. Study timeline.pdf

Aim 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). Methods 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. Results 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< 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). Conclusions 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.研究目的：本研究旨在评估自我防护措施（洗手、佩戴口罩与社交距离）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）感染的效果。 方法：本研究采用1:1配比的非匹配病例对照研究（case-control study），样本量为1102例。研究者采用描述性分析（descriptive analysis）、双变量分析（bivariate analysis）及多变量分析（multivariate analysis），以明确洗手行为、口罩佩戴行为与社交聚集对COVID-19感染的影响。 结果：研究结果证实，认为口罩对预防COVID-19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；95%置信区间0.320—0.631）。在社交探访及购物时佩戴口罩的防护效果，低于工作场合佩戴口罩（OR=1.299；95%置信区间1.011—1.668）。口罩类型（一次性口罩与布制口罩；OR=0.929；95%置信区间0.590—1.462）及其佩戴时长（＞1天 vs ≤1天；OR=0.907；95%置信区间0.662—1.243）与感染风险几乎无统计学关联。与之相反，与洗手时长＜20秒相比，洗手时长≥20秒与感染风险呈显著负相关，经校正比值比后仍具有统计学意义（OR=0.616；95%置信区间0.476—0.796）。此外，每月与亲友聚集≥4次的受试者，其感染风险高于聚集频率较低者（OR=1.347；95%置信区间1.046—1.734）。进一步发现，每日在清真寺进行五次礼拜的人群，其感染风险高于每日礼拜不足五次的人群（校正后OR=1.740；95%置信区间1.152—2.626）。 结论：本研究表明，在本次研究考察的所有防护因素中，洗手时长超过20秒是最为重要的预防手段。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。同时，与亲友聚集以及每日在清真寺进行五次礼拜，均被证实为COVID-19感染的显著社会风险因素。