Perception of Saudi Population about COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND: The evolving COVID-19 outbreak requires a high level of population awareness and other measures to protect public health. OBJECTIVES: In this study, we aimed to identify knowledge, awareness, and fears of the Saudi population regarding COVID-19 during this pandemic. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey study was conducted from April to May 2020 in different Saudi areas. Data were collected via online survey software (Google Forms), and the data collection tool was developed and validated by the study authors to fulfill the study objectives. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 21.0. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests were used for comparison between groups. The statistical significance was considered when the P value ≤0.05. RESULTS: Study participants included 2982 people with 66.8% females. The average percentage of the awareness levels of the current study population was 68%. The vast majority (95.1%) did not know how the virus spread while 94.7% of the participants know the distance that a person should maintain from another person. Significantly higher percentages (70%) knew about and were aware of the prevention methods, including social distancing and hand hygiene, and 73.5% knew that elderly people with chronic diseases are the highest risk group to become infected. The highest significant fear of COVID-19 was from lack of treatment, which was reported by 77.5% of the participants with a P value of <0.05. CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows that the population has acceptable knowledge about COVID-19. Education and work-based awareness programs about COVID-19 are needed, especially for prevention and treatment aspects.