A Cross Sectional Study to Assess the Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Toward Covid-19 among the Arts and Science Students in Farasan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a new variable of the Coro-naviridaefamily. COVID-19 spreads primarily by contacting the virus either from a COVID-19-infected individualthrough coughing or sneezing or from COVID-19-contaminated surfaces. A Descriptive cross-sectionalsurvey of 200 participants, was conducted to explore the awareness, attitude and practice of COVID-19among the arts and science students studying in University college of Farasan. Results: Of all the participants,58% showed a moderate level of awareness, 70% presented a high attitude and 56% presented an adequatepractice regarding COVID-19. Significant positive correlation between awareness-attitude (r = 0.156,p-value < 0.001) and attitude-practice (r = 0.192, p-value < 0.001) were found. Majority of students withnon-medical background agreed that the patient with COVID-19 could remain asymptomatic (p < 0.01)while considering the transmission route, the students from non-nursing background students were foundmore conscious (p < 0.01) that infection could spread through personal contact, respiratory droplets andpossibly by faeces. Despite the moderate public awareness, their attitude and practice were better. Therefore,public awareness must be improved to be prepared for epidemic and pandemic situations.