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BACKGROUND Hans Christian Gram, a Danish pathologist originally devised the Gram staining method in 1882 for identification of Gram positive and Gram-negative bacteria and is the gold standard method for preliminary detection before inoculating for culture and sensitivity for better treatment outcome. In the present era, use of irrational antimicrobials has led to antimicrobial resistance which can be resolved by routine usage of Gram stain. METHODS This is a cross sectional study of 2 months duration (May 2020 - June 2020) with 172 subjects. Institutional ethical clearance and pharmaco-vigilance program of India permission was obtained. All interns and post-graduates who were available at the time of interview, and who gave written informed consent were included in the study. Those who did not give written informed consent and those who were absent or unavailable were excluded. Pre tested questionnaire was validated using Cronbach’s alpha for internal consistency and was filled voluntarily. Data was collected, compiled and analysed for results. RESULTS Among 172 subjects who participated in the study, 99 (57 %) are females and 73 (43 %) are males. 88 (51 %) are post-graduates and 84 (49 %) are interns. 100 % had knowledge about Gram stain, 47 (27 %) participants knew about procedure timing as 5 minutes for Gram staining and 26 (15 %) participants thought that test can be done at bedside. 90 (52 %) knew that test can be done for all specimens. 169 (98 %) had knowledge on the Gram stain which could help for provisional diagnosis. 119 (69 %) agreed that test was very cost effective. 28 (16 %) agreed that Gram stain was a better test for provisional diagnosis. 63 (36.6 %) were practicing regularly and 10 (6 %) were practicing Gram stain for appropriate antimicrobial use. CONCLUSIONS The present study concluded 100 % of the study participants had knowledge with regard to Gram staining, 27 % knew that the time taken was 5 minutes to perform test. 15 % knew that it can be done at bedside. 63 (36.6 %) were practicing regularly and 10 (6 %) were practicing as initial step for all clinical confirmations for appropriate antimicrobial treatment for better outcome. KEYWORDS Gram Stain, Preliminary Test, Antimicrobial Stewardship, Evidence Based Medicine, Better Clinical Approach

BACKGROUND Present pandemic COVID-19 outbreak in China is spreading globally. WHO confirmed 8.126 million cases and deaths were 445K globally. India recorded 377974 confirmed cases and 14240 deaths and Andhra Pradesh 7071 confirmed cases and 90 deaths, with a mortality of 3.3 % according to sources of health ministry and from updates 18th June 2020 news bulletin. METHODS This is a prospective cross sectional observational, study conducted in Nandyal, Andhra Pradesh. 1734 participants (384 general population, 250 doctors, 450 nurses, 550 class IV staff, 50 pharmacists and 50 police personnel) were included and modified predesigned WHO Questionnaire was used to collect the data. 1350 participants frontline healthcare personnel, pharmacists and police were enrolled for hydroxychloroquine prophylaxis; 384 participants used preventive measures like masks, social distancing, hand washing, staying at home, and usage of Aarogya Setu App. The collected data was analysed using SPSS version-22 software. Results were tabulated for demographic details, knowledge, attitude, practice analysis and statistical analysis. RESULTS 39.6 % had knowledge, 68 % had attitude to adopt measures and 72.7 % were following preventive measures and 3.1 % were using Aarogya Setu App to protect themselves from COVID-19. 1350 participants were HCQ prophylaxis for 7 weeks; in these participants, pre- and post-tests were done and were found to be negative for corona infection; 1.6 % had mild ADRs. In order to prevent the spread of COVID-19, 100 % awareness among the community is required. CONCLUSIONS Though general population had 39.6 % knowledge on preventive measures for corona, 72.7 % were following them. On the other hand, frontline healthcare professionals and workers who were on hydroxychloroquine prophylaxis were found to be negative for corona infection. KEYWORDS COVID-19, Face Masks, Hand Washing, Social Distancing, Aarogya Setu App, HCQ Prophylaxis