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Analyzing the factors breaching preparedness and non-pharmaceutical interventions to contain Coronavirus Disease 2019 in Bangladesh: a knowledge, attitude and practice-based cross-sectional study
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  • Nadira Naznin Rakhi ,
  • Md. Hasanul Banna Siam,
  • Fatema Khairunnassa,
  • M. Zahid Hasan
Nadira Naznin Rakhi
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Md. Hasanul Banna Siam
University of Dhaka,
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Fatema Khairunnassa
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University
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M. Zahid Hasan
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University
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Abstract

Abstract Background: Considering the lack of definitive drug or vaccine, the non-pharmaceutical interventions need to be implemented to control the current coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, notably in countries with limited resources like Bangladesh. So, the study targeted the university students of Bangladesh as the representatives of the millennials to determine their level of awareness regarding COVID-19. Methods: A cross-sectional study was designed to determine the knowledge, attitude and practices with a co-produced perception section regarding COVID-19 among university students in Bangladesh. The survey was conducted from 16 to 23rd March, 2020. Descriptive and inferential analyses were performed with statistical significance defined as p < 0.05. Result: Among 1393 students participated in the study, about one-third of them had a positive attitude towards COVID-19 issues, although only 6.9% had good knowledge. While the majority of the participants followed sneezing/ coughing etiquette, frequent hand washing/sanitizing, limited body contact and public transport, etc., both good knowledge and positive attitude were significantly associated with respondents’ good practices. But despite the satisfactory hand hygiene behaviors, awareness is required about the type of sanitizers and the importance of washing hands for 20seconds. Promoting health educative activities through Facebook might be considered to improve the knowledge level, especially to raise awareness about rare symptoms and asymptomatic transmission. However, bazaars might be the potential point of the outbreak that needs to be controlled. Conclusion: The study supports the concerning lack of knowledge among the students along with suggesting the issues to be addressed for successful containment of COVID-19.