key: cord-0935002-q2fophg7 authors: Dakhode, Sarika; Chaware, Ajay; Muntode, Pramita; Ingole, Abhishek; Joshi, Abhishek title: Perception about myths and facts regarding COVID-19 pandemic infection among science and technology faculties date: 2021-08-31 journal: J Educ Health Promot DOI: 10.4103/jehp.jehp_870_20 sha: 8cdac626bc972992cc000269b3e88e844c8f4442 doc_id: 935002 cord_uid: q2fophg7 BACKGROUND: COVID-19 was declared as pandemic by the WHO in March 2020. Social distancing and hand hygiene is advised during the pandemic to contain the spread of the virus. Rapid sharing of scientific information in an extraordinary way is the characteristic of the COVID-19 pandemic. There may be gap between information provided and received. Perception and practices in the community regarding handling materials need to be pointed out. the aim of this study was to assess the perception about myths and facts and change in the practices before and during the COVID-19 pandemic among the faculties. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted during May–June 2020 among the faculties of Science and Technology. By multistage sampling technique, five districts from Maharashtra state and then one institution from each district was selected. A questionnaire was shared by Internet to institutional faculties. Descriptive and inferential statistics (Chi-square test) is applied. RESULTS: Out of 276 faculties, 248 had responded. Most of the faculties were aware about basic preventive measures for COVID-19 infection. However, 25% of the faculties were unaware about the safe physical distance. Eating garlic and pepper protect against COVID-19 as per 63 (25.3%) and 59 (23.9%) faculties, respectively, was effective, whereas 56.8% of participants did not believe so. 93 (37.5%) respondents believed that respiratory function ultimately indicates the presence or absence of disease. About 95% of participants adopted new hygienic practices during the pandemic (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: COVID-19 can spread rapidly if the basic preventive measures are ignored by the small proportion of unaware people Hence, awareness needs to be improved. People have adapted to new hygienic practices for handling the material during the pandemic. China in December 2019 [1] and rapidly spread all over the world as pandemic, declared by WHO in March 2020. [2] The disease shows its potential to create complicated scenarios not only at the local level but at the global level, though it is Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome as other virus infection. [3] The main route of transmission is through respiratory droplets but infection can spread by inoculation of the virus on the mucosal surface of eyes, nose, and mouth through contaminated hands. [4, 5] Handling contaminated objects is also promoting infection spreading. [4] The rate of transmission of Covid infection was estimated to be 1.5-3.5 form infected individuals. [6] Mass gathering leads to close contacts and COVID-19 infection spreading, hence social distancing is advised. [3] For the same, the Prime Minister of India announced the phase-wise lockdown since March 22. [7] This affects many dimensions of life from basic and essential to advance and elective such as education, health care, economy, production (GDP), transport, corporate, labor, agriculture, leisure, and many more. Hence, this Global crisis brought together scientists, policymakers, and administrators to fight against it. [8] To control COVID-19 pandemic, Government called attention toward the responsibility of each individual in the community, i.e., adopting health-protective behaviors. [9] As no specific antiviral drug or vaccine is available till date, nonpharmaceutical interventions would be declared as key preventive measures. These included various practices such as physical distancing, hand hygiene, cough etiquette, covering nose and mouth, isolation, and quarantine have established their relevance in preventing the spread. [10] [11] [12] [13] Alcohol-based sanitizer is found effective to kill virus after 20 s rub. [4] Virus can be present live on the surface of various objects or materials for a different period of time. [14, 15] There is a need to assess the perception and practice in the community regarding handling materials which commonly includes edible and nonedible things. More concern arises regarding hygiene when these materials acquired form market. World Health Organization and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare have published many pamphlets, handouts, or posters to raise community awareness regarding the spread of disease and effective preventive measures to distinguish between myths and facts. [16] Most of the time, this information is accessed by health personnel, administrator, scientist, or policymakers, unless it is purposively required by other person. Rapid sharing of scientific information in an extraordinary way is the characteristic of COVID-19 pandemic. Social media is playing an extensive role in providing information of every aspect of the COVID-19 pandemic. Stakeholders are also sharing all the facts and myths regarding the pandemic on the social platform including most of the scientific journals building data for freely available. [6, 8, 17, 18] Study in China showed the stability of SARS-CoV-2 on stainless steel, wood, glass, ceramics, atex gloves, surgical masks, and plastic for 7 days. [19] COVID-19 virus was observed to be viable up to 28 days at 20°C on common surfaces such as stainless steel glass, and both polymer and paper currency notes. [20] Coronavirus can be found viable on plastic and stainless steel up to 72 h. Whereas on cardboard and copper it was detectable up to 24 h and 4 h, respectively. [15, 21, 22] Researches indicated that virus is viable on various surfaces at an inconsistent time period and may be due to the temperature effect. [20] Hence, this suggests that people may acquire the COVID infection through aerosol transmission and after touching contaminated objects. There may be any gap between information provided and received. The level of awareness in the community needs to be pointed out. Anxiety and fear regarding the spread of the corona virus or genuine responsibility toward curtail the spread may be the reason for adopting some preventive practices. Teachers play a vital role in sharing accurate information and science-based facts about COVID-19. This will help diminish students' fears and anxieties about the disease and support their ability to cope with any secondary impacts in their lives. Hence, we made an attempt to conduct the survey among the faculty members of Science and Technology to know the level of perception about Myths and Facts regarding Novel Cov-19 infection and practices adopted for fighting against this pandemic. To study the knowledge among faculties of Science and technology profession about preventive measures to control the spread of the Novel corona virus. To assess the perception about myths and facts regarding COVID-19 pandemic infection among faculties. To find out the change in the practices followed by faculties before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. This cross-sectional survey was conducted among the faculty members of various institutions of Science and Technology of Maharashtra state during the period of May-June 2020. Multistage sampling method was used. Five districts were randomly selected from Maharashtra state and those are Amravati, Nagpur, Nasik, Pune, and Wardha. Then one of the Science and Technology institutions was randomly selected from each district. Permission and lists of faculties were obtained from the respective authority of these institutions. A total of 276 faculties were communicated by Internet and telephone. By keeping view of study objectives, the survey questionnaire was prepared by investigating team members by referring to the guidelines published by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Center for Disease Control, WHO-Advice for Public updates reflecting prevention and control measures of COVID-19 pandemic along with myths and facts. Data collection tool covered the questions for "awareness about spreading of COVID-19 infection," "Myths and facts about COVID-19 pandemic infection prevention and control measures," "Change in particular practices for managing materials brought from outdoor before and after the declaration of COVID-19 pandemic or coins and currency notes received from outdoor." Validity and Reliability-This tool are reliable for comparable settings and alike epidemiological pandemic situations. The study participants were from a particular education class and good socioeconomic status. This survey has high internal validity as the results of this survey are applicable to a similar group. However, survey findings are can't be generalized. The purpose of the survey was discussed and confidentiality of information was ensured among participants. Survey questionnaire was shared to about 276 faculty members these institutes through Internet after informed consent. The descriptive statistic in the form of frequency and percentage was estimated. Z-test has been applied to analyze adopted practices before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results were compared using P value. Out of 276 faculties to whom the survey questionnaire was shared, 248 faculties had responded (response rate = 89.85%). Out of these, 156 (63%) were male and 99 (40%) were female faculty members. Most of the faculties, i.e., 149 (60%) were from the urban area, 131 (52.8%) were from the age group 25-35 years, followed by 77 (31%) participants from 35 to 45 age group. Out of 248 respondents, 138 (55.7%) were residing in the red zone as declared for the COVID-19 pandemic. [ Table 1 ] Out of various modes of spread of coronavirus infection in the community, maximum i.e., 214 (86.29%) responses were noted for "Close contact with infected person" and followed by 197 (79.44%) responses for "through coughing/sneezing." "Mass gathering" and "Contact with contaminate objects" were also acknowledged as a channel for spreading of Coronavirus infection by 187 (75.4%) and 173 (69.76%) faculty members, respectively. Though less, but responses were also noted for transmission of COVID-19 disease through houseflies 29 (11.69%), mosquitoes 25 (9.68%), and domestic animals 20 (8.06%). When asked about the most essential preventive measure that should be adopted by everybody, 166 (66.9%) teachers responded social distancing, while 28 (11.2%) use of mask, 23 (9.23%) hand hygiene and 19 (7.66%) responded cough etiquettes [ Table 2 ]. About 91 (36.6%) faculties were aware regarding safe social distance to be maintained to prevent COVID-19 infection. On the other hand, one foot and two feet social distance is sufficient to prevent coronavirus infection was opined by 42 (16.9%) and 21 (8.5%) faculties. However, more safe distance, i.e., four feet or more than it, was acknowledged by 19 (7.7%) and 76 (30.6%) faculties [ Figure 1 ]. Almost all the faculties were well aware about the materials such as alcohol-based hand rub (sanitizer), Soap and water or liquid hand wash can be used for hand hygiene. Regarding minimal time for alcohol-based hand rub to kill Cov-19 virus, we received responses by, 199 (80.2%), 28 (11.4%) and 7 (2.8%) participants for 20, 30 and >30 s respectively [ Figure 2 ]. When we assessed that, wearing rubber gloves for outdoor activity is safer than frequent hand washing, then we got near about equal positive and negative responses, i.e., 126 (50.8) and 120 (48.4), respectively. It is reflected that about 93 (37.5%) faculty members considered that being able to hold your breath for 10 s or more without coughing or feeling discomfort is a sign of free from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and most of the teachers, i.e., 126 (50.8%) thought that it [ Table 3 ]. In our study, we tried to assess the various practices for managing materials brought from outdoor and is there any difference or change in these practices before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Before and during the pandemic, the practice of keeping materials just purchased from market has been assessed. and 239 (96.37%) participants were kept vegetables, packed or unpacked groceries or stationery as it is. Whereas, during pandemic similar practices were followed by very few participants, ranges from 8 to 33 (3.2-(13.3%) and this difference is statistically significant (P < 0.0001). During this COVID-19 pandemic period, various practices were adopted for cleaning vegetables such as washing with soap and water, warm water, cold-salt water, and hot-salt water by 30 (12.1%), 103 (41.5%), 49 (19.7%), and 99 (39.9%) faculties. While, very few i.e., 2-4 (1%-2%) faculties were following the above practice before pandemic. The difference of all these practices before and during pandemic is statistically significant (P < 0.0001). It is revealed that, during this pandemic significantly high number of faculties (range 210-215; 84.7-86.7%, P < 0.0001) had taken extra care for materials, grocery packets, unpacked groceries, or stationeries brought from the market, such as wash with plain cold water, soap and water, warm water, cold-salt water and hot-salt water and keep in sunlight for few hours. Hardly few 6 (2.4%) faculties were used to follow such practices before pandemic [ Table 4 ]. We also assessed any change in habits of handling money received from others in the form of coins of banknotes. Study results explored the significant difference in way of managing coins and currency notes before and during COIVD-19 pandemic. Almost all the faculty members 223 (90%) had taken precaution one or other way such as keeping money separately or in sunlight for some time [ Table 5 ]. On January 30, 2020, WHO alarmed the spread of Novel Cov-19 infection as public health emergencies of international concern. [23] One of the impacts of lockdown, i.e., social distancing is the decrease in the number of cases. [24] Along with lockdown, individual hygiene recommended by WHO and CDC could slow down the outbreak. Though infection will still continue to grow peak can be flattened. [25, 26] Novel coronavirus is identified as infectious even though the patient is asymptomatic during the incubation period, though respiratory viruses are characteristically contagious in symptomatic cases. [27, 28] Study participants were well aware about the mode of transmission of coronavirus infection in the community, i.e., respiratory aerosols emitted through coughing and sneezing (79.44%). Very few faculties i.e., 8%-11% thought that coronavirus infection may be transmitted by vectors such as houseflies or mosquitoes or domestic animals. This concern may be due to the information on social media about the majority of the earlier cases in China were linked to the seafood market. [28] Most of these faculties (86.29%) had recognized that close contact with the infected person is a high risk for getting infected. Minimum 1 m physical distance is associated with much lower risk of getting infected by the COVID-19 virus. Based on mathematical modeling, protection will be more if the distance is >1 m. [13] For the general public, it is very essential to maintain the physical distance >1 m, as the public may come in close contact with the mild symptomatic or asymptomatic person in the incubation period. Hence, social distancing is the most important preventive measure and it was acknowledged by 166 (66.9%) participants. One-fourth (25.4%) of the participants were found unaware about the safe physical distance. Only 36.6% faculties pointed out minimum (1 meter or 3 feet) social distance to be maintained; though other faculties i.e., 38.3% had chosen the safer side of maintaining the social distance >3 feet. Minimal time required for alcohol-based hand rub to kill Cov-19 virus was correctly recognized by most of the teachers. Study participants were well aware that effective medicine and vaccines are not yet available. Alcohol-based sanitizer or disinfectants are very effective in killing novel coronavirus but consumption of alcohol in any form does not have any protective effect against coronavirus disease. Neither on the breath kills the virus in the air nor stimulates the immune system. [29, 30] Participants had a similar attitude towards the role of alcohol. WHO also suggested to close bars, night clubs, restaurants and other places where people gather to consume alcohol, as these movements will promote increase the risk of transmission of the virus. There is no evidence regarding the protective role of garlic or pepper against COVID-19 disease. [31] More than half (56%) of faculties admitted so. However, one-fourth of the faculties still believed that eating garlic and pepper has some protective role. The difference of opinion has been found in various literature reviewed regarding the effect of temperature on coronavirus infection. As per meteorological studies, [32, 33] there were reduction in new cases and deaths due COVID-19 disease in various countries and states on an increase in temperature and relative humidity. Whereas, a study conducted in China highlighted on April 2020 that relationship between COVID-19 infectivity and temperature is uncertain and there is a need to evaluate further at the global level. [34] As per WHO, corona virus disease can be transmitted in any weather. Taking hot bath or exposing to temperatures higher than 25°C, or spraying alcohol or chlorine throughout the body does not prevent the new coronavirus disease. [16, 35, 36] Similar uncertainty was pointed out among the studied participants. Less than half of the participants were sure about the protective role of high temperature, whereas about half of the participants commented in other way. Very few faculties were unknown about the specific relation of temperature and COVID-19. On the other hand, most of the faculties (90%) thought cold weather and snow kill the new coronavirus. As per the WHO, holding breath for 10 s or more without coughing or feeling discomfort, it does not mean a person are free from the coronavirus disease. Respiratory symptoms are very common as the Novel coronavirus is a respiratory tract virus. However, people must know that COVID-19 disease can be present in various other than respiratory symptoms like fever, easy fatigability, diarrhea, and headache. [37] There are controversies regarding how long the Novel coronavirus will last on various types of surfaces or materials. [38] When aerosols and surface stability of SARS-CoV-2 were analyzed, it is found that the virus can remain viable in the air for up to 3 h, on copper surface up to 4 h, cardboard-24 h, and plastic and stainless steel up to 72 h. There is no evidence about the stability of the novel corona virus on edible substances, though in the early phase of the epidemic in China, evidence were recorded for seafood transmission in wet market areas. [28] However, World Health Organization guided the community to wash vegetables and fruits thoroughly before eating and maintain hand hygiene while eating. [11] Public may be highly suspicious of the survival of corona virus over the surface. Hence people might be choosing the safer side by taking extra care of materials both edible and nonedible things especially brought from the outdoor (market). This study explored that significantly high percentage of participant adopted new practices of cleaning different material (vegetables, groceries or stationeries) like washing with salt-water, soap-water, warm-water, or keeping in sunlight. The practice of keeping material as it is brought from outdoor without special cleaning process was observed to be significantly common before than during the COVID-19 pandemic period. Comparable as well as variety of behavioural changes was observed in the other countries. Psychological and Behavioral Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic studied in Karachi, Pakistan by Balkhi et al. [39] observed that participants were feeling anxious (62.5%), and feared going to out in marketplaces (88.8%). They cancelled plans for outing for social gathering or any other purpose (84.5%). They adopted practices like washing hands more often (87%), reduced physical contact (86.5%), and almost all participants were concerned for the health of their family members (94.5%). During national level survey in Singapore about the behavioural changes observed that, almost all the participants (97%) have undertaken at least one infection control measure such as wearing mask, hand hygiene, social distancing, changing outdoor plans, or avoiding public transport, choose online shopping, stored up more household and food supplies etc. [9] Similarly in China, psychological status and behavior changes observed during this pandemic among 70.9% of respondents and most commonly used prevention measures were avoiding contact (98.0%), wearing a mask (83.7%), and hand hygiene (82.4%). [40] Akdeniz et al. found that protective behaviours towards COVID-19 outbreak were adopted by University students of Turkey; such as attention for handwashing (90%), social isolation (97%), and room ventilation (95%). Though the practice of wearing the mask is observed to be low (50%). [41] These results are matching with attitudes observed among the present study (Indian) participants. According to these respondents, the most essential preventive measure should be adopted by everybody is to maintain the social distancing (66.9%), followed by other measures use of mask (11.2%) and hand hygiene (9.23%). A collaborative campaign was run by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (fssai), Food and Agriculture Organization of United Nation (FAO), Eat Right India in coordination with the WHO on June 7, 2020, on the occasion of World Food Safety Day. In this campaign, various posters and pamphlets, handouts were exhibited out through online platform to raise the awareness level concerning food safety. [31, [42] [43] [44] Significantly high number of studied participants adopted hygienic practices for handling the currency notes or coins as a precautionary measure to avoid getting the infection. On review, no evidence was confirmed or disproved the corona virus transmission mode through coins or currency notes. As we know, respiratory droplets or aerosols expelled out from an infected person can contaminate the surface or material. As per the WHO, better we should maintain hand hygiene by washing or applying sanitizer after touching such suspicious that frequently touching surfaces or objects including the currency. [45] Limitation External validity of this survey is limited as results are valid for a particular education class. Recommendation: Further studies can be conducted in other socio-demographic categories by using this data collection tool. Such a survey in other settings (lower class or other literacy level) can be helpful to assess the prevention and control measures adopted and their perception for the COVID-19 pandemic. Studied participants were aware with the basic knowledge regarding novel corona virus disease and pandemic such as mode of infection spread in the community and essential required preventive measures to control its transmission. Social distancing is the prime preventive measure to control the disease transmission but one-fourth of the teachers were unaware about the safe social distance, i.e., 3 feet. Disease like COVID-19 can be spread rapidly if the basic preventive measures get ignored by this small quantity (one fourth) of people in the community which will affect at large scale. Similarly, one-fourth of the participants believed that garlic and pepper in the meal have a protective effect, whereas there are no evidence published or shared by WHO regarding its specific role. Uncertainty among the participants about the role of temperature was explored in through this study. Though some evidence suggested the negative correlation between temperature and humidity and COVID-19 disease spread or prognosis, whereas WHO guided no specific role of weather on coronavirus infection. Clinical presentation of novel Cov-19 disease varies from person to person, though respiratory symptoms are common. However, good breathing capacity does not rule out the presence of COVID-19 infection. Respondents believed that respiratory function ultimately indicates the presence or absence of disease. Significant high number of studied participants adopted new practices during pandemic for managing the materials brought from outdoor, which were very rare or equal to none before pandemic. They might be suspicious of the survival of novel corona virus over these surfaces. However FSSI, FAO, and WHO have guided to maintain hand hygiene and washing of fruits and vegetables with cold water. This information is needed to share on social platform which are widely used. No specific advices regarding stationeries or groceries. Still, people have adopted new hygienic practices. All these practices may be helpful not only in preventing the transmission of coronavirus infection but other infections too. Our team has also shared some of the authentic links and educational materials among the participants to clear the myths and facts regarding COVID-19 disease provided by WHO, FSSI and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, India. Is obtained from Institutional Ethics Committee. The outbreak of COVID-19: An overview World Health Organization. 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