Risk Management and Healthcare Policy (Jul 2021)
Knowledge, Attitude, and Perceived Risks Towards COVID-19 Pandemic and the Impact of Risk Communication Messages on Healthcare Workers in Saudi Arabia
Abstract
Abdulaziz Mushi,1 Yara Yassin,1 Anas Khan,1,2 Saber Yezli,1 Yasir Almuzaini1 1The Global Centre for Mass Gatherings Medicine, Ministry of Health, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 2Department of Emergency Medicine, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Abdulaziz MushiPublic Health Directorate, Global Centre for Mass Gatherings Medicine, Ministry of Health, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaTel +966506830492Email [email protected]: To investigate knowledge, attitude, and perceived risks towards COVID-19 pandemic among healthcare workers (HCWs) in Saudi Arabia. Besides, the impact of risk communication strategy on the attitude and practice of HCWs was investigated.Patients and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study that targeted HCWs from various Saudi health facilities. We utilized a self-administrated, online-based questionnaire designed to assess basic knowledge of COVID-19, attitude and disease perception, and the impact of risk communication messages among HCWs.Results: A total of 1691 responses were received in the study. The HCWs exhibited good levels of knowledge (total maximum score is 1) of COVID-19 concerning the modes of transportation of COVID-19 (0.82± 0.16), sample collection method for COVID-19 diagnosis (0.98± 0.08), transmission of infection from asymptomatic individuals (0.99± 0.11), and that antibiotics are not effective against the new COVID-19 (0.83± 0.38). Nearly one-third of the participants considered a high/very high possibility of acquiring COVID-19 infection. HCWs had good attitude scores concerning their willingness to deal with new COVID-19 patients (0.87± 0.33) and their beliefs in being educated on COVID-19 (0.99± 0.11). Almost all participants strongly agree/agree that it is important to take action to prevent the spread of COVID-19 within healthcare facilities and received health information messages. Notably, 93.4% of the participants stated that the received messages changed their attitude towards COVID-19 and its preventive measures. Good knowledge scores were significantly associated with age > 49 years old, higher educational level, and physician occupation. Similarly, good attitude scores were higher among males, HCWs aged 40– 49 years old, non-Saudi nationals, and physician and nurse occupations.Conclusion: HCWs have fair knowledge and attitude towards the COVID-19 pandemic. The risk communication is an effective strategy to improve the attitude and practice of HCWs towards COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia.Keywords: COVID-19 pandemic, knowledge, attitude, risk communication, perceived benefits, Saudi Arabia
