INTRODUCTION:

WHO Declared it is global pandemic, the first case of COVID-19 in India, which originated from China, was reported on 30 January 2020. India currently has the largest number of confirmed cases in Asia, and, as of April 2021, has the second-highest number of confirmed cases in the world (after the United States) with more than 15.061 million reported cases of COVID-19 infection and more than 178,769 deaths as of April 19, 2021.¹

Most people infected with the virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment. However, some will become seriously ill and require medical attention. Older people and those with underlying medical conditions like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, or cancer are more likely to develop serious illness. Anyone can get sick with COVID-19 and become seriously ill or die at any age.²

The best way to prevent and slow down transmission is to be well informed about the disease and how the virus spreads. Protect yourself and others from infection by staying at least 1 meter apart from others, wearing a properly fitted mask, and washing your hands or using an alcohol-based rub frequently. Get vaccinated when it’s your turn and follow local guidance³.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM:

A study to assess the knowledge on prevention of covid-19 among Rural elderly at selected rural area at Mysuru

OBJECTIVES:

1. To assess the knowledge regarding prevention of covid-19 among Rural elderly in a selected rural area at Mysuru

2. To determine the association Knowledge regarding prevention of covid-19 among Rural elderly in a selected rural area at Mysuru with their selected personal variables.

HYPOTHESES:

1. H1- There will be significant association between the knowledge regarding prevention of covid-19 among Rural elderly in a selected rural area at Mysuru with their selected personal variables.

Conceptual Frame Work:

The conceptual framework of the study is based on the penders health Belief model.

Assumptions

1. Rural Elderly may have moderate knowledge on prevention of Covid -19.

Delimitation:

Study is delimited to those who are residing in rural community Under Varuna PHC at Mysuru dist.

METHODOLOGY:

Research Approach:

Quantitative approach was adopted for the present study.

Research Design:

Descriptive design was adopted for present study

Keys:

Variables of the Study:

Research variable: Knowledge regarding covid-19.

Other variables: Selected personal variables viz., age, gender religion educational qualification, and previous exposure Covid -19 and attended any educational programme regarding Covid -19.

Sources of the Data:

Setting of the Study:

The present study was conducted in Varuna PHC at Mysuru.

Population:

Population comprised of rural elderly at Mysuru dist

Sample and Sampling:

Rural elders were selected as samples for the present study.

Sampling Technique:

Non- probability convenient sampling technique was used in the present study to select 60 rural elderly at rural area of Mysuru dist.

Sampling Criteria:

Inclusion criteria:

Rural elders who are:

· Available during the period of data collection.

· Willing to participate in the study

Exclusion criteria:

Diabetic patients who were not available at the time of data collection.

Data Collection Techniques and Instruments:

Development of tool:

The tool was developed through following steps:

1. Review of research and non research literature related to covid-19.

2. Opinion of experts from the nursing department.

Description of Tool:

The tool consists of two sections.

Section A: Consists of Proforma for selected personal variables of respondents seeking information such as age, gender, educational status, previous exposure to educational program me on prevention of covid-19.

Section B: Includes structured knowledge questionnaire to assess the knowledge regarding prevention of covid-19.

Grades will be assigned as mentioned below:

· < 50 Inadequate knowledge

· 50-75 moderate knowledge

· > 75 adequate knowledge

CONTENT VALIDITY:

The tool was given to 6 experts in nursing field and 1 Statistician to establish content validity. There was 100% agreement by all experts. However there were few suggestions to modify some questions and they were incorporated in the final draft.

RELIABILITY:

The reliability was established through split half method by administering it to 30 rural elderly at Mysuru dist. Co efficient correlation was 0.71. Hence the tool was found to be reliable.

Procedure for the Data Collection:

Permission for conducting the study was obtained from consent authority the data was collected. An informed consent was obtained from each subject to indicate their willingness to participate in the study. The data collection process was terminated after thanking each respondent for their participation and their co operation.

RESULTS:

Section 1 Description of selected personal variables of study subjects.

Table 1: Frequency and percentage distribution on management of rural elderly according to their selected personal variables. n = 60

Sl.

No.

Demo

graphy

Category

Respondents

Frequency

Percent (%)

01.

Age (years)

.>35

35-45

45-55

55 and above

02.

Sex

Male

Female

71.66

28.33

03.

Religion

Hindu

Muslim

Christine

100

04.

Type of Family

Nuclear

Joint

63.33

36.66

05.

Education

Illiterates

Primary

Higher secondary

PUC and above

31.66

28.33

06.

Income

<10000

Rs 10000-20000

Rs.>20000

00.

Exposure to covid 19.

Exposed

Not exposed

68.33

31.66

01.

Awareness on Covid -19

Aware

Not aware

100

Section -2 Frequency and percentage distribution of rural elderly according to their level of knowledge.

		n=60
Knowledge level	f (%)	(%)
Adequate Knowledge (<13)	51	85%
Moderate Knowledge (13-20)	9	15%
Inadequate Knowledge (>20)	00	00%

Table 3: Mean, median, standard deviation, scores n=60

Sl. No

Aspects

Max.

Score

Range

Score

Mean

Score

Mean %

01.

Knowledge

21-30

23.33

78.86

3.06

Section- 3

Association between the level of knowledge regarding Prevention of Covid-19 among Rural Elderly with their selected personal variables:

To find out the association between the levels of knowledge on COVID 19 with their personal variables, chi square was computed and following hypothesis is stated.

H01: There is a significant association between the knowledge regarding Prevention of covid-19 among rural elderly with their selected personal variables:

Calculated chi square value showed that there was a significant association found between the knowledge on prevention of covid 19 with their selected personal variables such as age, education status. Hence the hypothesis is accepted and it is inferred that there is a significant association between knowledge on prevention of covid-19 with their selected personal variable.

IMPLICATIONS:

The findings of present study have implications for nursing practice, nursing education, nursing administration and nursing research.

Nursing Practice:

It is important to prevent the outbreak of Covid -19 in Geographical area and those who diagnosed as covid-19 must have knowledge positive attitude to overcome with this problem. Hence it is importance for prevention of covid -19 to change import their knowledge regarding prevention of covid-19.

Nursing Education:

Education is the key component to update and change the knowledge of an people. The nurse educator can conduct the educational programme in community setting about awareness of covid-19 to change import their knowledge to prevent the outbreak.

Nursing Administration:

Nursing administrator is the key person to plan, organize and conduct educational programme. Nurse administrators can encourage the rural elderly to participate in educational intervention on Covid-19 awareness campaign.

Nursing Research:

The topic has great relevance to the present day in public health. The study stresses on the need for extensive research in the subject and for more implication to improve the awareness on Covid-19 outbreaks.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

1. Similar study can be carried out on a large scale to generalize the findings.

2. A Similar study can be conducted in other population.

3. A comparative study can be conducted between Urban Elderly.

CONCLUSION:

It was concluded that Covid-19 patients was having adequate knowledge regarding Covid-19 Study finding also emphasizes the there is a significance association between the level of knowledge with their personnel demographic variable.

ACKNOWLWDGEMENT:

It’s my pleasure and privilege to express my deep sence of gratitude to.JSS Mahavidyapheta, Mysuru. librarian Mr. Kesavamurthy who helps a lot for finding the reviews. and special thanks to ashwini and Alish raj for his constant support.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST:

Nil.

REFERENCES:

1. Available from URL https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus

2. https://www.mohfw.gov.in/

3. https://www.sciencedirect.com

4. BT. Basavanthappa. Nursing Research. 1^st ed. Jaypee publisher;

5. Sunder Roa (1999) “An Introduction to Bio- statistics” (3^rd edition) New Delhi.

Received on 08.04.2022 Modified on 02.05.2022

Int. J. Nur. Edu. and Research. 2022; 10(3):216-219.

DOI: 10.52711/2454-2660.2022.00050