IMPACT OF COVID – 19 LOCKDOWN ON HEALTH STATUS DURING AND BEFORE: BASED ON A COMMUNITY PERSPECTIVE

COVID – 19 LOCKDOWN: EFFECT ON HEALTH STATUS

Abstract

Background: India poses a huge burden of Non-communicable diseases and has recognized the escalation of potential problems during the lockdown period. Community health assessment provides comprehensive information about the community’s recent health status, needs, and issues.

Methodology: This investigational concept was based on an epidemiological observational cross-sectional structured study among individuals in Kerala during the lockdown time frame. We had picked subjects arbitrarily from all age groups. The study was directed utilizing a Google form survey during May 2020 which was circulated through the web portal.

Results & Discussion: The survey recorded the participation of 716 individuals between the age of 11 and above 60 years. The majority trusted the doctors (64.24%), while others were more convenient with pharmacists (14.94%), family and friends (9.21%), and self-medication (7.40%). Participant's health status changed compared to previous conditions with the majority of participant’s weight remaining stable, and 40.78% of the participant’s weight got increased and only 12.01% of the participant’s weight got decreased during the lockdown period. More than half (52.51%) of the respondents stated that they felt nervous for a short period.

Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent social distancing, including complete isolation for some people, has caused a major change in people’s access to healthcare and daily living routines. However, as the COVID-19 pandemic is still ongoing worldwide, the data need to be confirmed and investigated in the future with more extensive population studies.