Health Literacy and Risk Perception towards COVID-19 among the Raji and Majhi People of Surkhet

Abstract

The main objectives of this study are as follow; to explore the level of health literacy among the Raji and Majhi people. To examine the situation of risk perception and protective behavior of respondents regarding COVID-19. To determine association between health literacy levels, risk perception and protective behavior of the respondents. This study was based on sequential explanatory research design. The data collection tools of this study are interview schedule, likert scale and in-depth interview. . In the first phase of study I had got quantitative data and interpreted and analyzed it. And in the second phase I had got qualitative data and interpreted and analyzed it. There are more respondents in this community who have studied at the basic levels (28.9%) while agriculture (60.20%) is main occupation hare. Total of the people in this community is Hindu. The numbers of people returning from abroad or India after the COVID pandemic are also significant. Corona is an infectious disease, there are 89% of people who believe that I can die from this disease and that people with low immunity and children can infected with this diseases. Turmeric, Timur, Gurjo, Kurila, Jamuna, Garlic, fish shop were found to be used. Some people from the Raji community were found tying/using “BUTI” on the throat to escape from Corona virus. According to them, it is believed that the “Tantric”/ vaidic power in “BUTI” save from COVID. Knowledge transfer from the younger generation to elder generation, about washing hand with soap and water, maintaining physical/Social distance, going to hospital while sick , and use of Ayurveda ,“Tantric” knowledge, using ashes for hand washing and use herbs like “Ritha” was passed on from the older generation to the new generation. Radio, teacher and social activist were found to be the main source of information on health education. Some Raji people agree that they don’t affect from COVOD. The health literacy of these communities is not strong. Due to which, risk perception and protecting behavior has also become weak. To increase the health literacy of those communities, local government needs to run health literacy related programs.