COVID-19 Pandemic: Public Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice towards Social Distancing and its Impact on the Population and the Healthcare System in Saudi Arabia
Abdulaziz Aljuhni *
College of Medicine, Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Khalid Almahmoud
College of Medicine, Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Sattam Alzahrani
College of Medicine, Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Naif Al-Thakfan
College of Medicine, Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Khalid Alswayed
College of Medicine, Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Abdulhameed Kashkary
Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Saudi CDC, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Mahmoud Mahmoud
College of Medicine, Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aims: To determine the knowledge, attitude, and practice of Saudi population towards social distancing and COVID-19.
Study Design: Cross-sectional.
Place and Duration of Study: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Riyadh city, the capital of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, during the national lockdown, between July 2020 and December 2020.
Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A questionnaire composed of a total of 40 questions, which include socio-demographic, knowledge, attitude, and practice questions. According to the responses, a scale has been established in order to categorize the level of knowledge, attitude, and practice towards social distancing and COVID-19 into three categories; good, fair, and poor. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Independent t-test were used to determine the differences between categories. Multivariable linear regression analysis and Pearson’s correlation were performed in order to identify factors related to KAP.
Results: This study included 407 participants; more than half of them (54%) were females, while (46%) were males. All participants were 18 years and above. The participants showed a fair level of knowledge, a positive attitude, and good practices toward COVID-19.
Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that Riyadh residents, especially females, have a fair level of knowledge, a positive attitude, and good practices toward COVID-19 and social distancing. More emphasis should be targeted on less educated population and men. This study may help policymakers to identify the target less knowledgeable groups for COVID-19 prevention and health education.
Keywords: Attitude, COVID-19, Knowledge, Practice, Saudi Arabia, Social