• Noara K Alhusseini, Muhammad R Sajid, Haifa A Alsheikh, Tala H Sriwi, Nour B Odeh, Rawan E Elshaer, Rawand E Altamimi, and Peter M B Cahusac.
• From the Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology (Alhusseini, Cahusac); from the Department of Pathology (Sajid); from the College of Medicine (Alsheikh, Sriwi, Odeh, Elshaer, Altamimi), Alfaisal University; and from the Department of Comparative Medicine (Cahusac), King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
• Saudi Med J. 2021 Apr 1; 42 (4): 377-383.

ObjectivesTo examine the awareness level of COVID-19 and to highlight the frequency of myths and misconceptions among Saudi Arabia's population.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study from June 13 to 20, 2020 by distributing a 16-item online Google forms questionnaire among adults (18-65 years old) living in Saudi Arabia. We utilized the convenience sampling. Data analysis was performed using Chi-square and multiple regression analysis on Jamovi.ResultsA total of 1436 responses were analyzed with 43.5% males and 56.5% females. Most respondents (89.1%) thought that only the elderly above 60 years old are considered at high risk of contracting COVID-19. Most respondents (86.5%) agreed that people with other health conditions could be more affected by COVID-19. Approximately 97.2% agreed that wearing a mask and avoiding touching eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands was the leading preventive action. Most participants (99.4%) chose fever as an associated symptom. Respondents from the healthcare sector presented statistically higher scores than those in non-healthcare sectors (p<0.001). Higher education and higher salary were important predictors of better COVID-19 knowledge.ConclusionPublic health officials need to increase awareness measures on COVID-19 to limit myths and misconceptions and reduce psychological distress associated with it.Copyright: © Saudi Medical Journal.

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