COVID-19 black swan and personal protective equipment (PPE) in Pakistan
ISSN: 0965-4283
Article publication date: 18 November 2021
Issue publication date: 21 April 2022
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aimed to examine the sources of information and use of personal protective equipment (PPE) during the COVID-19 pandemic in the province of Punjab, Pakistan. The COVID-19 pandemic affected at a large level of all social institutions including the healthcare system of the countries.
Design/methodology/approach
The study was conducted in Pakistan by using an online survey technique. The rationale to opt for this method was based on the country’s lockdown situations, social distancing and the care of the respondents. A total of 847 individuals from different parts of the Punjab province participated in the study. An attitudinal scale was administered, which consisted of statements to measure (dis)agreement among the individuals on current situations of the COVID-19 pandemic. The ethical considerations and confidentiality of the respondents were opted by describing the purpose of research on the first page of the questionnaire.
Findings
The study findings revealed that peer group, signs and symptoms of COVID-19 pandemic and causes and consequences of COVID-19 pandemic had favourable positive effects on the use of PPE by individuals through the mediation of fear of infection during COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, the study findings were interpreted as per the effects of current situations of COVID-19 on the sources of information and the use of PPE by individuals.
Originality/value
This study focused on an important gap in the research on COVID-19 pandemic in the country in terms of mass media, health practitioners, peer group, fear of infection and use of PPE.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Declaration: Authors declare no potential conflict of interest for this study.
Citation
Ahmad, A., Shoaib, M. and Abdullah, F. (2022), "COVID-19 black swan and personal protective equipment (PPE) in Pakistan", Health Education, Vol. 122 No. 4, pp. 365-373. https://doi.org/10.1108/HE-06-2021-0093
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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