Abstract
Objectives: Middle East respiratory syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is an epidemic in Saudi Arabia. This study aimed to measure the level of knowledge, attitude and practice about Coronavirus, to correlate the sociodemographic characteristics to the level of knowledge, attitude and practice about Coronavirus, and to explore awareness and health behaviors related to the prevention of Coronavirus.
 Method: A national adaptive cross-sectional survey conducted on 714 Saudi Arabian population aged from twenty to above sixty years old in period from March to April 2017. A standardized, confidential, Internet questionnaire used for a large randomly selected population in all regions of Saudi Arabia.
 Results: Out of 714 participants, women demonstrated a greater level of knowledge of MERS-CoV risk and prevention than men. Social media was the main source for providing information about MERS-CoV with (9.7%) excellent, (72.4%) fair and (17.9%) poor knowledge. Most participants had a good attitude toward privation of camel’s milk and meat if they are source of transmission of MERS-CoV. However, females had better attitude toward the privation of camel’s milk and meat (81.6%, p ≤ 0.001) than males (66.7%). Regarding safety precautions, the data suggested that males were significantly less than females in taking safety precautions and prevention by 0.563 time (OR: 0.563 (0.341-0.94), p≤ 0.05).
 Conclusion: Generally, participants have a high level of knowledge, positive attitude, and prevention practice toward MERS-CoV. Furthermore, there was no significant difference in knowledge level in different regions in Saudi Arabia. The females have better attitude toward MERS-CoV than males. The present study highlights the need to create wide-spread awareness about MERS-CoV infection among individuals who do not have access to the internet and social media through posters, television, and dissemination of information by healthcare professionals.
Highlights
Middle East respiratory syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is a viral respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus [1]
Out of 714 participants, women demonstrated a greater level of knowledge of MERS-CoV risk and prevention than men
Social media was the main source for providing information about Middle East respiratory syndrome Coronavirus (MERSCoV) with (9.7%) excellent, (72.4%) fair and (17.9%) poor knowledge
Summary
Middle East respiratory syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is a viral respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus [1]. The Coronavirus was first isolated in Saudi Arabia in 2012 [2]. It is considered an epidemic in Saudi Arabia [3]. Prevalence of the disease and mortality are higher among men compared to women. Among people of age between 45–59 and more than 60 years have the highest mortality rate [4]. From 2012 to 21 July 2017, there have been 2,040 reported laboratoryconfirmed cases and 712 deaths from MERS-CoV infection in 27 countries [5]
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