Community People Preparedness and Response on Prevention and Control of COVID-19 Best Practice in Bangladesh

Purpose: The major objectives of the study were to assess the knowledge, attitude & practice (KAP) towards community preparedness and response on prevention of COVID-19 among the community people. Method: A sample survey was conducted to collect data from people admitted to a district-level tertiary hospital for the treatment of various health complications during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 300 randomly selected patients and their attendants were interviewed in the hospital setting. Results: The mean knowledge score was 18.73 out of 24 and the main sources of information were TV (86.5%), radio (13%), newspaper (13%), social media (13.5%), friends/relatives (14%), formal healthcare providers (6%) and religious leaders (3%). Knowledge was significantly poor among aged people, women, less educated, and less earning. The majority of the participants (79%) suggested wearing facemasks as effective tools to prevent COVID-19 from spreading, whereas 56% mentioned maintaining physical or social distance as crucial to prevent the infection. We found strong relationship between monthly total family expenses and wearing of facemasks by gender to prevent the COVID-19 (x2= 18.405; Cramer’s V= .17, df = 8; sig; P= < .018). Similarly maintaining physical/social distance to prevent COVID-19 is also related to respondents’ economic strata (x2= 43.741; Cramer’s V= .14, df = 20; Sig; P= < .002). Conclusions: Awareness program on COVID-19 is very important to prevent the spread of the deadly virus.  Effective communication intervention with increasing treatment facilities is essential for the prevention and control of COVID-19. Government and development agencies should prioritize the COVID-19 response program with regular health care services.