Daniel Vancooten and E. Marciano Glasgow
Published: December 17, 2021 • Book of Abstracts – Student Research, Volume 2 [Forthcoming]
Daniel Vancooten ✉️ Department of Environmental Studies, Faculty and Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Guyana – Turkeyen Campus, Greater Georgetown.
With the rapid increase in the number of COVID-19 cases, this study was conducted to ascertain the level of knowledge, views and practices of the residents of the communities of De Kinderen and Meten-Meer-Zorg, Essequibo-Islands-West Demerara (Region III) on the World Health Organisation (WHO)-recommended COVID-19 guidelines, as means of implementing strategic action against increasing cases. 100 questionnaires were randomly administered via telephone to 65 residents in De Kinderen and 35 residents in Meten-Meer-Zorg during the months of April and May 2021. The findings revealed that 71% of respondents were knowledgeable of all of the COVID-19 guidelines recommended by the WHO. The main hindrance to the practicing of safe social distancing among the respondents was overcrowding in public transit. In addition, the most common factor preventing the respondents from always using the WHO-recommended face mask was its unavailability and unaffordability. It was found that the most used sources of information among the residents were social media and word of mouth. With both being non-formal platforms, it could be challenging for residents to differentiate whether information received was true or false. As it relates to the views of the respondents, it was found that their most common view about COVID-19 was that it was just a common virus that can be cured with home remedies. However, most respondents (86%) still held a positive view of the COVID-19 guidelines, which they perceived to be essential. It was determined that all of the COVID-19 guidelines were practiced by 48% of respondents as most persons did not have personal protective equipment or depended heavily on public transportation. There is need for improvement in awareness of the COVID-19 guidelines, monitoring of public transportation, and affordable personal protective equipment among the residents of De Kinderen and Meten-Meer-Zorg.
Keywords: Awareness, COVID-19, Knowledge, Practice, Views, WHO
Published: 2021-12-17
