COVID-19 Infection – Awareness and Practices of Cancer Patients and Their Attendants: An Experience from Pakistan

Abstract

Introduction: Cancer patients are prone to infections, including COVID-19 because they are immune-comprised secondary to cancer itself as well as due to their treatment. As a principal health care provider, it is imperative that their awareness and practices should be assessed and rectified in a timely manner. Methodology & Results: This is a cross sectional and prospective study, performed in the Oncology OPD of SIUT, Pakistan. Total 306 participants were included. Average percentage of awareness was 39.4% vs 36.6% were found to be low, but patient (72.7%) showed more careful behaviour then their care taker (61.5%). In query related to use of face mask every time while being outside the house, 14.4% vs 23.8% did not practice it. For hand hygiene, 93.4% vs 49.1% were following these measures. Reasons for not following these precautions were: i) lack of information, 63% vs 37% ii) this virus is not lethal, 37% vs 63%. Conclusion: Awareness and practical implementation of knowledge is not according to international guidelines and there is a dire need to have a proper awareness campaign for the masses to improve the acceptability of Corona virus as a major health risk concern.