Table 4 Outcomes of the activities carried out over five months

1st month

Understood that the virus can spread by exchanging food, money and other materials between households

Started practicing safety precautions (Hand washing, over 1 m distance, wearing masks, prepared a separate place at home to wash hands)

All families prepared and used a bowl for money transactions with vendors

People in 6 GN divisions designed and pasted posters in three village shops where cigarettes were sold (in 19 shops)

Took collective actions to prevent smoking and selling cigarettes

‘We discussed with three shops in the village. As a result, vendors stopped selling cigarettes. Some men bought cigarettes from two other shops at nearby villages. We talked to those two shops. They too stopped selling cigarettes’ (CM 03)

Started practicing safety precautions

‘washed hands when returning home after going out,

cleaned the tap after washing hands,

placed their helmets and other goods outside/under bright sunlight’ (CM 04)

2nd month

Implemented the corona calendar

Took actions to close alcohol bars

Identified a place to establish a ‘community quarantine centre’ with guidance and support from area MOH

Identified the risk of COVID-19 spread through exchanging money. Took action to prevent the risk

3rd month

Continued marking the corona calendar

Continued other HP activities they had initiated previously (e.g. NCD prevention, reducing alcohol consumption, improving child nutrition and happiness) during this lockdown period

Families adhered to safety precautions

Started home gardening of vegetables and shared the harvest among neighbours

‘We hanged the vegetable packs at the fence so that neighbours could collect those.’ (P 03)

2 families were under self-quarantine

Discussed how to help them without spreading the infection

4th month

Implemented the well-being calendar

CM analysed the outcomes using simple statistical methods

‘67 Corona Calendars had been marked and according to analysis, 44 (65.7%) families were at lower risk, 20 (29.9%) families were at moderate risk and 03 (4.5%) families were at higher risk’. (CM 02, Diary notes)

Some started growing vegetables in their home gardens

Children involved in risk assessment; marking ‘Corona calendar’ and monitoring the adherence to safety precautions

‘Children observed and notified those who didn’t wear masks in public places. They complained when family members were going out without a mask.’ (CM 03)

Arranged a bowl of water and soap in front of houses for hand washing

Village women sewed masks and distributed them among villagers free of charge

Actions for smoking cessation

5th month

Children in all families actively engaged in marking the ‘calendars’

Modified the ‘Corona Calendar’

Continued all activities initiated in previous months

Kept records of how much money they could save as a result of improved health and adherence to safety precautions (e.g. By limiting visits to shops and doctors)