PUBLIC AWARENESS AND PERSONAL HYGIENIC PRACTICES OF RURAL PEOPLE IN THE COVID-19 SITUATION

Abstract

BACKGROUND The study attempted to understand rural Bangladesh's health information, awareness level, and preventive measures in the Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic. METHODS A cross-sectional survey by face-to-face interview was conducted with rural people from 14 June 2020 to 13 August 2020. An ordered logistic regression model was employed for data analysis. A total of 3,007 people (Female = 55.97%; Male = 44.03%) participated in the survey who met the inclusion criteria. RESULTS The demography of respondents revealed that a significant portion of villagers were within the ages 21-30 (26.80%), had primary education (23.88%), unemployed (31.73%), and middle class (56.17%). The most common and influential used media to know about the Coronavirus disease were electronic media and relative/family/friend/neighbors. Change of demography created a spectacular difference in public awareness level and hygiene practice. Female, illiterate, poor, and age above 60 were comparatively less aware of seven essential facts about the disease. There was no mentionable difference in personal hygienic practices due to sex. But particpants who were aged 51-60 years, graduates or postgraduates, unmarried, government or non-government employees and middle class exhibitedthe best hygiene practice over other features. Invariably, the education level of rural people had a positive effect on awareness and preventive measures. CONCLUSIONS Overall, the government and policymakers must identify vulnerable groups whose awareness and hygi enic practices are not at the optimum level. Afterward, the government and related organizations should take necessary measures immediately to protect these groups from COVID-19 threats until the complete immunization.