A CLINICAL STUDY OF COVID-19 IN PAKISTAN: PERSPECTIVE OF GENERAL PEOPLE

Background: corona virus was reported on 17 November, 2019, in China, when 55-year-old man contracted COVID-19. It takes couple of weeks, when the doctors of china noted further cases in Wuhan. The corona virus surfaced in seafood and poultry market of Wuhan, quickly spread to at least 177 countries. So far 2.5 million have contracted virus, out of which ten thousand people has died around the globe. In Pakistan 9,749 cases are reported in which 209 people died. In Pakistan first two cases of coronavirus was reported on 26 February 2020.(1) This number may also increase with passage of time and after relaxation in lockdown in all the major cities of Pakistan. As a developing country and facing other major issues in the form of economy, Pakistan may not control the outbreak of COVID-19 at larger level. However, awareness in general people regarding symptoms, control and precautions may help Pakistan to control this pandemic.

Objective: To find out level of awareness in people of Pakistan about COVID 19, also about its symptoms and precautionary measures.

Methods:  Survey was carried out in Lahore, Pakistan. In which data from 162 respondents were selected through systematic random sampling technique. Data collected through questionnaire. Due to prevailing circumstances in the country after Coronavirus Pandemic, data was collected from the respondents through an online survey. Approval from ethical committee of Evergreen Hospital, Lahore was taken. Data collected was analyzed using SPSS.

Results: Out of total 162, 63 were females and 98 were males. Mean age was found to be 48.5 with minimum value of 16 and maximum of 6. Source of information regarding COVID-19 for 97.5% was internet (WHO/ CDC and other related sites) website and social media, 99.4% had knowledge that corona virus is caused by virus, 97% had knowledge that symptom of COVID-19 are similar to flu, cough, fever. 96.9% had knowledge that disease transmits by shaking hand with infected person or using things that they have used before, 56.2% had knowledge that incubation period for virus is 7 days, 80.9% had knowledge about preventive measurements.

Conclusion: Level of awareness regarding COVID-19, its symptoms and precautionary measures is present in people of Pakistan.