Life style changes in above 50 years old patients presenting in Urology Department during COVID 19 pandemic - a multicenter survey.

Abstract

Objective: In the current pandemic of COVID-19 the health care workers are working with social scientist to assist the government policy makers to slow the spread of this disease. These studies are focusing on different social aspects of the disease. A few studies are conducted on the behavior changes in community in response to this pandemic. Study Design: Cross Sectional Survey. Setting: Urology Outpatients Department of Four Hospitals. Period: May 2020. Material & Methods: YouGov behavior change Performa was used for the survey with a 4 points scale from "Not at all" to "Drastic Change". Results: Total 285 patients were included in this study. Among these 191 patients were male while 94 were female. The age range was 50-68 years. Among 285 patients 159 an education level above primary. Among these 285 patients 234 patients (82.1%) belong to urban area while 51 patients (17.9%) belongs to rural area. Regarding change in behavior, 168 patients responded that there is no change, 56 showed a little change, 32 showed significant change and 28 showed drastic change in the habit of hand washing. In change in travel habit 128 mentioned not at all, 84 said a little change, 53 showed significant change and 20 said drastic change. In work from home 120 mentioned not at all, 88 said a little change, 57 showed significant change and 20 said drastic change. In piling of food and medicine 164 mentioned not at all, 96 said a little change and 25 showed significant change while there was no drastic change. In elderly and child care160 mentioned not at all, 68 said a little change and 57 showed significant change while there was no drastic change. In social distancing 160 mentioned not at all, 72 said a little change, 24 showed significant change and 29 said drastic change. In use of face mask 124 mentioned not at all, 132 said a little change, 24 showed significant change and 05 said drastic change. Conclusion: As there is no vaccine for this disease and treatment plans are also under trial so the role of preventive measures increases. The most important preventive measures are wearing of face masks, social distancing and avoidance of unnecessary traveling. As, at present, we can only decrease the spread of disease by adopting preventive measures.