Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Toward Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) among University Students: A Single University Study in Saudi Arabia

Introduction: Reports that examined the students' knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP)toward Corona Virus Disease-19 (COVID-19) in Saudi Arabia; particularly the western region; are limited. This study examined COVID-19-related KAP levels among Taif University(TU)students. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 794 students using an Arabic language questionnaire that contained demographic data and 36 questions to measure COVID-19-related KAP. The KAP scores were classified as poor (<50%), fair (50 to <75%) and good(>75%). Data were analysed at a 0.05 significance level. Results: The study included794students, of whom 34% (n=270) were males, at least18-years old and mainly aged 20to<25years (76.2%). Most of the participants were Saudi citizens (95.6%; n=734), and from Western Saudi Arabia (76.4%; n=587). The overall average COVID-19-related KAP scores were73.1±12.3%, 72.0%±8.6%, and 79.8%±13.8%, respectively. Besides, fair/good KAP scores were reported as 89.7%, 65.5%, and 78.7%, respectively. A higher knowledge score was significantly related to college type (p=0.008) and having a healthcare worker in the family (p=0.041). Also, a higher attitude score was significantly related to gender (p=0.008) and electively gettingCOVID-19 vaccine (p=0.010). In addition, a higher practice score was significantly related to gender, age, marital status, college, academic level, vaccination period and having a COVID-19-infected family member (p<0.05). Conclusions: COVID-19-related knowledge among the participants was high, and their practices and attitudes aimed at preventing and controlling infection with COVID-19. These findings are helpful for health professionals and policy makers for further minimizing COVID-19 infection among TU students and all similar university settings.