The present study aims to evaluate the physical fitness status of male and female medical students. Materials and Methods: A total of 70 students, 35 male and 35 female, were selected randomly from the first two phases of this college. Their age, height, weight, and BMI were recorded. Their resting pulse rate was recorded after 15 min of resting. Then, each was made to undergo the Modified Harvard Step Test for 5 min or till exertion. Then, their immediate post-exercise pulse rate was recorded. VO2max was calculated and compared to find the physically fit group. Results: We found from the study that female students were similar to males in age, weight, and resting pulse rate. The height and maximum pulse rate post-exercise are more in males and BMI more in females and VO2max was found more in males. Conclusion: The male students are more physically fit than females and can cope with the different strenuous situations better than females. Females need to do regular exercise to increase their fitness.