Adherence to COVID-19 prevention control and healthy eating habits among infected and uninfected residents of Saudi Arabia

Abstract

COVID-19 became a major global threat that turned pandemic. The aim of this work was to assess the health nutrition awareness represented in prevention control and healthy eating habits among infected and uninfected residents of Saudi Arabia. We conducted an electronic questionnaire on social media between July and September 2020, was completed by a total of 976 Saudi Arabian residents from 8 provinces, and after validation, only 446 respondents have been included in the study aged between 20 and 68 years, 59.64% female, 79% university-educated. The highest infection rate showed in Mecca (81.82%) due to its religious importance. The majority of infected respondents stated that they received healthcare at home (82.92%). Chronic diseases;asthma, cardiovascular, diabetes and Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) showed to be high-risk groups for COVID-19 infection that represented (20.15, 15.67, 22.39 and 13.43%, respectively) of infected populations. Most of the infected participants poorly adhered with recommended safety measures;hand wash, sanitizers, face mask and physical distancing (79%, 77%, 62% and 61%). Good intake of antioxidants from food (39.77 and 53.19% respectively). Nutrition awareness showed to be related to education level, as 75% of PhD holders adhered to healthy eating behaviour and used immune boost foods (myrrh, pumpkin and turmeric). Obtained results could represent good guidance to governmental plans for pandemic management based on predicted population behaviour for a brighter future of health and wellbeing.