Sampling flowchart.pdf

<strong>Aim</strong> This study aimed to evaluate the impact of self-preventive measures (handwashing, mask-wearing, and social distancing) on preventing the Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) infection in Saudi Arabia (KSA). <strong>Methods</strong> An unmatched case-control study (1 to 1 ratio) was conducted with a sample size of 1102. The researchers used descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate analyses to determine the effect of handwashing, mask-wearing behavior, and social gatherings on COVID-19 infection. <strong>Results</strong> The results evinced that participants who believed that the facemask was important for preventing COVID-19 infection were more likely protected against the disease (OR=0.450; 0.320—0.631). Using a facemask during social visits and shopping indicated a lower protective effect than using it at work (OR=1.299; 1.011—1.668). The type of mask (disposable versus cloth; OR=0.929; 0.590—0.1.462) and its wearing period (1&lt; dayversus ≤1 day; OR=0.907; 0.662—1.243) showed an almost neutral statistical association with acquiring the infection. Contrarily, handwashing time for ≥20 seconds, compared to a shorter time, had a statistically significant protective association with the infection even after adjusting the odds ratio (OR=0.616; 0.4763—0.796). It was also noted that gathering with relatives and friends ≥4 times per month exhibited a higher and statistically significant association with the infection compared to the lower times (OR=1.347; 1.046—1.734). Furthermore, people who prayed five times a day at the mosque showed a higher risk of infection than those who prayed less than five times (adjusted OR=1.740; 1.152—2.626). <strong>Conclusions</strong> This study suggested that handwashing for more than 20 seconds is the most important preventive factor among all considerations investigated. Moreover, it was noticed that disposable and cloth facemasks may have the same effect regardless of the wearing period or sterilization status. Furthermore, gathering with relatives and friends, as well as praying five times a day at the mosque, were ascertained as significant social factors in acquiring the COVID-19 infection.

一、研究目的
本研究旨在评估自我防护措施（洗手、佩戴口罩及社交距离）在沙特阿拉伯王国（Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, KSA）对预防2019冠状病毒病（Coronavirus Disease-2019, COVID-19）感染的作用效果。
二、研究方法
本研究开展了一项病例与对照比例为1:1的未匹配病例对照研究，样本量共计1102例。研究者采用描述性分析、双变量分析及多变量分析，探究洗手行为、佩戴口罩行为及社交聚会与2019冠状病毒病感染的关联。
三、研究结果
研究结果显示，认为佩戴口罩对预防2019冠状病毒病感染具有重要作用的受试者，感染该疾病的风险显著降低（比值比（Odds Ratio, OR）=0.450；0.320—0.631）。在社交探访及购物时佩戴口罩的防护效果，低于在工作场所佩戴口罩（OR=1.299；1.011—1.668）。口罩类型（一次性口罩与布制口罩；OR=0.929；0.590—1.462）及其佩戴时长（＜1天 vs ≤1天；OR=0.907；0.662—1.243）与感染风险之间几乎无统计学关联。与之相反，与洗手时长较短者相比，洗手时长≥20秒的人群感染风险显著降低，即使在校正后仍具有统计学意义（校正后OR=0.616；0.4763—0.796）。同时研究发现，与每月聚会次数较少者相比，每月与亲友聚会≥4次的人群感染新冠病毒的风险更高，且该差异具有统计学意义（OR=1.347；1.046—1.734）。此外，每日在清真寺进行5次礼拜的人群，其感染风险高于每日礼拜次数少于5次的人群（校正后OR=1.740；1.152—2.626）。
四、结论
本研究表明，在本次研究涉及的所有防护措施中，洗手时长超过20秒是最为重要的防护因素。此外，无论佩戴时长或消毒情况如何，一次性口罩与布制口罩的防护效果并无显著差异。进一步而言，与亲友聚会以及每日在清真寺进行5次礼拜，均被证实为感染2019冠状病毒病的重要社会相关危险因素。