Raja Vikram Prasad1 , Deepa Latha Ciddhavaduta2 , Vivekanandan Kalaiselvan3 , MadhaviLatha Midde4 , R.V.S. Sri Ramachandra Murthy5 , Afsar Fatima6 , Mohammad Abdul Mushtaq Pasha7
BACKGROUND Present pandemic COVID-19 outbreak in China is spreading globally. WHO confirmed 8.126 million cases and deaths were 445K globally. India recorded 377974 confirmed cases and 14240 deaths and Andhra Pradesh 7071 confirmed cases and 90 deaths, with a mortality of 3.3 % according to sources of health ministry and from updates 18th June 2020 news bulletin. METHODS This is a prospective cross sectional observational, study conducted in Nandyal, Andhra Pradesh. 1734 participants (384 general population, 250 doctors, 450 nurses, 550 class IV staff, 50 pharmacists and 50 police personnel) were included and modified predesigned WHO Questionnaire was used to collect the data. 1350 participants frontline healthcare personnel, pharmacists and police were enrolled for hydroxychloroquine prophylaxis; 384 participants used preventive measures like masks, social distancing, hand washing, staying at home, and usage of Aarogya Setu App. The collected data was analysed using SPSS version-22 software. Results were tabulated for demographic details, knowledge, attitude, practice analysis and statistical analysis. RESULTS 39.6 % had knowledge, 68 % had attitude to adopt measures and 72.7 % were following preventive measures and 3.1 % were using Aarogya Setu App to protect themselves from COVID-19. 1350 participants were HCQ prophylaxis for 7 weeks; in these participants, pre- and post-tests were done and were found to be negative for corona infection; 1.6 % had mild ADRs. In order to prevent the spread of COVID-19, 100 % awareness among the community is required. CONCLUSIONS Though general population had 39.6 % knowledge on preventive measures for corona, 72.7 % were following them. On the other hand, frontline healthcare professionals and workers who were on hydroxychloroquine prophylaxis were found to be negative for corona infection.
