A Comparative Study of Children's Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding COVID-19 at Secondary Schools

Abstract

Background: Novel coronavirus-2019 is a highly infectious disease that caused a global pandemic around the world. The aim of this study was to compare the knowledge, attitude, and practice of secondary school children toward COVID-19 in Egypt, and Saudi Arabia. Design: A comparative cross-sectional research was utilized in the present study among secondary school children and conducted from January to April 2021. Settings: The research was conducted on secondary school children at Menoufia Governorate, Egypt, and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Sample: All available students of secondary school children (200) were included in the study. A structured online self-reported questionnaire sheet was used to assess children’s knowledge, attitude, and practice about COVID-19. Results: It was shown that the mean ± SD of age for Egyptian children were 15±.96 and the majority of them (63%) were female, while the mean ± SD for Saudi Arabian children were 16±1.5 and the entire sample was female (100%). Conclusion: The majority of Egyptian and Saudi children had correct knowledge and a positive attitude however; there was incompetent practice toward the prevention of the COVID-19 pandemic. Also, there were statistically significant differences among both groups concerning COVID-19. Recommendation: Awareness educational programs should be implemented on a regular basis to foster a positive attitude and good practice toward preventive measures of COVID-19.

Keywords:Children, Knowledge, Attitude, Practice, and COVID-19.

DOI: 10.7176/JHMN/95-01

Publication date: November 30^th 2021