Knowledge, behavior, and effect of health messaging during the first Indian lockdown for COVID-19

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was declared a global pandemic in March 2020, affecting certain health measures. Precautionary hygiene measures of hand washing, mask-wearing, and social distancing were advocated and disseminated to the public through different government machinery.

The current study explored if government messaging had an impact on the knowledge of COVID-19 and the necessary precautionary behaviors in three groups: persons with past suicide attempts (PSA), persons with schizophrenia (SZ), and the general population during the first lockdown (March to May 2020).

A cross-sectional 22-item questionnaire was designed to assess "precautionary knowledge," "precautionary behaviors," "living circumstances," and "tobacco and alcohol consumption" before and during the first Indian lockdown. PSA and SZ were contacted telephonically, while for the general population, the survey was adapted into Google Forms and circulated as a WhatsApp link. Inclusion criteria were both genders, 18-65 years, and Indians residing in India.

No differences among PSA, SZ, and the general population were reported in the knowledge for the lockdown and behavior for "hand washing," "mask-wearing," and "frequency of going outdoors." Almost 15% of the general population moved back home during the lockdown. A significantly higher frequency of alcohol consumption was reported by the general population both before and during the lockdown compared with PSA and SZ.

Appropriate COVID-19 knowledge and behavior were seen in PSA, SZ, and the general population. Thus, government-mandated behaviors for COVID-19 were adhered to by all three groups. The study demonstrates the effectiveness of the government's health messaging among people with severe mental illnesses in times of a novel worldwide health crisis.