Assessment of understanding coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among health university students in Makkah, Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study

Background: For over two years now, the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic detrimentally affected people worldwide, creating a research impetus since the rise of infections and deaths. While there are still many things to learn about COVID-19, it is important to consider the knowledge of medical students, as they may serve as the frontline in the future if the crisis persists. Aim: To assess the level of knowledge on COVID-19 among health care university students of Umm Al-Qura, Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Methods: A survey was conducted between April–July 2021 at the healthcare colleges of Umm Al-Qura University, Mecca, Saudi Arabia. A questionnaire was developed by researchers to determine students’ knowledge about COVID-19 disease, etiology, symptoms, risk factors, complication, prevention, mode of transmission, incubation period, and disease management among healthcare students of Umm Al-Qura University in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire was designed and developed based on an extensive literature review, including recent studies about COVID-19 disease, and was modified from previously published studies. Results: Most (91.9%) respondents had a fair knowledge of COVID-19 and were considered a moderate level. Generally, it is seen that senior students had good knowledge (30.86±6.20) compared to junior students (29.89±5.41) with (P = 0.009). With regards to the knowledge of pharmacy students about the medical questions of the COVID-19 virus, we found about half of them reported that the viral load predicts the severity of COVID-19 virus-related symptoms. Furthermore, most of the pharmacy students, 157 (67.4%), agreed that COVID-19 symptoms are worse among diabetics. Conclusion: Health university students of Umm Al-Qura in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, had a fair knowledge of COVID-19 and were considered at a moderate level. Generally, it is seen that senior students had better knowledge than junior students.