Predictors of misconceptions, knowledge, attitudes, and practices of COVID-19 pandemic among a sample of Saudi population and its impact: a cross-sectional study

Objectives

To explore the predictors of misconceptions, knowledge, attitudes, and practices of the COVID-19 pandemic among a sample of the Saudi population and its impact.

Design

An online cross-sectional study.

Setting

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Participants

A total of 2006 participants [953(47.5%) females, and 1053(52.5%) males], and more than 18 years of age were included in the study.

Data collection and analysis

This cross-sectional survey was conducted at the Faculty of Medicine, Rabigh, King Abdulaziz University (KAU). The participants were approached by social media (SM). An online questionnaire was administered, and the data were analyzed on SPSS-26.

Results

The SM was the leading source of information 889(43.9%). Two-thirds of the participants, 1250(66.9%) had various misconceptions, and about one-third of the study participants 637(31.7%) had disturbed social, mental, and psychological wellbeing, and many participants became more religious. Two-thirds of the study participants, 1292(68.1%) had good knowledge score. The attitude was highly positive in 1867(93.1%) participants’, and the practice score was adequate in 1939(97.7%). The participants’ educational status was the predictor of good knowledge. Male gender and divorced ones were the predictor of poor practice scores and age 51-60 years, private jobholders, and students were the predictors of the good practice scores. The Saudi nationality was the predictor of participants’ positive attitude, while the male gender and divorced ones were predictors of a negative attitude. The male gender and higher education status were the predictors of good concepts, while the older age and job (own business) were the predictors of misconceptions.

Conclusion

Our study observed several predictors of misconceptions, knowledge, attitudes, and practices among the Saudi population. Our participants had a good realization of the impact of this pandemic.

Strengths and limitations

• Ours is the first study involving the general population of Saudi Arabia at a time when COVID-19 has tremendously affected the society.

• The use of a validated questionnaire has strengthened the study results.

• The sample size is adequate and representing different segments of society.

• One of the limitations is the convenience sampling method.

• Besides, the study used an online questionnaire, so we could not reach the section of society that is not using the internet.