Public awareness of Coronavirus (COVID-2019) in Qassim Region Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background The rapid and extensive spread of the COVID-19 pandemic has become a major cause of concern for both general public and healthcare profession. Aim of this study is to analyze and evaluate the awareness of both the general public and healthcare providers in Qassim region in Saudi Arabia. Method A cross-sectional study was conducted randomly in different shopping malls in the Qassim region from 10th of February to 10th of March, 2020. The structured questionnaire was used to gather information from participants.Result130 participants have answered the designed questionnaire, out of which 67participants were males(58.5% ) and 54 were females(41.5% ).Overall, 129 (99%) out of the 130 participants are aware of COVID-19, and 116 (90%) have recognize it as a respiratory disease and all of them (100 %) have recognized it as a contagious disease. Participants of the age group 20-40 showed higher awareness level than other age groups (P = 0.005). Significant positive correlation between high risk groups recognition, reliable source of information, infection symptoms, disease spread prevention and COVID_19 available treatments. While the reliable source of information awareness was positively correlated with all other questions, except for the long-term complications.ConclusionGeneral public and health care professionals from Qassim Region showed adequate awareness of COVID-19. However, there is a strong need to implement periodic educational interventions and training programs on infection control practices.

Does health literacy promote COVID-19 awareness? Evidence from Zhejiang, China

“…Furthermore, the COVID-19 awareness level among individuals with different demographic characteristics was also significantly different, that is, it was lower among participants aged 60-69 years old, those with low educational levels, and manual workers, which was consistent with the results of other research studies (27,31,32). This could help the government better target people with lower COVID-19 awareness levels through the identification of demographic characteristics.…”