Life style changes during lockdown period of COVID 19 outbreaks in Tamil Nadu, India: A web-based survey

Abstract

India has been affected by novel coronavirus disease (COVID 19) since January 2020. It was declared as a pandemic outbreak and a nationwide lockdown was implemented to reduce the transmission of infection. As a lack of effective treatment method or vaccine development against the disease, social distancing and home confinement was considered to be the only solution. The COVID 19 has a dangerous effect on the quality of life of the public. The aim of the present study was to assess the lifestyle changes among the public in Tamil Nadu during the outbreak. This web-based survey was initiated to assess and compare the lifestyle changes during the lockdown period of COVID 19 outbreak in Tamil Nadu. By July 10, 2020, a total of 236 participants submitted the responses and the collected data were included for the analysis. The study contained a planned questionnaire that finds out demographic, dietary habits information, screen exposure, sleep time, and lifestyle habits information through an online survey. The present study findings suggest that significant influences of COVID 19 pandemic lockdown on the majority of employed individuals with a history of no comorbidity by decreasing physical activity (60.16%), increase in screen time (52.9%) and sleep per day (43.2%), decrease consumption of vegetables (36.4%) and variation in fruits and meat consumption. This study elicits the importance of various factors to be considered before the commencement and policy about the lockdown and its durations. These findings need to be further confirmed with studies of larger population size to gain higher insight towards healthy lockdown against COVID 19 pandemic.