Public Health and Social Measures in the Context of COVID-19 – An Online Study of Households in Kolkata and Nearby Districts of West Bengal

COVID-19, the disease and ‘‘lockdown’’, the preventive measure, can be termed as major watershed of our times as never before in human history human lives and activities have been halted to such a huge level as combat measure against any disease. Under this unprecedented situation, an online survey was conceptualised to see the situation of students’ households during lock down period.Objective: On the basis of that data, feasibility of adherence regarding public health aspects (like washing hands, physical distances, and restricted movement outside house) are discussed through this study. Moreover, the awareness, capability and feasibility of households to abide by the prescribed norms are numerically measured through related social variable and logical insight.Method: Though this cross sectional survey data collected during May 15 to May 31st 2020, three separate indices regarding three major points of guideline e.g. Frequent hand washing, keeping physical distance and staying inside home are devised and finally a composite normalised index is created to judge the overall status of the households.Results: This composite index is robust and sensitive enough. It is found to related with the level of living of the households, household size and some other social parameters.Conclusion: Respondent households being mostly from Kolkata nearby areas (Howrah, Hooghly, 24 PGS (N) &(S)) of Hindu, General and largely (two-thirds) belonging to 'lower-middle class' (family income per month 15000 or less) can be very well assumed as a representative sample of whole west Bengal. With the help of this composite index we may identify the status of any household in the spectrum of plausibility to adhere the guidelines and public health educative measures can be taken for those households in the long run.