Public and healthcare providers awareness of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Qassim Region, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background The rapid and extensive spread of the COVID-19 pandemic has become a major cause of concern for both general public and healthcare profession. Objective The aim of this study is to analyze and evaluate the awareness of both the general public and healthcare providers in Qassim region in Saudi Arabia. Method A cross-sectional study was conducted randomly in different shopping malls in Qassim region from 10th of February to 10th of March 2020. All participants have answered the designed questionnaire. The structured questionnaire recorded demographics and awareness of both public participants as well as health care providers. Result A total of 130 participants have answered the designed questionnaire, out of which 67participants were males (58.5%) and 54 were females (41.5%). Overall, 129 (99%) out of the 130 participants are aware of COVID-19, and 116 (90%) have recognize it as a respiratory disease and 100% of the participants have recognized it as a contagious disease. Around 94% of the participants were able to recognize the correct incubation period of the virus. Participants of the age group 20–40 showed higher awareness level than other age groups (P value = 0.005). In addition, government employees showed higher awareness level than other profession groups (P = 0.039). Results showed significant positive correlation between the recognition of high-risk groups, reliable source of information, infection symptoms, disease prevention and available treatments . Conclusion General public and health care professionals from Qassim Region showed adequate awareness of COVID-19. However, there is a strong need to implement periodic educational interventions and training programs on infection control practices for COVID-19 across all healthcare professions.

COVID-19 and Saudi Arabia: Awareness, Attitude, and Practice

“…26 Taken together, increasing the accessibility to materials provided by health care authorities, intensive training programs for all categories of the healthcare workers, rigorous attentive protocols, and a commitment to change behavior/practice, will significantly benefit the spread of the outbreaks. 24,31,32,37,[40][41][42][43][44][45]47,48,60,78,84,131 Mushi et al suggested that "risk communication as an effective strategy to improve the attitude and practice of HCWs towards COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia". 89 Measures to enhance protection for HCPs and minimize psychological consequences/potential social stigmatization should be recognized in the planning stage before any pandemic.…”

“…Awareness campaigns are recommended to improve any misbeliefs and/or risky behaviors. Al-Rasheedi/Jan 2021 43 Public and healthcare providers awareness of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Qassim Region, Saudi Arabia 130 participants from shopping malls In-person using a structured questionnaire General public/HCPs from Qassim Region showed adequate awareness of COVID-19. Implementing periodic educational interventions and training programs on infection control practices for COVID-19 across all healthcare professions is highly recommended.…”

Assessment of health awareness and knowledge toward SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 vaccines among residents of Makkah, Saudi Arabia

“…This high level of awareness reflects the success of the health campaigns led by the MOH, which used several approaches to reach people, including social platforms, daily updated statistics, health apps and educational webpages. Participants in this study show better awareness about COVID-19 compared to those analyzed in other studies, including in Riyadh, 21 Qassim 32 and other Saudi cities. 33 …”

Coronavirus Pandemic: An Update on the Transmission, Diagnosis, Clinical Features and Managment

“…Furthermore, Tawakkalna, a mobile application, was developed by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of the Interior, to allow people to meet their needs and plan their journeys during the curfew period. [37]…”