Knowledge and practices regarding COVID-19 preventive measures among the patients admitted to a general medical ward

Abstract

Introduction: COVID 19 has developed into a global pandemic. Sri Lanka experiencing a major outbreak claiming many lives. Ministry of Health with other collaborators introduced precautions to be followed by the public. These included the proper wearing of masks, good hand hygiene, and social distancing. Objectives: To assess the knowledge and practices regarding COVID-19 preventive measures among patients admitted to a general medical ward. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was done at the University Medical Unit of Colombo South Teaching Hospital from May - July 2021. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Results: The study sample was 70 (55.7% males), with a mean age of 52.81 years (SD - 17.22). Of them, 47.1% were educated up to O/L and 44.3% up to A/L. More than half (57.1%) were employed and 78.6% had received at least one COVID 19 vaccine. Out of the seven questions on knowledge about covid-19, 77.1% scored 7/7, 20% scored 6/7, and the rest scored 5/6. Majority (98.6%) wore masks in public places and 25.7% experienced breathing difficulties. Out of the 12 steps of proper wearing masks, 4.3% followed all, 37.1% followed 9-11 and 52.9% followed 6-8 steps. For hand hygiene, 94.3% used soap and water and 40% used alcohol rub. Social distancing was maintained by 80.3%. Conclusion: Patients admitted to the general medical ward had good knowledge about COVID 19. Although most patients wear masks, proper technique is not followed by the majority. People attempt to keep good hand hygiene but social distancing is sub-optimal.