ABSTRACT
Background: In times of an epidemic such as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the public's knowledge and attitude toward the disease affects the ability to abide to different preventive measures. Aims and Objectives: (1) to assess the knowledge and awareness of the domestic helpers in a tribal population, (2) whether the domestic helpers practice appropriate preventative measures that are recommended by WHO. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was designed and carried out using questionnaire among rural domestic workers in Mizoram, above 14 years of age belonging to both Mizo and Non-Mizo ethnicity. Data were collected from 105 participants and analyzed through t-test, one-way analysis of variance and Pearson correlation analysis. Results: Majority of the respondents had higher secondary level of education (78.1%) and 95.2% could identify COVID-19 as a communicable disease. Almost all the participants (97.1%) were afraid of infection and the majority (92.4%) had fear of dying with the disease. Three-fourth of the participants were working during the pandemic of which 44.8% had volunteered. Media (68.6%) was the most common source of information about the disease. The education level was significantly associated with knowledge and attitude scores whereas there were no significant differences with respect to the practice (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Our findings indicate an overall good KAP of the rural domestic workers. Since these workers move from house to house and also take care of the vulnerable, and that they themselves and the families, they work for may be at an increased risk of infection with COVID-19, these findings are important from a health campaign perspective.
ABSTRACT
Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. It primarily presents with respiratory symptoms and can result in damage to the digestive, nervous, and cardiovascular systems. The clinical profile of COVID-19 positive patients and factors associated with mortality has not been studied in patients admitted in wards in Mizoram. Aims and Objectives: The aim of the study was to determine the clinical profiles and outcome of the COVID-19 positive patients admitted in wards of Zoram Medical College, Mizoram. Materials and Methods: A descriptive record based cross-sectional study was conducted in Zoram Medical College, Mizoram among 742 COVID-19 positive patients admitted between March 27, 2020, and April 19, 2021. Individuals with confirmed COVID-19 positive by reverse transcriptionpolymerase chain reaction test from nasopharyngeal swabs were included in the study. Patient's information was collected from the hospital medical record consisting of demographic details, exposure history, comorbidities, etc. Data were analyzed using SPSS 22 version. P<0.05 was taken as statistically significant. Results: The mean age was 40 years and 59.4% were males. Most of the patients (31.40%) had a history of travel and 52.4% were symptomatic. The common symptoms reported were fever (63.75%), cough (49.10%), sore throat (23.39%), and shortness of breath (18.77%). Among those with comorbidities nearly 66.9% had diabetes mellitus, hypertension (48.6%), chronic heart disease (14.2%), and chronic lung disease in (8.1%). The mortality was only 1.8%. In univariate logistic regression analysis, mortality was associated with increased age >60 years (46.15%) [odds ratio [OR]: 21.56;P=0.005], patients having fever (76.92%) [OR: 6.8;P=0.004], and comorbidities (76.92%) [OR: 21.56;P=0.005] as risk factors. Conclusions: Mortality in COVID 19 positive patients admitted in Zoram Medical College, Mizoram was associated with increased age, comorbidities, and patients who were symptomatics. [ FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Asian Journal of Medical Sciences is the property of Manipal Colleges of Medical Sciences and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full . (Copyright applies to all s.)