The need for a holistic approach toward pandemic control: lessons from a cross-sectional study on COVID-19 in Meghalaya, India.
J Public Health Policy
; 2022 Nov 14.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2119343
ABSTRACT
We conducted a community-based cross-sectional survey of 416 participants from Meghalaya, India to assess knowledge, perceptions, and practices toward recommended COVID-19 preventive measures, and to explore health-seeking behavior and stigma during early phase of the pandemic. Most participants had knowledge of the signs and symptoms of COVID-19 (94%) and its spread (96%), and reported positive behavior change such as handwashing ≥ 6 times/day (41% pre-COVID-19 vs. 81% during COVID-19, P < 0.001), sneezing or coughing into sleeves (65% pre-COVID-19 vs. 89% during COVID-19, P < 0.001) and staying home if having flu-like symptoms (44% pre-COVID-19 vs. 94% during COVID-19, P < 0.001). We found delayed healthcare seeking for non-COVID-19 illnesses (16%). Fear of losing life was reported by 26% participants, as was discrimination toward migrant returnees, with 35% blaming returnees for the spread of COVID-19. We highlight the need for a holistic approach toward pandemic control, including social and mental health interventions, in public health strategies.
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Type of study:
Observational study
/
Randomized controlled trials
Language:
English
Year:
2022
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
S41271-022-00380-8
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