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                                                | Knowledge, Attitude and Practice towards COVID-19 pandemic among Keralites and the Barriers involved- An online web survey |  
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                                                            | Author: | , AMITHA MARY JOHN, ASHWATHI P, JOPHY MATHEW, K KRISHNAVENI, R SAMBATH KUMAR, ROHAN J. MATHEW |  
                                                            | Abstract: | Background: COVID-19 pandemic has triggered panic attacks as its deadly footprint had transmitted across the globe. Although Kerala became the first Indian state to encounter COVID-19, it had notched up the best recovery rates and low mortality rates. Objective: To investigate the level of knowledge and perception of the Keralites about COVID-19 and to explore the barriers involved to curb its transmission. Methods: A cross-sectional web-based survey was conducted in Keralites during April and May, 2020 to obtain the responses regarding the knowledge, attitude and practices towards COVID-19 based on a standardized questionnaire. Chi-Square test, Kruskal-Wallis test and Spearman's one-tailed test were employed in statistical data analysis using Graph pad prism. Results: The overall correct rate on knowledge assessment was 59.2%. Chi-Square test exhibited a noteworthy association between the different levels of knowledge and demographic characteristics (P < 0.0001). Kruskal-Wallis test analyzed the variation of different levels of knowledge with districts (P < 0.0018). High knowledge was the vital predictor for the low mortality and best recovery rate as analyzed by Spearman's one-tailed test (alpha level < 0.5, P = 0.0297). Conclusion: Exploring deeper insights and the latest updates on COVID-19 will pave for eradicating the barriers faced while managing the crisis. We concluded that the Keralites demonstrated good knowledge, optimistic attitude and safer practices towards COVID-19 and its subsequent lockdown period. |  
                                                            | Keyword: | COVID-19, pandemic, knowledge, attitude, practices, barriers |  
					| EOI: | - |  
					| DOI: | https://doi.org/10.31838/ijpr/2020.SP2.320 |  
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