Objective: This research determines the level of knowledge and the perceptions of the health practitioners about MERS-CoV to target the needs in addressing the health threat. It also aims to relate the participants’ age, gender, civil status and educational attainment between the seriousness, susceptibility and extent of anxiety, efficacy, and self-efficacy, and the intention to carry out the measures. Methods: This research utilized a correlational approach. The participants were the health practitioners in the hospitals of Hail Region, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. A total of 264 health practitioners completed the survey (response rate of 83%) as a result of a convenience sampling. Weighted mean, standard deviation and Chi-square test of independence were used to analyze the data. Results: The health practitioners have high knowledge on MERS-CoV; as an inflammation of the lungs (2.64 ± 0.48); always gives symptoms (2.67± 0.52), and can be prevented by practicing good hygiene (2.62 ±0.64). The MERS-CoV is perceived as a very serious disease (4.24±0.56). Moreover, the susceptibility of MERS-CoV, and extent of anxiety are perceivably contracted in the absence of preventive measures (3.30±1.18), and with no vaccination (2.7±0.90). On efficacy/self-efficacy, the health practitioners are very certain (4.40 ± 0.69) and neutral with their intention to carry out the measures (3.38±0.72). Age (P=0.001), civil status (P=0.026) and educational attainment (P=0.001) yielded significant relationship with the intention to carry-out the measures. Equally, the educational attainment (P=0.031) prove significant to efficacy and self-efficacy. Conclusion: The high level of knowledge and good perception of the health practitioners about MERS-CoV may contribute in anticipating the disease outbreak.

knowledge, MERS-CoV, perception, health practitioners