PUBLIC SELF-PERCEPTION, KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE ABOUT COVID-19 IN SAUDI ARABIA

Background And Aim: COVID-19 is a devastating pandemic which seriously affected population health and world’s economy. With all advances to diagnose, treat and prevent COVID-19, public knowledge about COVID-10 and adoption of healthy behaviors to avoid infection remain the cornerstone of effective disease control. This study aims to explore public knowledge, adherence to protection practices and self-perception about COVID-19 during the pandemic in Saudi Arabia. Materials And Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Saudi Arabia from June to September 2020. People aged 18 years or older were invited to participate in an online questionnaire modified from the survey tool of the World Health Organization. The survey consisted of a total of 37 items assessing the demographics, knowledge, attitude and practice towards COVID-19. Results: The average COVID-19 knowledge score was 58.8%. More than two-third of participants were adherent to guidelines avoiding the infection. There was a positive moderate correlation between total knowledge score and total adherence score of protection. Majority reported very poor or poor level of knowledge. Most of participants reported that they have good knowledge on how to protect themselves. knowledge level was significantly higher among highly educated, younger male individuals with suspected or confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19. Conclusion: Saudi people with high educational level, younger age, males and individuals suspected or diagnosed to have COVID-19 were more likely to have higher knowledge score. Good COVID-19 knowledge is related with positive attitudes and appropriate COVID-19 practices, implying that health education programs focused at increasing COVID-19 knowledge can help encourage a positive attitude and promote safe practices. As the worldwide threat of COVID-19 continues to emerge, efforts through educational campaigns aimed at the public, particularly the undereducated, older females are important.