Attitude, Awareness, and Knowledge of Saudi Citizens towards COVID-19 Vaccination in Qassim Region – Saudi Arabia
Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh
Department of Community Health, Faculity of Medicine, National University of Malaysia-UKM, Malaysia.
Azimatun Noor Aizuddin
Department of Community Health, Faculity of Medicine, National University of Malaysia-UKM, Malaysia.
Abdulaziz Abdullah Al-Salem
Department of Community Health, Faculity of Medicine, National University of Malaysia-UKM, Malaysia.
Khalid Abdulrahman Al-shetaily
Qassim Health Cluster, Medical Supply, Saudi Arabia.
Fawziah Hassan Al-Owayyid
General Directorare of Qassim Health Affairs, Public Health, Health Programs, Saudi Arabia.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Cross sectional study was conducted to evaluate the Attitudes and awareness level of Citizens towards COVID-19 vaccination in Qassim region. The present study’s results showed that awareness of COVID-19 Vaccination in Qassim region- Saudi Arabia shows that the mean score of awareness was 3.49 (SD 0.864) out of 5. Regarding vaccination decision among Saudi citizens in Qassim region, (22.7%) of the participants were undecided, (14.7%) refused, and (62.6%) agreed to get a vaccine against COVID-19. Reason for vaccine refusal mainly was they don't believe the vaccine. 96 Participants (32.0%) were working in the healthcare sector, (44.8%) of them had received the COVID-19 Vaccine, and (38.5%) refused. The level of awareness among healthcare participants was (80.2%). The average knowledge score was 3.49 (SD =.864) out of a possible 5. Participants who reported having a graduate level of education had a considerably higher mean knowledge score. The mean score of attitudes was 1.95 (SD=1.176) out of 5, with majority of positive attitude score 62.7%. ((65.7% They received the first dose, and 6.0% they received the first dose and second dose)). Participants with age group 55 years and above years, are more aware towards COVID-19 Vaccination than other age groups. Married persons are more aware towards COVID-19 Vaccination than other categories. Participants with graduate educational level are more aware towards COVID-19 Vaccination than other educational levels. Employed persons are more aware towards COVID-19 Vaccination than other categories. Whereas, there is no relation between age and awareness among Saudi citizens towards COVID-19 (P-value= 0.140). As well, there is no relation between employed citizens and awareness among Saudi citizens towards COVID-19 (P-value =0.136), and there is relation between marital status and awareness among Saudi citizens (P-value = 0.013).
Keywords: Attitude, awareness, knowledge, COVID-19 vaccination, citizens, Qassim region, Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh