Self-Reported Compliance with Personal Preventive Measures among Office Workers After Work Resumption during the COVID-19 Outbreak in Pakistan

Abstract

As the lockdowns have been lifted to relieve pressure on the economy, strict adherence to personal preventive measures (PPMs) in offices is essential to control the COVID-19 pandemic. This study investigated self-reported compliance with three PPMs among a sample of office workers in Karachi, Pakistan. A cross-sectional survey with participants were adult office workers who had resumed work in Karachi, Pakistan. All full-time employees aged ≥ 18 years who had resumed work in the offices were invited to complete the survey. Of 487 workers who were invited, 411 (84.4%) completed the survey between March 1 and March 20, 2021. We examined the effects of sociodemographic factors, individual-level factors, interpersonal-level factors, and social-structural–level factors using logistic regression models. Of the total sample, 192 (46.7%) reported always wearing a face mask in the workplace. Self-reported sanitizing of hands (46.0%) was comparable to use of face masks, whereas avoiding crowded places (21.2%) was less common. Perceived effectiveness of individual preventive measures (adjusted odds ratios [AORs] from 1.19 to 1.42; confidence intervals (CIs) 1.04–1.37 to CI 1.18–1.71), perceived effectiveness of governmental preventive measures (AORs from 1.23 to 1.39 CI 1.02–1.47 to CI 1.12–1.72), and number of preventive measures implemented by the office (AORs from 1.20 to 1.26 CI 1.09–1.31 to CI 1.13–1.39) were associated with self-reported compliance with PPMs. Perceived preparedness of medical system in Karachi (AOR 1.44, CI 1.08–1.93) was only associated with self-reported sanitizing of hands. Reduced compliance to PPMs was observed; hence, efforts need to be made to ensure strict adherence to PPMs.

Level of Compliance and Predictors with Personal COVID-19-preventive measures Among Office Government Employees Returning to work in the post-epidemic period in Western Ethiopia: A Multicenter Cross-sectional Study

“…The result of our study was lower than other studies done in Ethiopia (49%) and other regions of the world, such as Nepal (37.1 %), China (53.7% ) [40] and (96.8%) [25], Vietnam(75.8%) [41], Japan (90%) [42], Pakistan (46.7%) [43] and Iran (71%) [44]. On the other hand, the current report was higher than a study nding in Thailand (17%) [45].…”

Level of Compliance and Predictors with Personal COVID-19-preventive measures Among Office Government Employees Returning to work in the post-epidemic period in Western Ethiopia: A Multicenter Cross-sectional Study

“…The result of our study was lower than other studies done in Ethiopia (49%) and other regions of the world, such as Nepal (37.1 %), China (53.7%)[40] and (96.8%)[25], Vietnam(75.8%)[41], Japan (90%)[42], Pakistan (46.7%)[43] and Iran (71%) [44]. On the other hand, the current report was higher than a study finding in Thailand (17%)[45].…”

“…Japan (90%) [42], Pakistan (46.7%) [43] and Iran (71%) [44]. On the other hand, the current report was higher than a study finding in Thailand (17%) [45].…”

Compliance level toward COVID-19 preventive measures and associated factors among the Ambo University community, 2021

“…As a result, the advertisements were successful in boosting public knowledge about the effectiveness of preventive measures in reducing COVID-19. Subsequently, greater resources for such efforts should be allocated ( 42 ). Furthermore, the other study found that good preventive practices were substantially linked to high COVID-19 preventative measure compliance ( 37 ).…”