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

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.