The attitudes and degree of awareness about MERS-CoV among Saudis of different ages

Shafi Hussain M Alqahtani,Muteb Nasser R Aldawsari

doi:10.15761/crt.1000114

Abstract

Background: Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) that causes MERS disease was first identified in 2012 in Saudi Arabia. Since that cases have spread within the Kingdom and some cases were transmitted to other Middle Eastern countries, Europe and the United States. However, KSA remains the epicenter of this serious respiratory infection that is associated with high mortality rates. This accentuates the public health concerns because Saudi Arabia receives millions of pilgrims from all over the world. Aims: This study investigated the attitudes and degree of awareness about MERS-CoV among Saudis of different ages. Patients and methods: Structured anonymous closed ended dichometous questionnaires were distributed to a large population of Saudi men and women of different ages. The questionnaires included questions aboutmodes of transmission of corona virus, clinical features, and outcome of infection, the impact of infection on pilgrimage, methods of prevention, the governmental efforts to combat spread, the availability of information. Results: Respondents were recruited for the study by random selection. Sixty-eight percent of respondents have good knowledge about the mode of transmission, 82% were aware about the seriousness of the infection, 51% responded positively to non availability of curative treatment or vaccine. 74% knew the modes of prevention and 93% believed that the government efforts were successful. Of the respondents, 41% considered MERS-CoV was a serious risk during Hajj or Umrah. Government media, the Saudi Ministry of health posters, radio and television, the social media was the main source of information among young adults and older participants. Conclusion: The findings suggest that the level of awareness about MERS-Cov in among this Saudipopulation is high and the level of perception reasonable. The governmental health education campaign is critical for increasing MERS-Cov infection awareness.

Highlights

41% considered MERS-CoV was a serious risk during Hajj or Umrah
The findings suggest that the level of awareness about MERS-Cov in among this Saudipopulation is high and the level of perception reasonable
The “Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus” (MERSCoV) was first recognized in 2012 as the causative agent for a severe form of respiratory tract infection that is associated with high mortality in some cases [1]

Summary

Patients and methods

Structured anonymous closed ended dichometous questionnaires were distributed to a large population of Saudi men and women of different ages. The questionnaires included questions aboutmodes of transmission of corona virus, clinical features, and outcome of infection, the impact of infection on pilgrimage, methods of prevention, the governmental efforts to combat spread, the availability of information

Results

Introduction

Methodology

Discussion

Conclusion