Knowledge and Practice Regarding COVID-19 Transmission and Prevention among the Rural People Sylhet, Bangladesh

Background: COVID-19 poses a significant public health challenge in rural areas, where awareness and access to healthcare may be limited. Understanding local knowledge and practices is crucial for effective interventions.

Objective: To assess the knowledge and practices regarding COVID-19 transmission and prevention among the rural population of Sylhet, Bangladesh.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2021 to February 2022 among 146 residents aged ≥18 years. Convenience sampling was used, and data were collected by face-to-face interviews using a semi-structured questionnaire.

Results: The majority of respondents were female (69.87%), married (78.76%), and aged 18–29 years (41.78%), with primary or secondary education (70.54%) and homemakers (54.79%). Most lived in households with ≥5 members (66.45%), and mean monthly income was 12,192±5,500 BDT. Regarding knowledge, 82.19% correctly identified COVID-19 as communicable, and 82.10% recognized sneezing and coughing as main transmission modes. Awareness of common symptoms was high (82.19%), but knowledge of less common symptoms and symptom duration was limited. About half of respondents (48.63%) had received the COVID-19 vaccine, and most understood eligibility (89.72%). Television (69.18%) and social media (32.19%) were the main information sources. Preventive practices included home quarantine (56.85%), mask-wearing outside (92.47%), and adherence to social distancing (34.93%) and hand hygiene (33.56%). Overall, 38.4% had good knowledge and 34.2% demonstrated good preventive practices, while the majority exhibited average levels.

Conclusion: This study demonstrated that the rural population showed moderate knowledge and practices. Gaps in symptom awareness, quarantine knowledge, and consistent preventive behavior highlight the need for targeted health education programs.