Manal A Al-Batanony^{1, 2,}, Ali E Mansour^{1, 3}

After COVID-19 had begun its journey worldwide, intensified and stringent public health precautionary measures toward COVID-19 was effectively taken by Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) for its control, among which ubiquitous education plays an essential role. This study aimed to assess knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) about COVID-19 among Qassim University students from health and non-health colleges. A cross-sectional study, using a self-administered online, close-ended questionnaire was adopted. 534 Qassim university students from health and non-heal colleges were our participants who, voluntarily and anonymously, answered the questionnaire regarding their KAP toward COVID-19. Appropriate knowledge was acquired by 81.3% subjects, where the level was significantly higher in students from health colleges than their counterparts (P<0.05). 68.2% subjects reported positive attitude, with significantly higher level among older students, students from health colleges and students from the higher academic grades (P<0.05). Proactive practice was found in 87.8% participants which was significantly more prevalent among older students, males and higher grade students (P<0.05). Significant concordant correlation between knowledge, attitude and practice and between attitude and practice were noticed (P<0.05). Tailored public health trainings to improve preventative measures towards COVID-19 should addressed younger students in primary grades, females and students from non-health colleges.

university students, COVID-19, knowledge, attitude and practice