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EVALUATION OF KNOWLEDGE ON THE PREVENTIVE PRACTICE OF COVID-19 AMONG MIDDLE-AGED ADULTS IN SAUDI ARABIA – A CROSS-SECTIONAL QUESTIONNAIRE BASED STUDY

MAHMOOD BASIL A. AL-RAWI 1, ABDULLAH M. ALOBAID 2, AHMED M. AL-WATHINANI 3, ABDULMOHSEN ABDULAZIZ ISLAM ALAMEEN 4, WAJID SYED 5*

1Department of Optometry, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
2 Department of Trauma and Accident, Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz College for Emergency Medical Services, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
3 Department of Emergency Medical Services Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz College for Emergency Medical Services, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
4 Prince Sultan Military Medical City, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
5 Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

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The lack of knowledge about the diseases can increase the risk of transmission of infection particularly in elderly patients. This study is aimed to evaluate the knowledge on the prevention practice of COVID-19 among Middle-aged adults in the Riyadh region in Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional internet-based study was conducted among Saudi adults living in the Riyadh region of Saudi Arabia using Google forms. The data collection was carried out using a convenience sampling technique over four months in 2021 (February to May) using structured pre-validated self-administered questionnaires. All participants for this study were recruited through social media platforms. Descriptive analysis was performed using SPSS and a p-value of < 0.05 indicated statistically significant results. Among the respondents a greater proportion of them were males 92.9% (n = 171), most of them were aged between 41 - 45 years old. Of the respondent’s, half of them were (n = 92) were employed and 64.7% (n = 119) of them were Saudis. The most common symptoms of COVID-19 identified by Saudi adults were fever 97.8% (n = 180) followed by cough, 85.3% (n = 157), sore throat 68% (n = 125) and headache72% (n = 132). Most of them (n = 172; 96.1%) agreed that the COVID-19 spreads via respiratory droplets of infected individuals. The most common complications reported were pneumonia 85.3% (n = 157), respiratory failure 77.7% (n = 143). Almost all participants 99% (n = 183) agreed that isolation in the proper place is the best way to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Also, most of the respondents agreed that wearing medical masks also helps in controlling the infection with the COVID-19 (n = 173; 94%). The middle-aged adults from Riyadh Region showed adequate knowledge of COVID-19 preventative measures. However, there is a need to implement educational interventions and training programs on infection control practices for COVID-19 across the countries in need.