Sample Characteristics
A total of 496 individuals responded to the online survey. The average time that was taken to complete the survey was 10 min. More than half of the study respondents (32.7%, N = 164) were female, and 67.3% (N = 337) were male; The average age of participants was 21 years, more than half of the study respondents 71.5% (N = 358) were unmarried and 28.5% (N = 143) respondents were married, and most of the study respondents were residents from Gujarat. About occupation, 64.7% (N = 324) were students, and 7.6% (N = 38) were government employees. In relation to the job of respondents, 16.6% (N = 83) and 11.1% (N = 51) were business man, farmers, housewives, retired respondents (Table 1).
Majority of the participants got the information regarding COVID‑19 and omicron from social media, followed by TV, radio, family/friends and newspaper. Majority were aware about the availability of COVID-19 vaccine.77.6% (N = 386) were taken two dose of vaccine, 6.5% (N = 32) were taken one dose of vaccine, 10.3% (N = 51) were taken two dose and additional precaution dose 1.6% (N = 8) were not taken vaccine (Table 3).
The mean knowledge score obtained by the participants was 10.56. Minimum score obtained was 0 and maximum score was 15. The median score was 11.
Table 2. Shows the sociodemographic characteristics of the study participants.
Characteristics
|
Frequency (%)
|
Gender
|
|
Male
|
64.30%
|
Female
|
32.70%
|
Marital status
|
|
Married
|
28.5%
|
Unmarried
|
71.5%
|
Occupation
|
|
Job
|
16.60%
|
Business man
|
5.80%
|
Farmer
|
6%
|
Housewife
|
4%
|
Retired
|
0.70%
|
Government employee
|
7.60%
|
Student
|
64.70%
|
Knowledge, attitudes, and practices concerning COVID-19
Knowledge
Most respondents answered about 11/15 knowledge items correctly. Respondents appeared to be knowledgeable about diagnose for covid 19 and omicron virus through RT-PCR test (95.5% answered correctly, 4.5% incorrectly) (table 3). The high prevalence of misunderstanding was discovered in a knowledge item, with participants believing that the best preventive measure for covid-19 and omicron is to wear mask and social distancing instead of stay at home. Only 43.3% correctly answered the true statement, 27.7% believed in social distancing, and 26.1% said to wear mask. Almost all participants (98.8 %) correctly choose 14 days as the quarantine period (14 days) for suspected people. Remarkably, three out of four participants correctly opted for RNA as the genetic material of the SARS-nCoV2. Knowledge scores significantly differed across education level. In the case of knowledge level towards COVID-19, generally speaking, the majority of the participants (67.6 %) had moderate knowledge and one out of four had good knowledge towards different COVID-19 related items, inquired in the study (table 3). From 496 participants, 73.34% have good knowledge and 26.34% participants have poor knowledge of covid-19 and omicron.
Table 3: Knowledge related to COVID-19 and omicron
Que NO.
|
Knowledge items
|
Correct (%) (n)
|
Incorrect (%) (n)
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
Where was the first case of omicron reported globally?
|
72.1% (353)
|
27.9% (143)
|
|
|
2
|
In which state was the first case of COVID-19 reported in India?
|
75.1% (362)
|
24.9% (134)
|
|
|
3
|
How does COVID-19 spread mainly?
|
75.3% (361)
|
24.7% (135)
|
|
|
4
|
For how many days are suspected people isolated and observed in quarantine?
|
93.4% (458)
|
6.6% (38)
|
|
|
5
|
What is the recommended minimal social distancing norms (in feet) to prevent COVID-19 and omicron’s spread?
|
75.7% (366)
|
24.3% (130)
|
|
|
6
|
Which is the best preventive measure for COVID-19 and omicron?
|
43.3% (214)
|
56.7% (282)
|
|
|
7
|
We cannot prevent COVID-19 and omicron’s spreading.
|
75.7% (368)
|
24.3% (128)
|
|
|
8
|
Is the Omicron variant of COVID-19 more severe than Delta Variant?
|
58.3% (280)
|
41.75% (216)
|
|
|
9
|
Which organ is most Affected in covid 19?
|
91.4% (448)
|
8.6% (48)
|
|
|
10
|
Are you fully vaccinated?
|
78.5% (386)
|
21.5% (110)
|
|
|
11
|
A recovered person be infected with corona or omicron virus again?
|
92.3% (454)
|
7.7% (42)
|
|
|
12
|
How can covid-19 and omicron diagnose?
|
95.5% (472)
|
4.5% (24)
|
|
|
13
|
Do you know currently designated variants of concern (VOCs) of SARS-CoV-2?
|
89.6% (439)
|
10.4% (57)
|
|
|
14
|
Select three main symptoms of omicron
|
46.9% (234)
|
53.1% (262)
|
|
|
15
|
For omicron variant how many days a symptomatic and suspected people isolated at home as per new ICMR guideline?
|
74.1% (363)
|
25.9% (133)
|
|
|
|
|
Attitude:
It represents the responses obtained for attitude items of questionnaire towards COVID-19 and omicron. About 90 % (n=496) individuals (strongly agreed, 28.2 % and agreed, 42.7 %) were of the view that COVID-19 and omicron was a serious health concern in society. Eight out of ten participants agreed that the Indian government had endeavoured in a commendable perspective as far as controlling the spread of COVID-19 and omicron was concerned besides being upbeat about the successful containment of the current pandemic by the government (table 4). Even so, 13.4 % of participants were neutral against disagreeing respondents of around 4.8% whether the virus would be controlled. Almost 67 % of participants agreed that people were panicky in India and half of the participants were apprehensive of contacting the COVID-19 and omicron infection. Most of the participants 77.7% thought that traveling was the main reason to contact the COVID-19 and omicron infection while 54.8 % agreed that their daily life was spoiled due to the current pandemic. Approximately 84.3 % of participants believed and agreed that patients recovered from COVID-19 and omicron infection could be allowed in society, while 6.4 % disagreed and other have neutral opinion. Against a small number of unwilling respondents 4.2 %, the majority of the participants agreed to undergo self-isolation in case they showed the symptoms of COVID-19 and omicron (table 4). From 496 participants, 76.41% have good,11.97% have moderate and 11.62% have poor attitude towards covid-19 and omicron.
Table 4: Attitudes related to covid-19 and omicron
Questionaries
|
Strongly disagree
|
Disagree
|
Neutral
|
Agree
|
Strongly agree
|
p-Value
|
1. There is nothing called Coronavirus and omicron; it is just a bad air
|
217
(43.8%)
|
127
(25.6%)
|
31
(6.3%)
|
91
(18.3%)
|
30
(6%)
|
<0.05
|
2. We can stay safe if we pray to Allah/God/Creator regularly in COVID-19 pandemic and omicron wave
|
145
(29.2%)
|
120
(24.2%)
|
80
(16.1%)
|
115
(23.2%)
|
36
(7.3%)
|
<0.05
|
3. You think COVID-19 and omicron is a serious public health threat.
|
22
(4.4%)
|
44
(8.9%)
|
78
(15.7%)
|
212
(42.7%)
|
140
(28.2%)
|
<0.05
|
4. The Indian government is putting up a great effort in controlling the spread of COVID-19 and omicron.
|
11
(2.2%)
|
14
(2.8%)
|
64
(12.9%)
|
239
(48.2%)
|
168
(33.9%)
|
<0.05
|
5. Traveling is a prime reason for contracting COVID-19 and omicron.
|
21
(4.2%)
|
47
(9.5%)
|
89
(17.9%)
|
250
(50.4%)
|
89
(17.9%)
|
<0.05
|
6. Patients recovered from COVID-19 and omicron can be allowed into the society.
|
18
(3.6%)
|
14
(2.8%)
|
46
(9.3%)
|
259
(52.2%)
|
159
(32.1%)
|
<0.05
|
7. If I have symptoms of COVID-19 or omicron, I will isolate myself.
|
9
(1.8%)
|
12
(2.4%)
|
27
(5.4%)
|
192
(38.7%)
|
256
(51.6%)
|
<0.05
|
8. Indian government's suggestion to support the healthcare workers (physician, nurse, pharmacist, lab assistants) by clapping on 22nd March, 2020 during COVID-19 lock-down is appreciable.
|
21
(4.2%)
|
16
(3.2%)
|
54
(10.9%)
|
225
(45.4%)
|
180
(36.3%)
|
<0.05
|
9. Do you think that health education can help to prevent COVID-19 and omicron
|
9
(1.8%)
|
14
(2.8%)
|
40
(8.1%)
|
251
(50.6%)
|
182
(36.7%)
|
<0.05
|
Remark: p-value based on the Chi-square test.
|
Practices
Represents the responses obtained for practice items of the questionnaire towards COVID-19. Around 6 % (n=35) of participants reported that they were ‘never’ following good 12 practices towards COVID-19 such as wearing a nose mask, maintaining social distance, washing hands, and avoiding crowded places during the pandemic (table 5). However, around nine out of ten participants affirmed with an ‘always’ response, following the afore-stated good practices. Around 11 % and 9 % of participants respectively said that they were willing to attend functions and shake hands with friends during the outbreak. Almost, eight out of ten people supported lockdown imposed in the country to control COVID-19 spread. In the case of practice level towards COVID-19, generally speaking, eight out of ten had a ‘good’ practice level, while 15 % showed ‘moderate’ and 3.2 % registered ‘poor’ practice skills towards different items of the inquiry (table 5). From 496 participants, 66% have good, 25.25% have moderate and 8.75% have poor practice towards covid-19 and omicron.
Table 5: Practice related covid-19 and omicron
Questionaries
|
Never
|
Sometimes
|
Always
|
p-Value
|
1. Are you wearing a nose mask when you go out during the COVID-19 and omicron outbreak?
|
10
(2%)
|
43
(8.7%)
|
443
(89.3%)
|
<0.05
|
2. Are you carrying sanitizer during the COVID-19 and omicron outbreak?
|
13
(2.6%)
|
125
(25.2%)
|
358
(72.2%)
|
<0.05
|
3. Are you maintaining social distance during the COVID-19 and omicron outbreak?
|
11
(2.2%)
|
99
(20%)
|
386
(77.8%)
|
<0.05
|
4. Do you wash your hands after returning from outside during the COVID-19 and omicron outbreak?
|
8
(1.6%)
|
74
(14.9%)
|
414
(83.5%)
|
<0.05
|
5. Are you avoiding crowded places (worship places, bus, and train stations, mall, bank, functions, etc.) these days?
|
13
(2.6%)
|
167
(33.7%)
|
316
(63.7%)
|
<0.05
|
6. Are you willing to attend functions during the COVID19 and omicron outbreak?
|
169
(34.1%)
|
170
(34.3%)
|
157
(31.7%)
|
<0.05
|
7. Are you supporting lockdown in India to control the COVID-19 and omicron?
|
70
(14.1%)
|
127
(25.6%)
|
299
(60.3%)
|
<0.05
|
8. Avoided touching eyes, nose, and mouth with hands
|
13
(2.6%)
|
135
(27.2%)
|
348
(70.2%)
|
<0.05
|
9. Do you take any vitamin supplements and any traditional/herbal medicine to prevent COVID-19 and omicron?
|
96
(19.4%)
|
187
(37.7%)
|
213
(42.9%)
|
<0.05
|
Remark: p-value based on the Chi-square test.
|
Table 6: Distribution of Knowledge among demographic variable of Gujarat people towards covid-19 and omicron
Demographic characteristics
|
Knowledge score
(mean ± SD)
|
F-value
|
P-value
|
Gender
|
Male
|
11.33
|
2.899
|
3.045
|
0.081
|
|
Female
|
10.90
|
2.595
|
Marital status
|
Married
|
11.97
|
2.142
|
18.054
|
0.000025
|
|
Unmarried
|
10.88
|
2.913
|
Occupation
|
Business man
|
8.83
|
4.362
|
2.086
|
0.0533
|
|
Farmer
|
13
|
1.414
|
|
Government employee
|
9.50
|
3.889
|
|
Job
|
11.23
|
2.665
|
|
Student
|
10.91
|
2.892
|
|
House wife
|
11.26
|
2.644
|
|
Retired
|
11
|
2.828
|
Supporting information:
Supplementary Table.