Assessment of Home Isolation Measures and Factors Associated with Adherence Among Patients During the Pandemic in Nepal: A CrossSectional Study

Abstract

Introduction

Housing status and behavioral practices of COVID-19 positives during home isolation are crucial to breaking the

transmission chain and rapidly managing cases during emergencies. This study aimed to assess the home isolation

status of COVID-19 patients in Nepal and determine factors associated with adherence to home isolation measures.

Methods

A telephone-based cross-sectional study was conducted from January to May 2021 to assess the home isolation

status among 362 home-isolated COVID-19 patients in Karnali Province. Patients were interviewed to collect socio

demographic characteristics, COVID-19 symptoms, comorbid conditions, and household and behavioral

characteristics. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were done to determine the association of

the use of masks, social distance, and outside visits during home isolation with socio-demographic and household

characteristics. We reported adjusted odds ratios(aOR) with 95% confidence intervals.

Results:

Of the total, 15% did not have ventilation in their isolation rooms, and only about 30% used separate toilets during

isolation. More than half of the respondents staying at home in isolation were asymptomatic. About 29% of

respondents did not maintain a two-meter distance from their family members. About 76% always wore a mask in

front of their family members and 68% never went outside the house during home isolation. Females were more

likely to stay home during the isolation period (aOR:2.42; 95%CI:1.39-4.21). Young adults were more likely to wear

masks in front of family members(aOR:0.96;95%CI:0.94-0.99). Highly educated participants were more likely to

maintain distance during isolation (aOR:1.19;95% CI:1.10-1.28).

Conclusion

State and local authorities are recommended to develop specific measures to enhance the knowledge and practice

of the participant groups likely to exhibit low adherence to home isolation measures.