Hand Hygiene Knowledge, Perception, and Practices among Domestic Visitors to the Prophet’s Mosque in Al Madinah City Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

This study aimed to assess hand hygiene knowledge, perception, and practices of visitors to the Prophet’s Mosque in Al Madinah City, Saudi Arabia. Using a self-administered electronic questionnaire, a cross-sectional survey was conducted among domestic residents, who visited the mosque between 31 July and 3 August 2020. Participants’ demographic data, hand hygiene knowledge, perception, and practices were collected. Four hundred participants aged 18–65 (median 36) years completed the survey, of which 215 (53.8%) were female. The visitors’ mean knowledge score about hand hygiene was 6.4 (± standard deviation (SD) 1.35) of total 12. Most participants (392, 98%) were aware of the role of hand hygiene in preventing Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19); nevertheless, 384 (96%) said hand hygiene lowers body immunity and 316 (79%) thought <60% alcohol is sufficient for hand disinfection. Males had a higher knowledge score than females (6.46 (±1.41) vs. 6.14 (±1.27), p = 0.02) and, visitors who had no formal education scored higher than those with post-graduate education (6.88 (±1.45) vs 5.73 (±1.12), p = 0.01). Washing hands with soap and water was the predominant method practiced after a meal (365, 91.7%), after toilet visit (354, 88.5%), after touching a surface (262, 65.7%), after waste disposal (332, 83.2%), and when hands were visibly dirty (357, 89.5%). Al Madinah visitors had moderate knowledge about hand hygiene, but demonstrated some knowledge gaps and negligence in practice that are crucial to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Toward COVID-19 Among the General Public in the Border Region of Jazan, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…The fact that most participants reported distancing themselves from these behaviors indicates a positive attitude and practice that may assist in combating COVID-19. The rates reported in the current study were higher than those of a previous Saudi survey, which found that its participants demonstrated some knowledge gaps and negligence in hand hygiene practice ( 46 ). The majority of the current study stated that they wore face masks in public, although this was not required during the data collection period.…”

Perception of COVID-19 Prevention Methods Efficacy and Intention to Use Among Patients with Chronic Disease in Dessie Town, Northeast Ethiopia: A Multicentered Cross-sectional Study

“… 48 Moreover, hand washing with soap and water are routinely practiced in religious institutions to prevent the current pandemic. 49 …”

“…48 Moreover, hand washing with soap and water are routinely practiced in religious institutions to prevent the current pandemic. 49 In chronic disease patients, health literacy is one of the main determinant factors for execution of COVID-19 preventive behaviors. 50 Our study revealed that patients with low literacy were more likely to have low perception about the efficacy of COVID-19 prevention methods compared to more educated patients.…”

A combined model for COVID-19 pandemic control: The application of Haddon's matrix and community risk reduction tools combined

“…Saudi MoH implemented the economic incentives concept by offering free services such as PCR tests, treatment, and vaccination with no repercussions for all citizens, expatriates, visitors, and residency violators [69] . Moreover, offering free sanitizers in public and private places such as restaurants and workplaces has encouraged people to increase their hand hygiene [70] . Effective public health emergency preparedness and response requires appropriate pre-event, during the event (crisis phase), and post-event (consequence phase) activities.…”