Awareness of Rickshaw Pullers About COVID-19 Prevention in Dhaka City

Fabia Hannan Mone , Mohsina Ahmed Keya, Al Modina Akter, Tamanna Sultana Tania, Mst. Parvin Akhter, Subodh Chandra Barman, Lipika Sarker, Ponkoj Roy, Shahana Nasrin

University of Dhaka, University of Westminster

This study examines the level of knowledge and awareness of COVID-19 among rickshaw pullers in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Employing a qualitative research design, data were collected through in-depth interviews with 30 Male rickshaw pullers aged 20 to 65 years. The study investigated participants' understanding of the disease, their day-to-day practices, and the broader impact of the pandemic on their livelihoods. The findings reveal a strikingly low level of COVID-19 awareness, accompanied by widespread misconceptions. Notably, none of the participants initially recognized the term "COVID-19"; recognition only occurred when the disease was referred to as "coronavirus." Rather than perceiving COVID-19 primarily as a public health threat, participants held divergent beliefs-some attributed it to divine punishment, while others associated it with political agendas or state-imposed control through lockdown measures. Approximately 95% of respondents demonstrated little to no understanding of transmission routes or disease severity. Economic anxieties-particularly concerning loss of income and food insecurity-consistently took precedence over fear of infection, which in turn contributed to limited adherence to and comprehension of recommended preventive measures. These findings underscore the urgent need for context-sensitive health communication strategies tailored to the realities of economically vulnerable occupational groups such as rickshaw pullers. Community-based awareness initiatives are recommended as a practical and effective means of improving health literacy and strengthening protective behaviors within such populations.

Article link: https://www.asianinstituteofresearch.org/JHMSarchives/awareness-of-rickshaw-pullers-about-covid-19-prevention-in-dhaka-city-