Irrelevant usage of sanitizer and facemask among urban population during the outbreak of covid-19 infection — a survey

Abstract

Introduction: The spread of COVID-19 has become a major threat to the whole world and has shown a vast spread all over. The important source of the spread of the virus is the droplets from the nose and mouth. The virus causes damage more than the respiratory infection and it spreads all through the lungs in a fast manner. Researchers have informed that not only droplets from the nose and mouth even small particles from the air can cause the infection. The sanitizers and facemask are the most used products during the outbreak to protect us from getting affected by the virus; these have become the major things we believe that protects us from the virus. There are two main types of face masks that are produced N95 and P100. Sanitizers that protect us from getting attacked by the viruses have certain contents like 60% alcohol to be present in the sanitizer. The use of sanitizer and face mask has become a basic habit of people nowadays during the outbreak. But due to lack of knowledge, there is irrelevant usage of masks and sanitizers prevalent among urban society. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire was designed online using Google docs which consisted of 15 questions. The study population included was the urban population of South India. The data were analyzed statistically. Results: From this survey, it is evident that the urban South Indian Population is much aware of the usage of self-protective aids during a pandemic situation. Conclusion: Awareness is the first step to fight against disease. Awareness has to be created for the rural population too. A similar survey has to be done with the rural population in the future.