AWARENESS REGARDING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND YOGA DURING COVID-19, CHALLENGES FACED, AND PREVENTIVE STRATEGIES AGAINST COVID-19: AN E-SURVEY AMONG RURAL POPULATION

A.K. Srivastav1, N. Sharma2, M. Goyal3, S. Khadayat4, A.J. Samuel2
1Maharishi Markandeshwar Institute of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Maharishi Markandeshwar (Deemed to be University), Neurological Physiotherapy, Ambala, India, 2Maharishi Markandeshwar Institute of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Maharishi Markandeshwar (Deemed to be University), Pediatrics and Neonatal Physiotherapy, Ambala, India, 3Maharishi Markandeshwar Institute of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Maharishi Markandeshwar (Deemed to be University), Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy, Ambala, India, 4Maharishi Markandeshwar Medical College And Hospital, Maharishi Markandeshwar University, Physiotherapy, Solan, India

Background: Physical activity and yoga play a vital role in breaking the boredom due to COVID-19 lockdown and thereby, improving the quality of life. This E-survey helps in identifying the level of awareness and challenges faced by the people of rural communities due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Purpose: To find out the level of awareness regarding physical activity and yoga, challenges, and various strategies planned by the rural population of India to combat with COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: A total of 36 participants were recruited by a convenient sampling method from five different villages in District, Ambala, India. E-survey questionnaires prepared using Google Forms were circulated through WhatsApp messaging mobile-based application. A self-designed questionnaire based on three domains awareness, challenges, and strategies planned to combat with COVID-19. Experts in this field performed the content validation of the questionnaires using Item-CVI (I-CVI) and Scale-level CVI (S-CVI). The questionnaire validation was carried out by the Delphi survey method until S-CVI/Ave > 0.8. The questionnaires were then, converted into the bilingual language using the following stages, initial translation, synthesis of translation, back translation, expert committee evaluation, a test of pre-final version, and submission of documentation to the coordinating committee for the adaptation process. The final questionnaire consists of 12 items in 3 domains, with four items in each domain, rated on a 3-point Likert scale. Questions related to physical activity/ yoga awareness, challenges, and strategies against COVID-19 spread were added to the drafted questionnaire. Response rate (RR) of the survey was calculated using the formulae, RR = [(No. of survey participants responded ÷ total no. of potential survey participants contacted) × 100]. The central tendency and dispersion of continuous variable age were expressed in mean with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Categorical data were reported in frequencies as a percentage (%) and sample size (n). For all the analyses, the levels of significance were set at 0.05 to minimize Type 1 error.

Results: The content validity index of the questionnaire, S-CVI/Ave = 0.90. By contacting 36 potential participants, a total of 27 survey responses were recorded. Hence, the response rate (RR) is found to be 75%. The mean with 95% CI of age was 30.8 (27.3 to 34.3) years. A total of 94% (n=25) of villagers were aware of COVID-19, 88% (n=24) were facing challenges, and 86% (n=23) of participants are adopting the best strategies such as physical activity and yoga to combat COVID-19.

Conclusion(s): The results of this study revealed that rural populations are aware of COVID-19 and having adequate knowledge about COVID-19. They were facing challenges due to COVID-19 and prepared with the best strategies/methods to combat COVID-19.

Implications: People who reside in villages are ready to face challenges with home-based preventive strategies such as physical activity and yoga against COVID-19. Adapting physical activity/ yoga strategies against COVID-19 reduces the risk of depression, and improves overall well-being. To maintain a healthy lifestyle, Physical activity/ yoga is best suited for this COVID-19 lockdown period. Regular physical activity/ yoga benefits both physical health and mental health.

Funding, acknowledgements: None

Keywords: Awareness, COVID-19, Questionnaire

Topic: COVID-19

Did this work require ethics approval? Yes
Institution: Maharishi Markandeshwar Institute of physiotherapy and Rehabilitation
Committee: Maharishi Markandeshwar Institute of Medical Sciences and Research
Ethics number: MMDU/IEC/142-E


All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.

Back to the listing