Introduction
Starting from December 2019, the number of Novel Corona-virus
(nCOV-2019) cases are increasing dramatically especially in Middle East
countries, although they are declining in some countries worldwide
including China which is the original source of this
pandemic1,2. Corona-virus is a highly contagious
disease which caused by group of viruses with different genetic
compositions that invading the respiratory system and therefore, it
causes numerous respiratory health problems ranging from mild common
cold symptoms to fatal pneumonia3.
It had been reported that people who are at greater risk for developing
severe symptoms are elderly people besides those with chronic health
disorders such as hypertension, diabetes, cardio-vascular diseases,
chronic respiratory disorders and cancers. Although, for children
appears to be relatively rare and mild4,5,6.
However, the underlying pathological mechanisms that let some infected
people to get seriously sick while others get mild symptoms, still
unknown7. This disease of unknown etiology and source
let WHO and most countries to adopt strict international precautions to
stop spreading of the disease8,9. These strict
precautions beside social media speculations and closing off all places
including academic institutions as well as increasing deaths anywhere
put people in psychological distress that generates negative emotions
for individuals, families and entire communities10.
Moreover, to date, there have been no definite treatment or vaccines for
this disease11,12. Therefore, it is very important for
people to be aware about this pandemic in terms of its etiology, signs
and symptoms, mode of transmission and obviously how to prevent
spreading of the disease beside how and when to seek and ask for medical
advices and assistance.
Saudi Arabia has had a vast majority of infected cases with COVID-19
among Middle East countries. The cases ranged from asymptomatic
contacts, being suspected, positively diagnosed up to manifestations of
severely pulmonary damaged cases13,14. This outbreaks
can put significant psychological stress on people which may lead to
unfavorable effects on the overall physical, psychological as well as
emotional stability15.
Numerous studies documented that fear from death and pervasive feelings
of anxiety, loneliness, sadness, irritability and other serious concerns
may arise among healthy people during pandemics16,17.
Despite the importance of physical as well as psychological problems
during this pandemic occurrence, so much contradicted information is
available about COVID-19 in various social media and internet sites.
Therefore, public awareness about the nature of this virus and how to
prevent it may decrease such irritability and other unfavorable
problems. Moreover, good, right and reliable information would be useful
in improving preventive strategies beside aiding in designing proper
health education programs for controlling the disease.
Accordingly, it is necessary to conduct such surveys for assessing the
awareness level among populations.
The aim of this study was to explore the awareness, health seeking
behaviors and preventive measures towards COVID-19 among Najran
University students during this outbreak.