Behavior Responses and Attitude of the Public to COVID-19 Pandemic During Movement Restrictions in Saudi Arabia

Mostafa A Abolfotouh,1– 3 Adel F Almutairi,1– 3 Ala’a Banimustafa,1– 3 Soheir A Hagras,4 Majed Al Jeraisy1– 3 1King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 2King Saud Bin-Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 3King Abdulaziz Medical City, Ministry of National Guard-Health Affairs, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 4Inaya Medical College, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Mostafa A AbolfotouhKing Abdullah International Medical Research Center (KAIMRC)/King Saud Bin-Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS), Ministry of National Guard- Health Affairs, Riyadh, 11426, Saudi ArabiaTel +966 (11) 429-4460; +966 503659204Fax +966 (11) 429-4440Email mabolfotouh@gmail.comBackground: The behavior of the general public and the adoption of precautionary measures during a pandemic determine the fate of the country in the absence of any specific cure. This study aimed to determine the public attitude and behavior responses to the COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia during movement restrictions, and the predictors of behavioral responses.Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study of 2470 adult individuals in Saudi Arabia, 17– 29 April 2020 was conducted via Survey Monkey, using an anonymous validated e-questionnaire. Data were collected on demographic characteristics, COVID-19-related attitudes, and behavioral responses in terms of; precautionary measures, preparedness, and self-quarantine activities, to be responded to by 4-point Likert scales. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to identify the significant predictors of compliance with different behaviors. Significance was considered at p< 0.05.Results: Participants reported positive attitudes towards governmental actions (95%), self-hygiene (93.2%), social distancing (97.1%) and choice of healthy food (89.6%), and negative attitudes towards the current worldwide situation of the pandemic (8