KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICES TOWARD COVID-19 AMONG SLUM DWELLERS IN DISTRICT LAYYAH PUNJAB PAKISTAN

Abstract

Coronavirus disease now spreading all over the world, many strategies are not possible to the same degree in developing or underdeveloped countries and especially not in slum settings or informal settlements because of mixture of a population density and lesser information about pandemic. Public cohesion is influenced by their knowledge, attitudes and practices toward COVID-19 during pandemic. This is a cross sectional study using data collected via self reported questionnaire from 150 respondents from district Layyah including both urban and rural slum dwellers. Knowledge gap theory was opted for this research, this theory shows the knowledge gap due to social interaction and surroundings. Due to a worsening health system and spread of misinformation about COVID-19, slum dwellers held lower knowledge scores toward pandemic. Due to illiteracy, slum dwellers held negative attitudes and continued their routine activities without following SOPs. Findings of the study suggest that targeted interventions about health education should be directed to lower income groups, less educated dwellers and especially men. For example, knowledge about COVID-19 may enhance significantly if health education programs are specially focused at men