scholarly journals Knowledge, attitudes and practices among people in Saudi Arabia regarding COVID-19: A cross-sectional study

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amani Alhazmi ◽  
Maha Hamed Mohamed Ali ◽  
Ali Mohieldin ◽  
Farah Aziz ◽  
Osman Babiker Osman ◽  
...  

Background: The general population’s compliance with preventive measures and legislation is mainly influenced by their knowledge level, attitude, and practices. This study assessed the knowledge, attitude, and practices of public residents towards corona virus disease-2019 preventive measures in Saudi Arabia. Design and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study; it used a validated cross-sectional online survey that received responses from 13 Saudi administrative regions. Results: There were 1513 participants who completed the study (55% females; 77.7%, university education). Knowledge level, attitude, and practices towards corona virus disease-2019 were 81.3%, 86.6%, and 81.9%, respectively. The knowledge subscales showed that 1496 (98.9%) participants knew the system targeted by the virus, 96.2% and 97.3% knew the causative agent and symptoms, 783 (52.2%) participants knew the transmission modes, and 696 (46.0%) participants knew about the complications. The attitude subscales included 1465 (96.5%) participants who had dealt with an infected person, 1451 (95.9%) participants who isolated in a health facility, 1195 (97.0%) participants who knew about hand washing, and 1387 (91.7%) participants who thought the virus spread through home delivery. The practice subscales included 1505 (99.5%) participants who properly disposed of gloves and tissues and 1347 (89.0%) participants who reported safe practices when coughing or sneezing.Conclusions: This study showed satisfactory knowledge, attitude, and practice towards corona virus disease-2019 in Saudi Arabia. The educational level is a dominant influencing factor for knowledge, attitude, and practice.

Author(s):  
Manuja L. M. ◽  
Raghavendera S. K. ◽  
Ramya M. P.

Background: Corona virus disease 19 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by newly discovered corona virus. In order to reduce the cases of COVID-19, it is important to practice strict control measures. People adherence to control measures is affected by their knowledge, attitude and practices towards COVID-19. Hence, this study was conducted with an objective to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice towards COVID-19 in the rural community in the vicinity of Adichunchanagiri Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS), B.G. Nagar.Methods: This cross sectional study was carried out among 572 households in the rural field practice area of AIMS, B. G. Nagar for a period of 3 months. Personal interview of the households was done using pretested semi structured questionnaire after obtaining the consent. Data was entered in MS Excel and descriptive statistical measures like percentage, mean, and standard deviations were calculated.Results: Among 572 households, more than half (53.9%) of the interviewed subjects were less than 40 years old. Majority, 94.6% of the respondents responded correctly that the spread of the disease is by close contact with an infected person and respiratory droplets, 96.2% knew correctly the early sign/s of COVID-19. 94.2% of them had the confidence that the world will win the battle against COVID-19. Most (98%) of the study subjects were taking proper preventive measures while leaving home.Conclusions: Majority of the study participants exhibited good knowledge, favorable attitude, and sensible practices regarding COVID-19. This good knowledge of the study population towards COVID-19 was mainly due to wide awareness created by the Government through various social media.


Author(s):  
Ambika Sharma ◽  
Mali Ram Aswal ◽  
Rahul Gupta

Introduction: Health care professionals are at greater risk of acquiring and subsequently transmitting Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection to their patients, families and colleagues. It is of utmost importance for them to have a knowledge about this Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) and hence be in a position to practice infection prevention and control. Aim: To assess the Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) among health care professionals regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: This is a descriptive, cross-sectional study and was conducted in the month of April, 2020, among doctors and nurses. Total 164 health care professionals from the medical college hospital were included in the study. A 53-item survey questionnaire was developed to assess KAP among the health care professionals. Data analysis was done by using Epi info 7.2.1.0 version. Chi-square test was used to analyse variables as appropriate. A p-value of <0.05 was taken to be statistically significant. Results: A total of 164 responses were collected and analysed. Doctors comprised 43.9% of the total study subjects while remaining 56.1% were nurses. Male to female ratio of the study subjects was 2:1. Fifty-eight percent informed that they had received training about infection control. In the present study, common source of information about COVID-19 was the internet, social media and television followed by newspaper, government sources and radio. Most of the Health Care Workers (HCWs) were aware of the mode of transmission of infection and common preventive measures. Incubation period was known to 95% of respondents. Only 48.9% of nurses thought that the mild form of disease was most common. Almost all believed that washing hands and wearing mask were important preventive measures. Around 60% of HCWs assumed that they knew the steps for wearing and removing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), but very few could remember the exact sequence. Most of them felt that the disease was dangerous, however only 31% were scared to do hospital work. Both nurses and doctors practiced high levels of hand hygiene, cough hygiene and wearing face masks at the workplace. Conclusion: This study highlights the level of existing KAP of COVID-19 among health care professionals. There is an urgent need to focus on training for correct use of PPE which can safeguard HCWs from contracting COVID-19.


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