A Cross-sectional Study on Knowledge, Practices and Economic Conditions Associated with COVID-19among the Rural Population in Pabna District of Bangladesh

Abstract

The current pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-cov-2) has presented unprecedented challenges to the healthcare systems in almost every country around the world, especially in Bangladesh due to lack of proper education and other socio-demographic factors. The best way to prevent the wrath of this virus is to understand the sociodemographic factors which are responsible for the poor knowledge, practice and economic condition due to COVID-19 pandemic in rural area. Therefore, a cross-sectional study was conducted in rural areas of Pabna district to observe and understand the knowledge and practice regarding COVID-19. Since worldwide economics has collapsed due to COVID-19, its impact was also evaluated to observe the business changes of rural citizens. Data was collected from 1000 participants with their consent. Among them, 43.8% respondents kept good knowledge regarding COVID-19. Despite good knowledge, practices were significantly lower among married, uneducated, day-laborer, since most of them struggle daily for hand-to-mouth. The mean scores of KP were 6.04±2.93 (out of 11) and 1.91±1.469 (out of 8) respectively. This result suggested that practices were poor though people had good knowledge on COVID-19. KP were significantly diverged across age, gender, education levels, religious status, residences, and marital status. Data analysis from this survey revealed that farmers and businessmen of Pabna district were the worst sufferer in this pandemic. Government and policy makers should consider these knowledge levels, practices and business changes to implement productive interventions for preventing the worst condition of COVID19.