Health Disaster Resilience: Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Caraga Constituents towards COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

This study describes the health disaster resilience of the Caraga residents towards the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, the objectives of this study are to: describe the respondents' profile, identify the state of well-being, anxiety, knowledge, attitude and practices of Caraga constituents toward COVID19; determine the association of state of well-being, anxiety, knowledge, attitudes, and practices across sex and age groups; identify the COVID-19 related issues and concerns affecting the household and community; and develop appropriate strategic recommendations for action and policy formulation toward effective prevention of the spread, control, and treatment
of the infection.

Triangulation method was used in this study. There are 425 respondents, comprising of 375 survey respondents and 50 key informant interviews from selected city/municipality of Caraga Administrative Region or Region XIII. The data are gathered from June 28, 2020 to August 12, 2020.

In general, Caraga respondents are in a state of well-being, as they did not report any impending anxiety. Results imply that they became resilient to the impact of the pandemic, despite some unhappiness, daily work suffering, and other nuisances. Through social media platforms, they engage in positive activities that contribute to their resilience and coping with the situation.

Caraga respondents show high level of knowledge, positive attitudes, and good practices with the pandemic. Majority of the respondents follow the health protocols except for those who still go to crowded places. To some extent, there is association of state of well-being, anxiety, knowledge, attitudes, and practices with age and sex.

In terms of the issues and concerns of the household and community, the topmost pressing concerns are community lockdown, physical or social distancing, home quarantine, availment of cash assistance and relief goods, and activities during quarantine for the young, middle aged, and the elderly. Strategic recommendations for action and policy formulation are forwarded based on the findings of the study.