Knowledge and Perception among of Health Care Workers Towards COVID-19, of Armed Forces Hospital - King AbdulAziz Air Base in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia

The emergence of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 in December 2019 in Wuhan, China, represents a significant global public health threat. Initially named the Novel Coronavirus by the WHO, it was later categorised as SARS-CoV-2, sharing similarities with the 2003 SARS virus. Due to its high transmissibility, the resulting COVID-19 disease was declared an airborne, high-consequence infectious disease. By April 2020, COVID-19 had caused over 1 million confirmed cases and 50,000 deaths worldwide. This study evaluates healthcare workers’ knowledge and perceptions of COVID-19 at AFH Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. Utilising a cross-sectional quantitative approach, a self-administered survey assessed socio-demographic data, sources of knowledge, and perceptions. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS to identify trends and gaps. Findings indicated that while healthcare workers generally have adequate knowledge of COVID-19, significant gaps exist, particularly in understanding virus transmission and incubation. Misconceptions were also present among allied health workers. The study highlights the need for ongoing education, accurate information dissemination, and targeted interventions to effectively equip healthcare professionals with the tools to manage COVID-19. The results can inform public health strategies and education programs to improve patient outcomes and control the pandemic’s spread. Addressing knowledge gaps and providing reliable information to healthcare workers is critical in mitigating the impact of COVID-19 and ensuring effective public health responses.