Community Actions and Insights in the Battle against COVID-19 at the Start of the Pandemic: A District Study Observation from Medan, Indonesia

Abstract

Background: As of 17 June 2020, the WHO confirmed 8,061,550 COVID-19 cases globally, with Indonesia reporting 40,400 cases and North Sumatra over 932 cases. The rising infection rates have led to increased deaths, highlighting the urgency for public understanding of virus transmission. Despite information dissemination efforts, North Sumatra has not seen a reduction in cases, emphasizing the need for a unified approach to combat the pandemic. Objective: This study aims to investigate the relationship between public perception and practices regarding COVID-19 prevention in Medan, North Sumatra. Methods: A cross-sectional study will be conducted using a combined questionnaire from two previous studies conducted at the start of the pandemic. Results: Among 200 participants, social media was the favored source for prevention information. Participants exhibited above-average knowledge (67.5%) but predominantly below-average attitudes toward prevention (64.5%). However, most residents practiced correct prevention measures (75.5%). Conclusions: Despite possessing adequate knowledge, negative attitudes toward prevention suggest a need for educational interventions to address misconceptions and promote positive behaviors. Such interventions could enhance the community’s response to COVID-19 transmission during the pandemic.