RESUMEN
Background: Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) had been introduced in National Immunization Schedule recently in West Bengal in view to prevent pneumococcal diseases mainly pneumonia and meningitis, which was a leading cause mortality and morbidity particularly in under 5 age group. Like all other health program, success of this initiative would be dependent on awareness level of beneficiaries. Aim and Objective: The present study aimed at estimating parenteral awareness level related to pneumococcal diseases and PCV. Materials and Methods: The observational and analytic study was conducted among parents of 404 children (who were eligible for PCV-1) attended in Immunization Clinic, Medical College, Kolkata. Sociodemographic parameters of families of study participants were elicited. Parenteral knowledge regarding pneumococcal diseases and PCV was assessed. Results: About 58.4% of parents neither had any awareness regarding pneumococcal diseases, nor had any idea related to PCV. Only 30.7% of parents had any knowledge regarding pneumococcal diseases and 31.7% had any awareness related to PCV. Maternal education, social class, and residence were found to significant predictor of parenteral knowledge both in unadjusted model as well as when adjusted with sociodemographic variables. Conclusion: As parenteral knowledge level in the present study was not satisfactory, more stress to be given in conducting awareness generation campaign for newly introduced PCV vaccine throughout the state in general, and in vulnerable urban areas particularly, where awareness among beneficiaries was significantly poorer.
RESUMEN
Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by coronavirus family (SARS-CoV-2). There is a rising trend of the pandemic ever since its inception. Although the healthcare workers are already oriented and play a central role in the response to COVID-19, there is very limited information on the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of patients attending health facilities toward SARS-CoV-2. Aim and Objectives: Assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice on prevention of Novel Coronavirus among patients attending general out-patient department (GOPD) in a Medical College of Eastern India. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in GOPD of Kolkata for 3 months in 119 adults. A pre-designed and pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect data by interview method. Results: The mean age of study participants was 41.05 ± 15.09 (S.D.) with 49.6% belonging to the age group of 20–40 years. Knowledge regarding prevention of transmission was noted among 70.5% of study participants. About 96.6% followed the good practice of wearing mask while going outside and 70.6% covered both nose and mouth. The various socio-demographic variables were associated with the knowledge and practice of COVID-19 transmission. It was noted that education, occupation, and socio-economic status showed statistically significant association with knowledge and correct practice of using mask during the COVID-19 pandemic (P < 0.05). Conclusion: There is a moderately fair level of knowledge concerning SARS-CoV-2 among the general population and a significant association with positive attitudes and practices toward preventive health measures to combat COVID-19.