Knowledge towards COVID-19 among healthcare students in the central region of Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional observational study

Abstract

Study PurposeCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious illness of high public concern. Healthcare students are directly or indirectly exposed to this disease. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge of healthcare students in the central region of Saudi Arabia.Study DesignA cross-sectional survey was planned to collect information from healthcare students living in the central region of Saudi Arabia. A questionnaire was formulated to evaluate the healthcare student’s knowledge towards COVID-19 pandemic. The collected data were analysed by using frequencies of correct knowledge answers.ResultsA total of 612 students were analysed for the study. The overall knowledge score of healthcare students was 65.7%. The regression analysis showed a significant association between academic year and knowledge score p<0.001.ConclusionsOur analysis demonstrates satisfactory student’s knowledge but lacks awareness about background and mode of transmission of this disease; therefore, there is a strong need for further education and training programmes.

Awareness of COVID-19 among the General Population of the Northern Border Region of Saudi Arabia

“…These findings were consistent with the earlier published data on COVID-19 [13][14][15][16][17][18][19] in Saudi Arabia. The earlier publications [13][14][15][16][17][18][19] have mentioned the leading indicators of COVID-19 (fever, shortness of breath, cough, etc. ); its incubation period (2-14 days); the risk of COVID-19 in patients with associated diseases (hypertension, diabetes, and cancer, etc.…”

“…These articles have also stated that presently, there no active cure for COVID-19. The data of Table 2 and Table 3 is also in concurrence with the earlier studies [13][14][15][16][17][18][19], which discuss the initiation, spread, symptoms, & complications of COVID-19 in different populations. They also highlight the preventive measures to be followed, government strategic plans, and the importance of public education about the COVID-19.…”

“…Some studies related to the assessment of awareness among the Saudi population have been published [13][14][15][16][17][18][19]. The author believes that there exists no study that specifically assessed the level of awareness among the people of the NBRSA about the COVID-19.…”

Characteristics of First Cases of Coronavirus Disease 2019 and the Effort to Prevent the Early Spread of COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia

“…3,[8][9][10][11][12][13] In our analysis of these early cases, we detected COVID-19 transmission in two broad perspectives: random cases among travelers from Iran and, to lesser extent, Iraq or from Egypt, and patients who were infected due to subsequent local contact and transmission. 3,[8][9][10][11][12][13] People coming back from epidemic areas were less likely to look for healthcare or to be tested when symptomatic; however delays in identifying the asymptomatic index cases of some travelers meant that locally acquired cases took longer to be detected and isolated when compared with symptomatic cases, which were more likely to be easier and faster to detect and isolate. 14 Identifying index cases is a very important step in preventing and minimizing the subsequent infection transmission.…”

“…4 Stopped all exports of coronavirus detection and prevention products 9 March 2, 2020 1 3 89,075 1 male 1 Saudi Travel through Iran/Bahrain Advised to postpone non-essential travel to Germany and France 10 March 3, 2020 90,948 Red Sea film festival postponed 11 March 4, 2020 1 3 93,161 1 male 1 Saudi Travel through Iran/Bahrain Banned to perform Umrah or visit the Prophet’s Mosque 4 March 5, 2020 3 3 95,421 2 males 1 female 3 Saudi 2 Travel through Iran/Bahrain 1 contact Reopened the two holy mosques after sterilization; 12 temporary closure of the Great Mosque for sterilization purposes; 12 Riyadh International book fair, postponed; 7 Saudi Arabian Int’l Festival for Arab Horse postponed 7 March 6, 2020 98,385 Citizens who had traveled to Iran had to declare by end of day March 7, or else face legal action 13 March 7, 2020 2 3 102,179 2 females 2 Saudi 1 Travel through Iran/Bahrain 1 Travel through Iraq/UAE The land crossing with the UAE, Kuwait and Bahrain limited to commercial trucks only. 13 …”