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International journal of environmental research and public health
Jan 19, 2021;18 (2):

Medical Students and COVID-19: Knowledge, Preventive Behaviors, and Risk Perception.

Mansour Alsoghair, Mohammad Almazyad, Tariq Alburaykan, Abdulrhman Alsultan, Abdulmajeed Alnughaymishi, Sulaiman Almazyad, Meshari Alharbi, Wesam Alkassas, Abdulaziz Almadud, Mohammed Alsuhaibani
Author Information
  1. Mansour Alsoghair: Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, Qassim University, Qassim 51452, Saudi Arabia.
  2. Mohammad Almazyad: Department of General Surgery, National Guard Hospital, Eastern Province 34217, Saudi Arabia.
  3. Tariq Alburaykan: Department of Internal Medicine, Buraidah Central Hospital, Qassim 52361, Saudi Arabia. ORCID
  4. Abdulrhman Alsultan: Department of Anatomy and Histology, College of Medicine, Qassim University, Qassim 51452, Saudi Arabia.
  5. Abdulmajeed Alnughaymishi: Department of Family Medicine, Uyun Aljawa General Hospital, Qassim 52347, Saudi Arabia.
  6. Sulaiman Almazyad: Medical Intern, Unayzah College of Medicine, Qassim University, Qassim 51452, Saudi Arabia.
  7. Meshari Alharbi: Medical Resident, King Fahad Specialist Hospital, Qassim 52347, Saudi Arabia.
  8. Wesam Alkassas: Medical Intern, College of Medicine, Sulaiman Al Rajhi University, Qassim 52347, Saudi Arabia. ORCID
  9. Abdulaziz Almadud: Medical Intern, Unayzah College of Medicine, Qassim University, Qassim 51452, Saudi Arabia.
  10. Mohammed Alsuhaibani: Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Qassim University, Qassim 51452, Saudi Arabia. ORCID
PMID: 33478172 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18020842

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic is an international public health threat. This study aimed to evaluate COVID-19-related knowledge, preventive behaviors, and risk perception among Saudi Arabian medical students and interns.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted among fourth- and fifth-year medical students and interns between June and August 2020 at three colleges of medicine in Qassim Region, Saudi Arabia. A previously validated questionnaire was distributed as an online survey.
RESULTS: The total mean knowledge score was 12.5/15 points; 83.9% achieved a high score. The mean score of self-reported preventive behavior was 8.40; 94.1% achieved a high score. The overall mean risk perception score was 5.34/8 points; 31.6% achieved a high score.
CONCLUSION: Medical students assessed in this study displayed sufficient knowledge and preventive behaviors regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and an average level of risk perception. Lower scores by younger medical students suggest that they must improve their COVID-19 knowledge and risk perception, as they are a potential source of health information in their communities.

Keywords

COVID-19 Saudi Arabia behavior knowledge medical students risk perception

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MeSH Term

COVID-19
Cross-Sectional Studies
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Humans
Pandemics
Risk Assessment
Saudi Arabia
Students, Medical
Surveys and Questionnaires
Journal Article

Word Cloud

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