COVID-Related Practices in a Remote Rural Municipality of Nepal – an observational study

• Published in: Journal of Karnali Academy of Health Sciences Vol. 5; no. 1
• Main Authors: Jay Prakash Jha, Prem Prasad Panta
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Karnali Academy of Health Sciences 01.04.2022
• Subjects: COVID Screening; Health Promotion; Pranayam; RDT; Yogasan
• ISSN: 2616-0064; 2676-1327

Introduction: Health promotion, specific preventive measures, disease screening and timely isolation are mainstay for controlling spread of COVID-19 infection. This study is conducted in a remote place of Nepal to describe the various preventive measures practised by community for COVID prevention and general health fitness. Methods: An observational study was conducted in Guthichaur Rural Municipality (RM) of Jumla. The subjects were tested for antigen by Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) kit. Subjects were evaluated with a questionnaire to assess the awareness and practises related to COVID prevention and health promotion, including Yogasan and Pranayam. Data were analysed by descriptive (mean and standard deviation) and inferential (Chi Square test) statistics. Results: Total 546 subjects were tested for COVID, 49 were positive by RDT (case positivity rate 9%). Among them, 218 were evaluated by questionnaire. Mean age was 40.39 years (range 5 – 81). Sex ratio was 1.9, favouring males; but females were more (58%) among COVID positive. Common complaints were headache, fever, dry cough and bodyache. There were significantly higher positive subjects who had contact with COVID positive individuals within past 14 days (p<0.001). Most of the subjects in both the groups practised standard preventive measures. Hot water and herbal products were commonly used in the community. The awareness and practices of Yogasan and Pranayam were low in all subjects, but more COVID positive subjects were unaware than COVID negative ones. Conclusion: The case positivity rate in Guthichaur RM of Jumla was 9% by RDT. Most subjects practised general preventive measures, but their awareness and practise of Yogasan and Pranayam were poor. Women should be encouraged for the screening test. More awareness about health fitness should be given in the community, and the COVID management system needs to be improved.