ABSTRACT
Background: The age group of 5–17 years belongs to the vulnerable segment of the population for COVID?19 infection in India. Seroprevalence in this population can therefore allow inferences to be made about the extent of infection. Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess the seroprevalence and to determine the factors associated with COVID?19 antibody among children aged 5–17 years in an urban and rural area of Kochi, Kerala. Methods: A community?based cross?sectional study was undertaken in the urban and rural field practice areas of the community medicine department in a medical college, Kochi. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect information about sociodemographic data, history related to COVID?19, and the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 antibody test result. Blood samples were collected and tested for the presence of COVID?19 antibodies using the Wantai test kit after attaining informed assent from the parent/guardian. Results: The seroprevalence of the COVID?19 antibody was 48.3% among participants. The seroprevalence of COVID?19 antibody was higher among children of mothers with skilled/unskilled occupation, residents of rural area, above poverty line category, those with a history of COVID?19, and those who had a history of contact with COVID?19?positive patients. Conclusion: Half of the study population were COVID antibody positive, and the rest were at risk of infection. Therefore, adherence to COVID?19 guidelines is essential to control further spread of infection among children.
ABSTRACT
Background: Mosquito?borne diseases (MBDs) such as Malaria, Dengue, Chikungunya, lymphatic filariasis, and Japanese Encephalitis are important public health problems in India. Ernakulam in Kerala being a hub of construction activities has a large influx of migrants from Odisha, West Bengal, Bihar, Assam, U. P., Jharkhand, T. N., and Karnataka. Hence, the objective of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice related to MBDs and the associated factors among the migrant laborers from a migrant settlement in Ponekkara, Ernakulam Kerala. Materials and Methods: A cross?sectional study was done among 179 migrant laborers from a migrant settlement in Ponekkara, Kerala, from September 2021 to November 2021 using a pretested semi?structured questionnaire to collect information regarding socio?demographic details and their knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding mosquito borne diseases. After taking verbal consent, the questionnaire was administered by the investigator. Descriptive and univariate analysis was done using SPSS Version 20. Results: It was found that 58.4% of the migrant laborers had poor knowledge, 55.9% had poor attitude, and 61.5% of them had poor practice regarding MBDs. On univariate analysis, a statistically significant association was observed between attitude score and the level of education. Conclusion: The findings showed that migrant laborers had an overall poor knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding MBDs. Consequently, there is a need to plan an awareness program among the migrant settlements regarding MBDs.