Knowledge, attitudes and practices towards COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia: Planning implications for public health pandemics

Abstract

BackgroundSaudi Arabian authorities have implemented a number of preventive measures to confront COVID-19, including complete public lockdown, limitations on many services and a public awareness campaign. The success of these preventive measures is highly dependent on individuals’ compliance, which is influenced by their knowledge, attitudes and practices towards this disease. This study aims to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices towards COVID-19 among the population of Saudi Arabia.MethodsThis is a cross-sectional design study conducted between May 4 and May 21, 2020, using an online survey of 1135 participants. The survey instrument consisted of demographic characteristics, 19 items on knowledge, 4 items on attitudes and 6 items on practices. Descriptive statistics, independent sample t-test, analysis of variance, Mann–Whitney U test, Kruskal–Wallis test, standard multiple regression analysis and ordinal logistic regression analysis were conducted. ResultsThe majority of the study participants were knowledgeable about COVID-19, with an overall correct rate of 77%. Most participants were worried of contracting COVID-19 (96.3%), and they held positive attitudes towards the intent to use a vaccine for COVID-19 if it was available (81%), informing health authorities if they developed symptoms of COVID-19 (98.1%) and confidence in the government efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic (90%). Most participants were also taking precautions such as keeping social distancing (99.2%), avoiding leaving the house (98.6%) and wearing face masks in public (92.2%). Nearly all of the respondents stated that they were avoiding shaking hands (96.8%), avoiding touching their face with unwashed hands (96.7%) and washing/rubbing hands as recommended (96.6%). Male participants with higher education level and high income who had attended a health education activity were more likely to have more COVID-19 knowledge.ConclusionsThe findings of this research suggest that the Saudi population are generally knowledgeable and have good attitudes and practices regarding COVID-19. Health authorities in Saudi Arabia may benefit from the findings of this research, as the results could be used to improve planning for COVID-19-related efforts and to plan for future health crises. Such planning will help local authorities react promptly to prevent any health threats to the Saudi population and to those who visit Islamic holy places in Saudi Arabia.

What Has Changed in the Behaviors of the Public After the COVID-19 Pandemic? A Cross-Sectional Study From the Saudi Community Perspective

“…In this study, majority of the participants washed their hands using alcohol-based sanitizers. Our results were similar to those of a previous study during early stages of the pandemic by Almalki, who reported that 96.7% of the participants washed their hands as recommended by the Ministry of Health ( 30 ). However, our results were slightly better than those of a more recent study by Battineni et al, who reported that ~94% of seafarers washed their hands by rubbing at least 20 s with the use of sanitizers ( 31 ).…”

A cross-sectional study on awareness, attitude and perception of COVID 19 among the people of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

“…(15) Mohammed J. Almalki mentioned in his study which was conducted in Saudi Arabia depicted that 77% respondents answered correctly to knowledge questionnaire and thereby inferred that Saudi population have adequate knowledge, good attitude and practices towards COVID 19. (16) Secondly in Figure 4, it was evident that the overall level of awareness of disease was around 64%. The other respondents are either not sure of answer asked in knowledge questionnaire.…”

Knowledge, attitude and practices of Saudi dental hygiene students towards novel corona virus disease (COVID‐19): A nation‐wide study

“…These studies identified the general people's knowledge, attitude and practice on COVID‐19 in Saudi Arabia. 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 But to the best of authors' knowledge, no study has been reported which investigates the association of KAPs related to COVID‐19 KAPs among dental hygiene students in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Coronavirus (COVID‐19) is a new virus that has rapidly spread around the world.…”

“…Various KAP studies have been performed on the population of Saudi Arabia. These studies identified the general people's knowledge, attitude and practice on COVID‐19 in Saudi Arabia 7–10 . But to the best of authors' knowledge, no study has been reported which investigates the association of KAPs related to COVID‐19 KAPs among dental hygiene students in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.…”

“…[7][8][9][10] But to the best of authors' knowledge, no study has been reported which investigates the association of KAPs related to COVID-19 KAPs among dental hygiene students in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Coronavirus the disease.…”