Knowledge, attitude, practice, and post-infection effects regarding
COVID-19, and vaccine acceptance among general people of North India --
A multicentred cross-sectional study.
Abstract
Purpose: This study aimed to assess COVID-19 awareness, attitude,
practice, and post-infection effects, as well as vaccine acceptance,
among general people in North India at the end of the first COVID-19
wave in India. Method: A cross-sectional, multicentred survey took place
from 20 January to 28 February 2021 in Northern India, covering 8
states, including Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh,
Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir, Delhi, and Chandigarh to assess the KAP
in the context of COVID-19. A validated questionnaire was distributed
via social media (Instagram, WhatsApp), and responses were collected via
a Google Form. Result: The total number of participants was n=813, out
of which more than half of the responder were male (54.2%). The
majority of respondents belong to the age category 18 to 29 years
(66.9%) and (85.8%) of respondents come from a nuclear family. Mean
(percentage) scores for knowledge, attitude, and practice were 57.91%,
60.98%, and 89.79% respectively. The vaccine acceptance in
participants was quite high (70.8%), (67.7%) have a positive belief in
vaccine efficacy, and (42.7%) of respondents were willing to take the
vaccine at a health centre/clinic. Out of total participants (74.5%)
believe that vaccines can control the spread of COVID-19. The prevalence
of post-infection effects was more in females with a mean percentage of
52.94, like (94.1%) of females and (70.4%) of males. Conclusion:
Although the overall KAP regarding COVID-19 disease was average and
balanced in some areas (69.56% overall in all categories of KAP) in our
participants. Our result finding shows that there are certain gaps in
knowledge, attitude, and practice of participants which can be decreased
by efficient and tailor-made health education initiatives. Due to these
gaps, India is facing a second wave of COVID-19