Public Awareness and Compliance with Preventive Measures for the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic in Jazan Area, KSA

Bashir, Wafa H.; Abdelrazek, Eman M.; Khair, Amal H.; Higazy, Omnia A.; Mohammed, Amani A.; Salih, Shahinda Fadlalmola Hammad A.

Objectives: COVID-19 being one of the significant public health challenges, preventive measures play an essential role in reducing infection rates and the severity of the disease. This study obtained to estimate the general level of knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding emerging COVID-19. Study design: cross-sectional community based. Methods: Data collected using a structured self-administered online questionnaire, distributed to Jazan residents, KSA between March to September 2020. Results: 345 eligible participants were enrolled, among whom the total mean score of the knowledge, attitude, and practice were 19.6 ± 10.8, 34.8 ± 3.4, 32.7 ± 3.4 consecutively, In term of prevention and protection against the virus transmission, only 186 (53.9%) know that hand washing and (54.5%) know that using of the face mask can protects against the virus transmission. Conclusions: The community was highly significant regarding transmission of (COVID19) and implemented most of the precautionary practices, such as avoiding handshaking and using an alcohol hand rub. Most of the participants obtaining an average level of virus-related information and retaining a positive attitude towards overcoming COVID-19 infection, but they reflect a low to moderate level of awareness of Covid19's clinical manifestation.