Incorrect Use of Protective Equipment against COVID-19 can cause more Inconvenience, a Questionnaire-Based Study of 7000 Participants

AIMS: At present, there is no definitive treatment for COVID-19 and to break the pandemic chain, prevention is the best choice. Meanwhile different controlling strategies are considered, in this study, we aimed to understand public insights toward the medical advisement. MATERIAL: A self-constructed questionnaire including information regarding various preventive elements such as wearing a mask, using gloves, attention to safe social distance, using disinfectant materials was prepared. After content validity, the questionnaire was circulated in cyberspace and the public was invited to complete it. After five days, the percentage of risky behavior related behaviors to the mask (RBM), hygiene (RBH), and social distance (RBD) were analyzed and compared in different situations with tableau and SPSS 26. RESULTS: A total of 7,000 people with the mean age of 31.5 ± 12.2 years completed the questionnaire, of which 39% were men. RBM was 76.54% whereas hand hygiene and distance risky behaviors were 11.49% and 15.33%, respectively (P = 0.01). RBD was significantly higher among people with COVID-19 patients in their families. The pattern of RBH based on the level of worry about getting COVID-19 was similar in the group without worry and with the highest level of worry. CONCLUSIONS: In this ever-changing situation of the COVID-19 pandemic, community awareness, and logical perception regarding correct use and has a crucial role in optimal COVID-19 controlling, which should not be neglected. It is important to have the latest information, which comes from trustworthy sources as a preventive key in both healthcare and community settings.