Health awareness and health well-being among people of central Kashmir in Kashmir valley during COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

The current study focuses on health awareness and health knowledge among people of central Kashmir in Kashmir valley during COVID-19 pandemic. Worldwide COVID-19 epidemic cases are increasing at a very fast rate posing a challenge to psychological resilience, economy and social life of people. In this paper, a well-designed validated questionnaire was used to collect the information from a sample of 400 respondents chosen at random via offline and online modes from Central Kashmir in Kashmir valley. The data collected was analyzed using standard statistical tools. The current study revealed that majority of respondents were not aware of the symptoms, causes and preventions of COVID-19. Majority of the respondents believe that rate of transmission of COVID-19 depends on various factors like age, gender, climatic conditions etc. The respondents reported that they were using family, print and electronic media as a medium to seek health information and status of COVID-19. Most of the respondents were of the opinion that lockdown is a temporary solution as it has resulted in other problems like psychological problems (55.5%), social problems (62.5%), economic problems (59.5%) and academic problems (81.5%). The respondents (66.5%) believed that COVID-19, heart attacks and cold climate are linked to each other. Majority of the respondents were health conscious and they suggested that people should follow WHO and health ministry guidelines to cope with the spread of COVID-19. They believe that we can protect ourselves by washing our hands frequently, avoiding touching our face and avoiding close contact (1 meter or 3 feet) with people who are unwell. It was suggested that to cope with COVID-19 threat, people of Kashmir should follow WHO guidelines and health ministry, involve themselves in physical, religious and social activities.