Public Knowledge, Attitude, and Perception towards COVID-19 Vaccination in Saudi Arabia

Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) is a highly contagious infection that mainly affects the respiratory system of patients. To date, more than 10 million people have been affected by this virus, and Saudi Arabia has also reported over 210 million cases. At present, there is no established treatment for COVID-19. Vaccination is one of the ways to defeat the pandemic. Recent reports have indicated rare but serious adverse events after vaccination, causing an anxious response from the general public worldwide. Therefore, this study was aimed at evaluating the knowledge, attitude, and perception of the COVID-19 vaccine among the Saudi population. This study is a cross-sectional, web-based online survey conducted using a snowball sampling technique. A self-administered questionnaire prepared in Arabic and English was used to collect feedback from the general population on their knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions about the COVID-19 vaccine. Participants (n = 2022) from different regions of the country replied to the questions. The responses to the questions were recorded on a spreadsheet and analyzed using the SPSS software. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA and non-parametric tests to draw conclusions about the results. Multivariate stepwise regression analysis was performed to determine the association between the knowledge, attitude, and perception scores and the demographic variables. p < 0.05 was used to indicate the significance of the data. The data from the study indicated that most of the participants were males (81%), between 18 and 59 years of age (85.9%), Saudi nationals (98.3%), and possessed graduation or above as a qualification (62.9%). The results suggest that a major portion of respondents have satisfactory knowledge (76%), a positive attitude (72.4%), and perception (71.3%) towards the use of COVID-19 vaccines. Their responses can be categorized as between ‘good’ and ‘fair’. However, 30–40% of respondents lacked information about COVID-19 vaccination availability for under 18-year-olds as well as for pregnant women, in addition to the lack of knowledge about the serious unreported adverse reactions and long-term protection offered by the vaccine against coronavirus. The correlation analysis between the variables (p > 0.05) indicated that the response to the KAP domains has no direct relationship. The survey results suggest that most of the Saudi population has sound knowledge and a positive attitude and perception. Since the COVID-19 vaccines have been approved for use in pregnancy and above 12-year-old children by health authorities, the lack of information shown by a significant percentage of participants requires strategies to update this information. Awareness programs targeting all sections of the population must be continued to provide all the updates, including vaccinations for pregnant women and children.

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Perceptions, barriers, and attitudes toward research among in-training physicians in Saudi Arabia: A multicenter survey

Science Progress ◽

10.1177/00368504211010604 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 104 (2) ◽

pp. 003685042110106

Author(s):

Abdulaziz Saud AlEnazi ◽

Abdullah Saeed Alamri ◽

Abdullah Saeed AlGhamdi ◽

Abdulelah Hassan Almansour ◽

Nouf Faihan Bin Rubaian ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Saudi Arabia ◽

Medical Research ◽

Positive Attitude ◽

Sampling Technique ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

P Value ◽

Research Skills ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Research Activities ◽

Multicenter Survey

The outcomes of patient care are improved by adequate knowledge, practical skills, and positive attitude. Currently, there is a lack of data on medical research activities among resident doctors in Saudi Arabia. This study aimed to evaluate the perception, barriers, and research attitudes among various residency programs running in different cities of Saudi Arabia. A total of 434 surgical and medical residents participated in the current study. A cross-sectional study encompassing multiple training centers in the eastern province of Saudi. Convenient sampling technique was used to include all the working training residents. A self-administered questionnaire was formulated for data collection. Descriptive statistics were employed to analyze the data. The mean age of the residents with various specialties was 27.83 ± 2.41 years. Approximately 61.7% had participated in research, while 38.3% had never participated in any research. A total of 26% of junior and 44% of senior residents have one publication only. While 11% of junior and 9% of senior residents have three publications or more. Inadequate facilities for research, lack of baseline research skills, and personal commitments were the reasons which over 60% of respondents had agreed on. Institutional reasons: lack of professional supervisor support and lack of research curriculum in the training program was reported by 308 (71%) and 305(70.3%) residents, respectively. A lack of interest for research was prevailed more in males (19%) compared to females (14%) (OR 1.43, 95% CI: 0.86–2.38, p-value 0.17). A subset of residents had one or three publications, while some had none. A lack of baseline research skills and inadequate facilities for scientific explorations, time, and funds were the main constraints among training residents. However, several residents had a positive attitude toward research but fewer publications. Thus, training in medical research methodology should be obligatory in the residency curriculum in all specialties. Further research is needed.

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Implementation of Standard Operating Procedure in Ophthalmic Practice during Covid 19 Era across Pakistan

Pakistan Journal of Ophthalmology ◽

10.36351/pjo.v38i1.1307 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 38 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Uzma Taqi ◽

Erum Shahid ◽

Uzma Fasih

Keyword(s):

Online Survey ◽

Sampling Technique ◽

Standard Operating Procedure ◽

Standard Operating Procedures ◽

Snowball Sampling ◽

Ocular Surgery ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Clinic Management ◽

Standard Operating ◽

Precautionary Measures

Purpose: To analyze the implementation of standard operating procedures (SOP) in different ophthalmic settings of Pakistan during Covid 19. Study Design: Cross sectional online survey. Place and Duration of Study: Baqai Medical University & Karachi Medical and Dental College, from 11th to 25th January 2021. Methods: This online survey included doctors working as consultants, medical officers and trainees in ophthalmology setups. A self-designed questionnaire on Google forms was sent online to see the implementation of standard operating procedures during COVID 19. Results: A total of 400 participants were selected by snowball sampling technique. A response rate was 105 (26.5%). Females were 66 (62.86%). Among all participants, 36.19% responded that they always screened patients for COVID 19 at reception. Doctors who always wore masks were 96.19%. Out of those who responded, 16.19% and 11.43% always wore protective goggles and disposable gowns respectively. Only 55.24% practiced hand sanitization, 18.10% washed hands with soap and 30.48% cleaned slit lamps after seeing each patient. Doctors who always asked for PCR before ocular surgery under general anesthesia were 65 (61.90%) and for local anesthesia were 36 (34.29%). Direct Ophthalmoscopy, tonometry, and gonioscopy were performed when necessary by 56.19%, 80.00%, 80.00% of doctors respectively. Only 69.5% were satisfied with precautionary measures. Conclusion: Clinic management needs improvement in implementing SOPs among patients in an eye OPD. Fifty percent of the ophthalmologists received PPE by their administration. Only 69.5% doctors were satisfied with precautionary measures. Key Words: COVID 19, standard operating procedures, Pakistan, Ophthalmology

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Social Distancing, Lockdown Obligatory, and Response Satisfaction During COVID-19 Pandemic: Perception of Nigerian Social Media Users

Advanced Journal of Social Science ◽

10.21467/ajss.7.1.44-53 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

pp. 44-53

Author(s):

Olalekan Seun Olagunju ◽

Obasanjo Afolabi Bolarinwa ◽

Tesleem Kayode Babalola

Keyword(s):

Social Media ◽

Public Perception ◽

Online Survey ◽

Sampling Technique ◽

Snowball Sampling ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Effective Measure ◽

Social Distancing ◽

General Acceptance

Background: Pandemics are challenging for clinical and public health agencies and policymakers because of the scientific and medical uncertainty that accompanies novel viruses like COVID-19 makes an increase of morbidity and mortality prominent. Consequently, there is a need to evaluate the public perception of social distancing, lockdown obligatory, and response satisfactory during the pandemic. Methods: This cross-sectional survey used an anonymous online google based questionnaire to collect data from respondents via social media platforms. The online survey was conducted among social media users from 1st to 30th April 2020. A snowball sampling technique was employed to recruit respondents for the survey. A total of 1,131 respondents responded across the country. Results: Nine out of every ten respondents believed that social distancing is an effective measure to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Also, 8 out of every ten respondents agreed with the lockdown measures. However, just 36.8% think their government is doing enough to stop the outbreak, and only 25% of the respondents were satisfied with the country’s response to the worldwide epidemic. The age of respondents was found to be significantly associated with satisfaction with emergency response during pandemics. Conclusion: It could be concluded that Nigerian public accepted social distancing as an effective way of curbing the spread of COVID-19 and general acceptance on lockdown obligatory; however, more than half of respondents expressed non-satisfactory with government and other agencies responses during the pandemics.

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Saudi orthopedic surgeons’ knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding surgical antibiotic prophylaxis

Journal of Musculoskeletal Surgery and Research ◽

10.25259/jmsr_75_2021 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 0 ◽

pp. 1-11

Author(s):

Khalid A. Binown ◽

Faisal A. Alhabradi ◽

Abdulrahman M. Aljahani ◽

Abdulaziz M. Shadid

Keyword(s):

Saudi Arabia ◽

Antibiotic Prophylaxis ◽

Positive Attitude ◽

Surgical Site Infections ◽

Sampling Technique ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Adequate Knowledge ◽

Orthopedic Surgeons ◽

Surgical Antibiotic Prophylaxis

Objectives: The objectives of the study were to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and practice of orthopedic surgeons practicing in Saudi Arabia regarding surgical antibiotic prophylaxis (SAP). Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on certified and under-training orthopedic surgeons registered in the Saudi Council for Health Specialties. An email, including an online validated self-administered survey using a voluntary response sampling technique, was sent between November 2020 and January 2021. The questionnaire comprised 12 questions that tested knowledge regarding SAP, five questions that analyzed surgeon attitudes toward SAP, and three questions on SAP-related practice. Results: This study included 271 orthopedic surgeons from different areas of Saudi Arabia. The majority of respondents were registrars (or equivalent) (n = 92; 33.9%), and most of them were male (n = 257; 94.8%). Almost 95% of respondents reported that SAP was indicated for internal fixation, spinal surgeries, and prosthetic joint replacement. Moreover, 82.7% of the respondents stated that cefazolin was considered the first-line SAP. Almost 85% of the respondents demonstrated a positive attitude toward SAP, with a mean score of 2.48. However, 87.5% of them believed that adhering to SAP general guidelines would reduce the rate of infection in orthopedic surgeries. Almost 53% of respondents reported using only one guideline as a reference in their surgical practice. Moreover, 41.3% of surgeons switched between guidelines depending on the surgery. Conclusion: This study revealed adequate knowledge and a positive attitude toward SAP among orthopedic surgeons. However, a discrepancy in the practice habits of orthopedic surgeons was observed, which is explained by non-adherence to SAP protocols. Common guidelines that can be used by all orthopedic surgeons need to be developed and implemented to reduce surgical site infections and non-adherence to SAP protocols. This task can be done by a general trusted body like the Saudi Orthopedic Association.

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A Cross Sectional Study on Covid-19 Related Depression amongst the Population Working from Home during the Pandemic

Journal of Evidence Based Medicine and Healthcare ◽

10.18410/jebmh/2021/165 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (14) ◽

pp. 844-848

Author(s):

Darshan Yallapp Jotibannad ◽

Ayushi Devendra Singh

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Online Survey ◽

Health Centre ◽

Psychological Impact ◽

Sampling Technique ◽

P Value ◽

Snowball Sampling ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Working From Home

BACKGROUND Covid-19 has detrimental effects on physical and mental health globally. A large number of people have developed psychological disorders due to the pandemic. This study was an attempt to explore the occurrence of depression and its severity level amongst the population who are working from home online during the pandemic period. METHODS A cross sectional online survey was conducted by sharing Zung self-administered depression questionnaire using Google form. Informed consent was obtained from 106 participants and snowball sampling technique was used in the study. Chisquare test and P-value were also calculated to determine the level of significance and association between different variables.c RESULTS Out of 106 participants, 5 (4.71 %) were found to have depression. Females were more affected than men; higher numbers came from those living in a joint family and those who were not married. CONCLUSIONS Our study highlighted the incidence of depression amongst the group working from home during the pandemic. It is the need of the hour to recognise the psychological impact of the pandemic on an peoples’ minds and help them seek immediate help from their nearest health centre to overcome the sufferings they go through. KEYWORDS Covid-19 Pandemic, Depression, Mental Health

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Knowledge and attitude towards anesthesia for cesarean section and its associated factors among pregnant women attending Antenatal care

10.21203/rs.3.rs-851856/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Mekides Endalew ◽

Nigussie Endalew ◽

Abatneh Agegnehu ◽

Zemenay Mekonnen ◽

Destaw Teshome

Keyword(s):

Cesarean Section ◽

Antenatal Care ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Health Information ◽

Positive Attitude ◽

Sampling Technique ◽

Good Knowledge ◽

P Value ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Knowledge And Attitude

Abstract Background: Cesarean section is an effective technique for preventing maternal and perinatal mortality when performed properly. Evidence suggested that pregnant women who have had good knowledge about their condition are able to participate in shared decision-making and can alleviate fears related to anesthesia. However, only a few studies conducted in Ethiopia assess the level of knowledge and attitude of pregnant women towards anesthesia for cesarean section.Methods: Hospital based cross-sectional study was conducted from April 18 to June 25, 2021. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select a total of 362 pregnant women attending antenatal care. Pretested and structured questionnaires were used to collect the data using a face-to-face interview. Both bivariate and multivariable binary logistic regression models were used for statistical analysis. The adjusted odds ratio was used as the measure of association. P-value less than 0.05 at 95% CI was considered as statistically significant.Results: A total of 354 pregnant women attending at ANC clinic participated with a response rate of 97.8%. The overall proportion of good knowledge and positive attitude towards anesthesia for cesarean section were 56.5% (95% CI: 51.4%, 61.9%) and 50.8% (95% CI: 45.8%, 56.2%), respectively. Pregnant women who had previous operations (AOR=4.47, 95% CI: 1.77, 11.32) and had any health information about anesthesia (AOR=10.06, 95% CI: 5.41, 18.69) were significantly associated with good knowledge towards anesthesia for cesarean section. While, pregnant women who have had secondary education (AOR=6.71, 95% CI: 1.19, 37.99), college and above education (AOR=13.63, 95% CI: 2.26, 82.21), and had health information about anesthesia (AOR=2.02, 95% CI: 1.09, 3.77) significantly associated with a positive attitude towards anesthesia for CS.Conclusion: This finding means that a significant number of pregnant women still have poor knowledge and attitude towards anesthesia for CS. Previous operation and health information about anesthesia were significantly associated with knowledge while higher education and health information about anesthesia were significantly associated with a positive attitude towards anesthesia for cesarean section. Health professionals need to provide health information during ANC visits and in the operating theater areas for mothers who have indications for CS.

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Factors Influencing COVID-19 Vaccination Intentions Among College Students: A Cross-Sectional Study in India

Frontiers in Public Health ◽

10.3389/fpubh.2021.735902 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

Author(s):

Lovely Jain ◽

Jatina Vij ◽

Prakasini Satapathy ◽

Venkatesan Chakrapani ◽

Binod Patro ◽

...

Keyword(s):

College Students ◽

Online Survey ◽

Sampling Technique ◽

Vaccine Hesitancy ◽

Snowball Sampling ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

North East ◽

Geographical Regions ◽

Study Participants ◽

To Receive

Background: Students act as messengers in delivering effective messages for better uptake of health-promoting behavior. Understanding their knowledge about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), intentions to use the COVID-19 vaccine, and its associated factors will help develop promising strategies in vaccine promotion concerning the current COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was carried out among students in the healthcare and non-healthcare sectors to assess their intentions to get vaccinated against the COVID-19. A non-probability snowball sampling technique was used to recruit study participants (N = 655) through social media platforms and emails. Study participants were recruited across the country, including six major geographical regions (Eastern, Western, Northern, Southern, North-east, and Central) in India between November 2020 and January 2021 before the introduction of the COVID-19 vaccine. Descriptive statistics were used to present the sociodemographic, and vaccine-related behaviors of the study participants. Key determinants that likely predict vaccine acceptance among students were modeled using logistic regression analysis. For each analysis, p < 0.05 was considered significant.Results: A total of 655 students were recruited, 323 from healthcare and 332 from non-healthcare sectors, to assess their intentions to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Of the 655 students, 63.8% expressed intentions to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The acceptance was higher among non-healthcare students (54.07 vs. 45.93%). At the time of the study, 27.8% of the students indicated that they had been exposed to a confirmed COVID-19 patient. A vast majority (93.4%) of the students knew about the COVID-19 virus, and most (89.3%) of them were aware of the development of a COVID-19 vaccine. The history of vaccine hesitancy was found to be low (17.1%). Only one-third (33.4%) of the students showed concern about contracting COVID-19. Trust in the healthcare system [adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 4.13; (95% CI: 2.83–6.04), p < 0.00] and trust in domestic vaccines [aOR: 1.46; (95% CI: 1.02–2.08), p < 0.05] emerged as the significant predictors of student's intention to get vaccinated. Higher acceptance for vaccine was observed among students in the non-healthcare [aOR: 1.982; 95% CI: 1.334–2.946, p < 0.00].Conclusion: This study shows that the Indian college students had relatively high levels of positive intentions to receive COVID-19 vaccines, although about one-third were not sure or unwilling to receive the vaccine, highlighting possible vaccine hesitancy. Informational campaigns and other strategies to address vaccine hesitancy are needed to promote uptake of COVID-19 vaccines.

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The Influence of B2B Relationship Quality on Opportunism and Firm Performance

HOLISTICA – Journal of Business and Public Administration ◽

10.2478/hjbpa-2020-0032 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. 59-87

Author(s):

Amy Chu May Yeo ◽

Marcus Ee Ken Lai

Keyword(s):

Firm Performance ◽

Relationship Quality ◽

Online Survey ◽

Sampling Technique ◽

Business Environment ◽

Primary Objective ◽

Snowball Sampling ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Negative Effect

AbstractThe primary objective of the research is to determine the influences of B2B relationship quality and opportunism on firm performance. This study takes a general perspective of business organisations by examining the hypothesised relationships in the context of B2B’s in the industrial business environment. The research employs a cross-sectional design whereby quantitative data is collected by means of an online survey. Using non-probability, judgmental and snowball sampling technique, a sample size of 98 employees from the industrial business environment within Malaysia was collected. The gathered data was analysed using statistical software Smart -PLS. The research yields several interesting findings on the association between B2B relationship quality and firm performance in the industrial business environment within Malaysia. Findings also unfolded that the quality of a relationship between businesses is able to influence firm performance and opportunism. Opportunism on the other hand was not found to have any influence on Firm Performance. The results of the study implied that the quality of the relationship between businesses that is built upon trust, commitment, satisfaction and information sharing are important in business relationships. A high-quality relationship that is shared among suppliers and customers is able to predict better firm performance and inhibit the negative effect of opportunism.

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A Cross-Sectional Study of COVID-19-Related Bullying in a Sample of Lebanese Adults: Scale Validation, Correlates, and Mediating Effect of Fear and Anxiety

10.21203/rs.3.rs-389588/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Chadia Haddad ◽

Hala Sacre ◽

Sandrella Bou Malhab ◽

Diana Malaeb ◽

Danielle Saadeh ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Online Survey ◽

Prolonged Exposure ◽

Scale Validation ◽

Sampling Technique ◽

Primary Objective ◽

Mediating Effect ◽

Snowball Sampling ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Bullying Behaviors ◽

Fear And Anxiety

Abstract Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to prolonged exposure to stress and anxiety, raising concerns about a large spectrum of psychological side effects. The primary objective of the study was to validate the COVID-19 Bullying Scale (CBS-11). The second objective was to explore factors associated with COVID-19-related bullying and evaluate the mediating effect of fear and anxiety between knowledge and COVID-19-related bullying.Methods: A cross-sectional online survey conducted between December 20, 2020, and January 5, 2021, involved 405 Lebanese adults recruited using the snowball sampling technique. The CBS-11, an 11-item tool specially created for this study, was used to measure bullying behaviors towards COVID-19 patients.Results: All items of CBS-11 converged over a 1-factor solution with an eigenvalue over 1, accounting for a variance of 75.16%. The scale has a high Cronbach’s alpha (0.974), indicating excellent reliability. A positive correlation was found between the COVID-19 bullying scale and fear, anxiety, and stigma discrimination. The logistic regression showed that higher fear of COVID-19 (ORa=1.04), a positive attitude toward COVID-19 preventive measures and hygiene recommendations (ORa=1.18), higher stigma discrimination scores (ORa=1.09), and having a health professional family member (ORa=2.42) were significantly associated with bullying. Conclusion: Our main findings show that CBS-11 could be an efficient tool to measure bullying behaviors toward COVID-19 patients. Stigma discrimination and fear from COVID-19 were associated with higher bullying attitudes. Future prospective studies are needed to understand better the factors related to bullying among adults during a pandemic, such as COVID-19.

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The Coronavirus Disease Pandemic: Assessment of Perceived Barriers and Threats among Undergraduate University Students in Saudi Arabia

Journal of Pure and Applied Microbiology ◽

10.22207/jpam.15.1.10 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 15 (1) ◽

pp. 155-163

Author(s):

Awad Mohammed Al-Qahtani ◽

Wafaa T. Elgzar ◽

Heba A. Ibrahim ◽

Nahid K. Elfeki ◽

Ibrahim Ahmed Shaikh ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Saudi Arabia ◽

University Students ◽

Sampling Technique ◽

Active Role ◽

Moderate Level ◽

Perceived Barriers ◽

Snowball Sampling ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The Government ◽

High Level

Communities play an important and active role in preventing and controlling the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Reduction of COVID-19-related barriers and threats perceived by the public should be the top priority in promoting positive preventive behaviors among people. This cross-sectional study aimed at identifying the barriers and threats perceived by public university students in the southwestern part of Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 pandemic. The students were recruited through a snowball sampling technique, and data were collected using a web-based questionnaire. Data on socio-demographic aspects, perceived barriers, and perceived threats were collected. Perceived barriers were estimated using the Health Belief Model (HBM) questionnaire, and perceived threats were estimated using the patient threat perceptions in the emergency department scale. This study was conducted between March and June 2020. Approximately 50% of the study participants had a high level of perceived barriers and a moderate level of total perceived threats. Notable factors associated with participants’ perceived barriers and threats were age, college type, and monthly income. Perceived barriers, participants’ residence location, and sex were also significantly related to each other. Moreover, perceived barriers were significantly correlated with perceived threats. COVID-19-related perceived barriers and threats ranged from a moderate level to a high level among most of the participating students. Perceived barriers were associated with some of the demographic variables. The findings from this study may help the government in formulating strategies for planning interventions to reduce COVID-19 pandemic propagation.

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