RETROSPECTIVE STUDY TO ASSESS KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND RECOVERY PRACTICES OF NON-HOSPITALIZED COVID-19 SURVIVORS IN PAKISTAN

Marryam Waris, Huda Rehman Mir* and Manam Walait

ABSTRACT

In the current time of the COVID-19 pandemic, effective measures are being taken worldwide to combat the disease outbreak. Initially the global mortality rate was so high but many people contracted the disease with mild symptoms and got recovered at home while other remained asymptomatic. As there is a surge in COVID-19 cases amid recent wave in Pakistan, it is important to assess the disease awareness, perception and the practices followed by the recovered people who got infected during the previous infectious wave. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the knowledge, attitude and practices of the Mildly Symptomatic COVID-19 recovered patients. A Cross-Sectional Survey was conducted online and a Google Questionnaire was generated covering socio-demographics, knowledge, attitudes and practice-based questions. Using statistical analysis, the data suggests that most of the participants 101(89.3%) had good knowledge score of >7 (Range: 0-13), positive attitude score of >3 (Range: 0-6) 84(73.6%) and good practice score of >5 (Range: 0-10) 106(92.9 %). Income was significantly correlated to all three variables of KAP. Recovery practices involved intake of fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, protein rich food, having steam 3 to 4 times a day had been noticed in 93% respondents. Females’ recovery practices were statically significant (p=.049). This survey is among the first to assess KAP of COVID-19 survivors in Pakistan. The results may prove helpful in the recovery of the new COVID-19 cases amid future waves. Awareness campaigns for eradicating shame and fear of sharing disease experience of the survivors is suggested. Future studies needed to be done on larger population size.

Keywords: Knowledge, COVID-19, Recovered patients, Attitude, Mildly Symptomatic.