Healthcare workers’ knowledge and attitudes towards COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background: The world is facing a devastating challenge in the COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 19) outbreak. Healthcare workers (HCWs) provide the first line of defense against any disease outbreak. Thus, the present study is designed to assess HCWs’ attitudes towards, knowledge of, and awareness of COVID-19. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted using an online survey on social media; the participants were 597 adults. The study was conducted from March to April, 2020. The questionnaire was randomly administered on Arabic-language social media applications; the 26-item survey assessed knowledge levels, attitudes, and practices.Results: The analysis includes 597 complete responses from HCWs; participants included physicians, nurses, medical students, and pharmacists. Most participants were females aged 18 to 25 years. Most participants agreed that the virus can spread via direct and indirect contact. Most participants indicated that they wash their hands; avoid touching their eyes, nose, or mouth; and avoid crowded places to protect themselves against infection. Most indicated that a bat was the original source of the virus. Most participating HCWs indicated that the symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Most of the participants also indicated that there is no specific treatment for patients infected with COVID-19. Conclusion: The findings of this work can support the design of effective measures to prevent and control COVID-19 infections during the pandemic. The results also highlight where improvement is needed to HCWs’ knowledge of and attitudes towards COVID-19; the findings also highlight the best healthcare practices regarding this illness.

Knowledge about COVID-19 and vaccine acceptability among priority groups defined for vaccination: A cross-sectional study in Araba/Alava, Spain, before the vaccination against SARS-CoV-2

“…However, a higher proportion of HCWs perceived a high risk of COVID-19 as compared to patients (60-80% versus 40-70%) and believed that mortality in the general population was around 1-5% (50% versus 36%). Our findings are consistent with those found in other studies [19] , [25] , [28] , [33] , [35] .…”

“…Among the HCWs, 85% reported to use official sources for information about COVID-19, whereas 90% “patients used the media. Moreover, a systematic review by Sarria-Guzman et al [32] in the general population and several studies in HCWs [22] , [29] , [35] reported the same findings.…”

“…Furthermore, 97% of the HCWs in our study and 85% in the study carried out by Bashir at al. [35] believe that people without fever can be contagious. Among patients, this percentage was 75%.…”

Pharmacy practice in COVID-19 from a Middle Eastern and African perspective: A narrative review

“…Bashir et al 2021 [14] reported a 26-item cross-sectional observational poll research on 597 HCWs on social media. The questionnaire was distributed randomly on Arabic-language social media platforms − the analysis from HCWs with physicians, nurses, medical students, and pharmacists as participants.…”

Nurses’ Awareness and Experiences During the Covid-19 Pandemic in Duhok City

“…Whilst, nurses' experiences are a parameter that helps nurses adapt to work in a critical environment, especially they are working with confirmed cases of coronavirus patients that influence on their psychological, mental, social & interpersonal relationships Ulrich et al (2018). Healthcare providers are considered the most vulnerable to infection, exposure to many psychological stress, and physical problems as well as unexpected death, among them Bashir et al (2020). In particular, nurses play a critical role in controlling covid-19 infection Mitchell et al (2021).…”