ABSTRACT
Background: The novel corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) presented as an emergent threat to global health. It was necessary to identify level of public awareness on disease prevention to mitigate the pandemic. Until then, no vaccine or effective drug were available for the control, prevention, and treatment of COVID-19. Preventive measures were the only way out. Objective(s): a) To study knowledge of people regarding COVID-19. b) To study attitude of people towards lockdown. c) To assess practices of people in taking preventive measures for COVID-19. Method(s): A cross sectional study was carried out among general population. Sample size was calculated using the formula 4pq/l2 where, p= proportion of people having knowledge regarding COVID-19 THAT IS 50%. Minimum calculated sample size was 205. Data was collected using pre- tested, structured questionnaire through online portal. Study was approved by Institutional Ethics committee. Result(s): The present study included a total of 249 subjects in which subjects' age varies from 18-65+ years. Maximum number of subjects held a graduate degree 214 (86%). More than 80% study subjects were aware about contagious nature of COVID-19, practice of social distancing, usage of sanitizer and vaccination. 66.7% subjects were using N95 marks and more than 60% were vaccinated. 69% opined that strict lockdown should be enforced. Conclusion(s): Present study had some shortfall in knowledge among subjects regarding some aspects of COVID-19. Therefore, there was an obligation for awareness that can be directed via health education and training programs. Copyright © 2022 Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
COVID 19 Pandemic has devastated the world in 2020 with more than 86 million cases and the 18 lakh deaths worldwide. Initially considered as a respiratory infection, more and more studies point towards coagulopathy as a primary mechanism of organ damage and death caused by this virus. The purpose of this study is to look for raised D-dimer level in COVID-19 patients and assess whether they correlated with severity and outcome of the disease. Study was carried out in 100 patients with COVID-19. The mean D-dimer level on admission was 1.064 mg/L. The study finds significantly higher mean D-dimer levels (p=0.0) and significantly higher number of patients with raised (≥ 0.5 mg/L) D-dimer levels (p=0.00) in Critical and Severe Groups as compared to Moderate and Mild groups of patients. There were 48 patients with normal D-dimer (<0.5 mg/L) levels out of which 3 patients died and 52 patients with raised (≥ 0.5 mg/L) D-dimer levels, out of which 18 patients died (p=0.01).There was significantly higher number of patients requiring supplemental oxygen among patients with raised D-dimer levels (p=0.00) in Moderate group. © 2021, Annals of R.S.C.B. All rights reserved.