Rahman, Farah Naz, Bhyiyan, Amin, Hossen, Kabir, Khan, Hafiz T.A. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1817-3730, Rahman, Fazlur and Dalal, Koustuv (2021) Challenges in preventive practices and risk communication towards COVID-19: a cross-sectional study in Bangladesh. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18 (17). p. 9259.

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Abstract

Bangladesh recently experienced a COVID-19 second wave, resulting in the highest number of new cases and deaths in a single day. This study aims to identify the challenges for COVID-19 preventive practices and risk communications and associated factors among Bangladeshi adults. A cross-sectional survey was conducted between December 2020 and January 2021 involving 1,382 Bangladeshi adults (aged ≥18-years) in randomly selected urban and rural areas from all eight divisions in Bangladesh. Descriptive data analysis was conducted to highlight the challenges for preventive practices and risk communications for COVID-19. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to determine the sociodemographic groups vulnerable to these challenges. Lack of availability of protective equipment (44.4%), crowded living situations/workspaces (36.8%), inadequate information on the proper use of protective measures (21.9%), inadequate handwashing and sanitation facilities (17.6%), and negative influences on family/friends (17.4%) were identified as barriers to COVID-19 preventive practices. It was also found that males (OR=1.3, 95% CI=1.01,1.7), rural residents (OR=1.5, 95% CI=1.2,2), respondents with a low level of education: No schooling vs. ≥ higher secondary (OR=3.5, 95% CI=2.3,5.2), Primary vs. ≥ higher secondary (OR=2.5, 95%CI=1.7,3.8), respondents engaged in agricultural (OR=1.7, 95%CI=1.2,2.4), laboring (OR=3.2, 95% CI=2,5), and domestic (OR=1.6, 95% CI=1.07,2.5) works, and people with disabilities (OR=1.7, 95% CI=1.1,2.6) were all likely to have difficulty in practicing effective COVID-19 protective behaviors. Respondents’ education and occupation were significant predictors of inadequate understanding of COVID-19 risk communications and was identified as a problem among 17.4% of the respondents. A substantial percentage of Bangladeshi adults have difficulty practising COVID-19 protective behaviours and have poor comprehension of risk communications, particularly in rural areas and among those with low education. This research can aid policymakers in developing tailored COVID-19 risk communications and mitigation strategies to help prevent future waves of the pandemic.

Item Type:	Article
Identifier:	10.3390/ijerph18179259
Additional Information:	Gold OA
Keywords:	Bangladesh, COVID-19, Pandemic, Protective Behavior, Risk Communication
Subjects:	Medicine and health > Health promotion and public health Medicine and health > Health promotion and public health > Infection prevention Medicine and health
Related URLs:	Publisher https://www.researchsquare.com/article/r...
Depositing User:	Hafiz T.A. Khan
Date Deposited:	31 Aug 2021 06:43
Last Modified:	04 Nov 2024 11:24
URI:	https://repository.uwl.ac.uk/id/eprint/8207

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