Knowledge, Awareness, And Practices (KAP) Among Health Science Students And Primary Health Care Physicians Regarding Updated Guidelines Towards Covid-19 Pandemic Infection In Andhra Pradesh: A Cross Sectional Study

ABSTRACT

Background: In 2019, a novel virus belonging to the coronavirus (CoV) family, SARS-CoV-2, emerged in Wuhan,China’s Hubei province. This was first reported to the WHO Country Office in China at the end of that year and isnow known as COVID -19.Although this is a new strain, related coronaviruses can cause illnesses ranging fromthe common cold to more severe diseases such as SARS and MERS as per the literature.The clinical presentationis generally that of a respiratory infection with a symptom severity ranging from a mild common cold-like illness,to a severe viral pneumonia leading to acute respiratory distress syndrome that is potentially fatal.Aim and Objective of the study Unprecedented measures have been espoused to control the rapid spread of theenduring COVID-19 epidemic in Andhra Pradesh. Health science students and primary health care physician’sadherence to control measures is prejudiced by their knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) towards COVID19.The battle against COVID-19 is continuing in India. To guarantee the final success, public adherence to thesecontrol measures are vital, which is mostly pretentious by their knowledge, Awareness, and practices (KAP)towards COVID-19 in accordance with KAP theory.Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study is designed to include health sciences students and primary healthcare physicians in Andhra Pradesh state. An interview questionnaire has been designed to assessKnowledge,Awareness and Practices of health sciences students and primary health care physicians, regardingCOVID -19.Results and Discussion: All the registered study participants after giving their consent,completed the questionnaireperfectly. Regarding the Sociodemographic characteristics, out of 243,Male 79 (32.5), Female 164 (67.5) in Gender.Majority of the study participants 128(52.7%) were from Allied Health Science background, 95 (39.1% ) medicinebackground 10(4.1%) and others 10(4.1%). Knowledge variables,Type of Locality and Educational qualificationsvariables, *Awareness variable and *Practices variables i.e.,Occupation variable unvarying with demographicsusing Multiple linear regression endured significant.Educational qualifications variables and Monthly incomewise most of the study participants are students 208.