Factors Associated With Community Awareness On COVID-19 in A Developing Country: Implications For Optimal Risk Communication

Patients with COVID-19 might suffer a variety of respiratory tract infections from mild cold to severe respiratory distress syndrome.^1,9 Therefore, the cornerstones of disease containment are early diagnosis, effective treatment, and preventive measures.¹⁰ COVID-19 vaccines were expected to put an end to the current pandemic situation with the efforts of scientists and pharmacy manufacturers for 12 billion vaccine doses in 2021, but vaccine inequality occurred with most of the available vaccines being sent to rich countries - as of 7 May 2021.^11,12 Furthermore, hesitancy and resistance issues in COVID-19 vaccination provide significant setbacks in reaching community immunity.¹³ Simultaneously, the appearance of COVID-19 variants posed new, challenging threats for all nations. There had been a calculated possibility that new variants could escape the immune response of the human body, and thus reduce the current vaccine effectiveness.¹⁴ Therefore, traditional practices such as social distancing, contact tracing, wearing face-mask, handwashing, closing educational institutions, and prioritizing digital solutions had once again become key protective measures against the transmission of COVID-19, while proactive communication of COVID-19 risks may improve public awareness and preventive preparedness.^15–18