Knowledge in the Esmeraldeña population about COVID 19: an exploratory investigation

Abstract

Introduction: With the appearance of the new variant of the COVID 19 family, SARS – CoV - 2, the world faced an unknown virus without suspecting the challenge that it would represent.
This study was carried out in Ecuador in January 2022, in the province of Esmeraldas belonging to the coastal or coastal region.
Objective: To explore the knowledge, attitudes and practices of the population of the city of Esmeraldas in the face of the covid-19 pandemic during the beginning of the year 2022.
Methodology: The present work is an exploratory research of a quantitative and descriptive nature. A CAP survey was applied to a group of people living in the city of Esmeraldas. For its effect, a questionnaire was designed with closed questions about the variables of interest. In addition, sociodemographic data were collected. For the calculation of the sample value, the simple random sampling formula was used. But it was decided to increase the value of the sample obtained in order to avoid possible losses due to incomplete data. In total, 336 surveys were conducted.
Results: Of the population surveyed, in the city of Esmeraldas, 42.3% believe that they have not been infected with the COVID 19 virus in the last year. This group did not receive any type of treatment. 72.6% of the sample studied are aware of the symptoms of COVID 19. Regarding the preventive measures indicated by the WHO, 71.7% use a mask and buy them weekly. 31.8% refer to using alcohol or antibacterial gel when leaving home.
Conclusions: Two out of three inhabitants of the city of Esmeraldas know the symptoms of COVID 19, and have adopted preventive measures such as the use of antibacterial alcohol and, to a greater extent, the use of a mask. There is progress in the immunization of this population (86.6%), pending coverage with the third dose of the vaccine.