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.