Evaluation of the nursing informatics competency among nursing students: A systematic review.

AIM: This study aims to evaluate the nursing students' informatics competency reported in the literature. BACKGROUND: Nursing informatics competency holds immense significance in the modern healthcare landscape, making it a vital requirement for nursing students before they graduate and embark on their professional careers. Nurses should integrate evidence-based nursing informatics (NI) into routine procedures to manage acute and chronic illnesses due to the increased complexity of the nursing profession and the healthcare systems. DESIGN: A systematic review. METHODS: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and EMBASE were searched till December 2023 for any relevant studies evaluating the nursing informatics competency among students. RESULTS: In this systematic review of 13 articles, the nursing informatics seems to be familiar among nursing students. Most of the included participants were generally competent, with an average total nursing informatics competency score of 3.4. In addition, they reported good scores for the clinical informatics role (Mean = 2.63), attitude (M= 3.7), basic computer knowledge and skills (M= 3.9), applied computer skills (M= 2.5), and wireless device skills (M= 3.2). However, these results were limited due to the use of structurally different assessment tools and their different cutoff values. CONCLUSION: Nursing informatics competency has a great impact on the quality of services provided by healthcare systems. It is affected by several factors, such as the student's previous computer experience and the curricular and extracurricular exposure to informatics knowledge and skills. The available literature lacks a precise judgment on the competency of nursing students. But it seems to vary from fair to good among them. So, it is recommended to include nursing informatics as an obligatory course rather than an elective in the nursing baccalaureate. This helps prepare future nurses with the required knowledge and skills for better clinical decision-making.

Impact of triage nurses' recognition of acute coronary syndrome on patients' clinical outcomes: A retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Triage nurses' pivotal role in initial assessment makes their competence crucial. However, the specific impact on Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) recognition and outcomes remains unclear in Jordanian healthcare. Understanding this relationship could enhance ACS management and patient outcomes in Jordanian Emergency Departments (EDs). OBJECTIVE: To assess how triage nurses' recognition of ACS diagnosis affects patient outcomes in Jordan. METHODS: This retrospective study examined records of 150 ACS patients admitted to the coronary care unit (CCU). Data extraction assessed triage nurses' accuracy in recognizing ACS symptoms and the timelines for diagnosis procedures (e.g., electrocardiogram [ECG]) and treatment provision (e.g., thrombolytic) based on triage decisions. It also evaluated the impact on treatment outcomes, including length of stay in the ED and hospital. Multiple linear regression analyses quantified the influence of under-triage on treatment outcomes. RESULTS: The sample comprised 150 patients. Most were female (78.7%), aged 45-59.9 years (37.3%). ACS classifications: unstable angina (52.0%), STEMI (38.0%), NSTEMI (10.0%). The study included a cohort of ACS patients, with findings indicating varying degrees of under-triage by triage nurses. Analysis of timelines revealed significant delays in diagnosis and treatment initiation for patients subjected to under-triage. Multiple linear regression analyses demonstrated a robust association between under-triage and prolonged time to essential treatment outcomes, including delays in physician assessment, ECG performance, thrombolytic administration, and extended ED length of stay. CONCLUSION: Triage nurses' knowledge and competency are crucial determinants of accurate ACS recognition and subsequent clinical outcomes for patients presenting to the ED in Jordan. Investing in ongoing education and training programs for triage nurses may lead to improved ACS recognition rates and better patient outcomes in Jordanian healthcare settings.

The relationship between perceived teacher autonomy support, perceived competence in learning, and academic performance among nursing students.

Perceived teacher autonomy support in nurse education remains understudied in the literature. This study examined the relationship between students' perceived teacher autonomy support, perceived competence in learning, and academic performance. A cross-sectional correlation descriptive design was used for 225 participants, undergraduate nursing students studying in Saudi Arabia. Perceived teacher autonomy support, perceived competence in learning, and academic performance were measured using the Learning Climate Questionnaire, Perceived Competence Scale for Learning, and student grade point average, respectively. The results revealed a high level of perceived teacher autonomy support and perceived competence in learning among the nursing students, with students in the internship year (final year) reporting higher perceived teacher autonomy support than students in other years. There was a strong positive correlation between perceived teacher autonomy support and perceived competence in learning. Further, students' perceived teacher autonomy support predicted their academic performance, indicating that those with high perceived teacher autonomy support were more likely to have a higher grade point average. Nurse educators must prioritize student autonomy support for better learning and performance, especially upon enrollment in a nursing program.

The effect of HIV on patients' lives: a phenomenological qualitative study.

INTRODUCTION: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection poses a significant threat to the immune system, compromising the body's ability to combat diseases and infections. The Ministry of Health in Saudi Arabia reported an HIV incidence rate of 3 cases per 10,000 individuals. This study aimed to gain insight into the lived experience of Saudi patients living with HIV. METHODS: Employing a qualitative phenomenological approach, this study conducted in-depth interviews with 16 HIV patients (10 men, 6 women) between January 2023 and May 2023. RESULTS: Thematic data analysis highlighted three overarching themes and four subthemes. "Fear of the Future" encompassed subthemes including the fear of infecting a family member, fear of marriage, fear of employment recruitment, and fear of scandals. "Hopelessness" reflected the profound emotional state experienced by patients. "Overcoming Adversity" captured the resilience and strength demonstrated by individuals facing the challenges of living with HIV. CONCLUSION: Saudi patients diagnosed with HIV encounter numerous obstacles in their daily lives. The fear of the future, including concerns such as infecting family members, marriage prospects, employment opportunities, and potential social repercussions, significantly impacts their overall well-being. By understanding the lived experience of HIV patients in Saudi Arabia, healthcare providers and policymakers can better support and enhance the quality of life for this population.

Nursing Professional Commitment as a Mediator of the Relationship Between Work Environment and Missed Nursing Care Among Nurses: A Cross-Sectional Analysis.

Introduction: Nursing care plays a pivotal role in promoting patient well-being and optimizing health outcomes. The nursing profession is characterized by its commitment to delivering high-quality care to patients. Objective: The purpose of the study was to explore the role of nursing professional commitment as a mediator between the work environment and missed nursing care. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis study "STROBE guideline" used an online structured questionnaire to collect data. It was conducted on a sample of 813 nurses who worked at seven governmental hospitals in Egypt, in the hospital wards, operating rooms, intensive care unit (ICU) or outpatient clinics, during a 4-month period from April to August 2022. Researchers used Characteristics of nurses, Nursing Work Index-Revised, Nursing Professional Commitment Scale, and MISSCARE Questionnaire to collect the data. Structural equation modeling by AMOS was used for testing nursing professional commitment as a mediator between the work environment and missed nursing care. Nurses' professional commitment was used as a mediator between work environment and missing nursing care. Results: The working environment has a direct impact of -0.175, an indirect impact of -0.139, and a total impact of -0.314. Furthermore, professional commitment has a direct impact of -0.421. Additionally, when the working environment increases by 1, professional commitment increases by 0.33. Similarly, when the working environment increases by 1, missed care decreases by 0.175. Moreover, when professional commitment, as a mediating factor, increases by 1, missed care decreases by 0.421. Conclusion: In conclusion, the findings of this study highlight the significant role of professional commitment as an intermediary factor between the working environment and missed nursing care. According to these results, it is necessary to formulate and implement intervention strategies to improve nurses' professional commitment and working environment, which is the key to reducing their missed nursing care.

Factors affecting the development of clinical nurses' competency: A systematic review.

AIM: To synthesize and analyze the literature on nursing clinical competence to assess the factors affecting nursing clinical competency. BACKGROUND: Nursing competence affects not only patients but also nurses themselves. Competent nurses contribute to patient safety. Prioritizing clinical competency enables nurses to deliver high-quality care. Clinical nursing competency is influenced by various factors including education and training, experience, professional development, clinical judgment, decision-making skills and communication. DESIGN: This was a systematic review. METHODS: This study utilized an extensive literature search of online databases, including SCOPUS, Web of Science and PubMed. This review followed the guidelines provided by the Effective Practice and Organization of Care (EPOC) Cochrane Group and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. RESULTS: This systematic review provided 20 valuable articles, with a total of 6273 participants across the 20 studies, including 18 cross-sectional studies and two descriptive-correlational studies, predominantly using quantitative research methods. The analysis revealed several key factors that significantly affect nurses' clinical competency. These factors included years of experience, workplace environment, theoretical knowledge and educational level, marital status, clinical training, job satisfaction, turnover intention, job stress and critical thinking. CONCLUSIONS: Understanding and addressing these factors are crucial for enhancing nurses' clinical competence and ultimately improving patient outcomes. Further research and interventions should be directed towards promoting supportive work environments, continuous education and the development of critical thinking skills among nurses to optimize their clinical competencies.

The Relationship between Bullying and Emotional State among Undergraduate Nursing Students: A Cross-Sectional Correlation Study.

Introduction: Bullying behavior by nursing students is a serious problem that has contributed to the drop in numbers in the nursing profession. Aim: The study investigated the relationship between bullying and the emotional state of undergraduate nursing students. Methods: The study used a cross-sectional correlation design with a sample of 286 undergraduate nursing students from multiple nursing colleges located in the western region of Saudi Arabia. The 21-item depression, anxiety, and stress scale (DASS-21) was used to measure the study outcomes. A revised version of the Bullying Assessment Questionnaire was used to assess bullying experiences. Statistical analyses, including a t-test, Pearson correlation coefficient, and a one-way between-subjects ANOVA, determined the significance of the relationship between study variables. Results: There was a high prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms among Saudi nursing students. Most of the respondents reported mild to extremely severe symptoms of depression (58.7%), anxiety (58%), and stress (44.8%). Around 90.1% of the nursing students reported exposure to a form of bullying over the previous 12 months. The most common items reported as part of this behavior included continually being assigned tasks beyond their capacity. Family members were the most frequently reported source of bullying (29.8%), followed by nursing faculties (20.9%). Bullying behavior was positively correlated with students' scores for depression, r (284) = 0.49, n = 286, p < 0.01; anxiety, r (284) = 0.54, p < 0.01; and stress, r (284) = 0.56, p < 0.01. Conclusion: The study's findings raise concerns and highlight the importance of decreasing the risk of depression, anxiety, and stress among undergraduate nursing students. Nurse educators must ensure that students receive psychological support to decrease these psychological outcomes. Regularly monitoring bullying behavior is essential to maintain students' psychological stability, which could eventually reduce professional dropout rates.

Health Sciences Students' Perspective on the Functions of Academic Advising.

Introduction: Nursing and allied health students represent a significant percentage of undergraduate students. Academic advising is integral to students' success. Objective: This study aimed to identify nursing and allied-health science students' perspectives on academic advising functions and identify the demographic factors associated with these perspectives. Methods: A cross-sectional, correlational study was conducted with 252 students who completed a survey on students' perspectives on academic advising functions. Students were recruited from a large public university in western Saudi Arabia. Results: The results revealed that 97.6% of students reported knowing their academic advisor and 80.8% reported meeting with their advisor at least once over the past year. Overall, students perceived academic advising as important (M = 4.0, SD ± 0.86). The social role of academic advising was perceived as its most important function (M = 4.1, SD ± 0.85), followed by the academic role (M = 4.0, SD ± 0.87) and the personal role (M = 3.9, SD ± 0.87). The results showed that junior students perceived academic advising as more important than their counterparts. There was a weak significant correlation between students' perception of academic advising functions and the number of meetings held with their advisors. Conclusion: Faculty should improve students' understanding of the academic advisor's role in academic progress. Students understanding of their academic advisor's role in supporting their academic progress should be emphasized, especially among senior students.

Saudi Nursing Students' Knowledge and Perception of Testicular Cancer Assessment and Management: A Cross-Sectional Study.

INTRODUCTION: Testicular cancer (TC) incidence is increasing worldwide. This study aimed to investigate Saudi nursing students' knowledge and perception about TC. METHOD: This cross-sectional study was done using convenience sampling method. In this study, 280 nursing students from different nursing schools in six cities of Saudi Arabia were recruited. A structured self-report questionnaire was used to collect data. RESULT: About 49.2% of the participants received education about TC in their nursing schools. The findings showed lack of enough knowledge about TC among Saudi nursing students. Mostly, the participants reported that heredity factor and having family history of TC (48.9%) and age between 56 and 70 years (41.8%) were the most common risk factors of TC. According to the participants, physical examination was the most common diagnostic test usually used for early detection of TC (40.4%) and biopsy test was the most accurate test to confirm TC diagnosis (45.4%). Only one third of the participants (34.6%) knew that between 75% and 100% of TC cases can be cured in case of early detection. About half of the participants (51.8%) reported that surgical procedure was the most common treatment for TC. The nursing students who had high GPA (r=0.86, p<0.001), were unwilling to get more information on TC (r=0.24, p=0.04), had family history of TC (r= 0.53, p=0.02), medical problems with testicles (r= 0.69, p=0.01), received education about TC in their school of nursing (r=0.65, p=0.02), and were more self-confident in assessing and managing TC (r=0.38, p=0.03) had higher level knowledge about TC.  Conclusion: Despite the importance of nurses' roles in assessing and managing TC, nursing students in Saudi Arabia still did not have enough knowledge about TC. Improving nursing programs' curricula and conducting health education programs are recommended.

The Lived Experience of Middle-Aged Saudi Patients With End-Stage Chronic Renal Disease on Hemodialysis Treatment.

INTRODUCTION: More than 20,000 patients with chronic renal disease are receiving hemodialysis treatment in Saudi Arabia. Approximately, 57.4% of nurses in Saudi are expatriates. However, these nurses may not have sufficient cultural knowledge, which may affect perception of nursing care. Our purpose was to understand the lived experiences of middle-aged Saudi Arabian hemodialysis patients. METHOD: This qualitative phenomenological study was conducted in Saudi Arabia in 2021. Data were analyzed using axial coding. RESULTS: Eleven patients aged 32 to 60 years participated. Two themes and three subthemes were identified: (a) hemodialysis's negative consequences (travel restriction, social isolation, and low responsibilities toward families) and (b) level of support (family support, nurses' support, and governmental support). DISCUSSION: Hemodialysis patients find travel and social engagement difficult. Furthermore, they cannot fully meet their family responsibilities due to fatigue and long hemodialysis hours. Health care providers should consider integrating these findings to deliver optimal holistic care.

Predictors of physical activity behavior change among patients with heart failure enrolled in home-based cardiac rehabilitation intervention.

BACKGROUND: Physical activity behavior change is considered one of the most challenging lifestyle modifications in patients with heart failure. Even after participation in a cardiac rehabilitation program, most patients do not engage in the recommended level of physical activity. OBJECTIVE: To determine which baseline demographic, physical activity levels, psychological distress, and clinical variables predicted physical activity behavior change to increasing light-to-vigorous physical activity by 10,000 steps/day following participation in home-based cardiac rehabilitation intervention. METHODS: A prospective design involving secondary analysis was used to analyze data obtained from 127 patients (mean, 61; range, 45-69 years) enrolled in and completed an 8-week home-based mobile health app intervention. The intervention was designed to encourage health behavior change with regard to decreasing sedentary behavior and increasing physical activities performed at light or greater intensities. RESULTS: None of the participants accumulated 10,000 steps or more per day pre-intervention (mean, 1549; range, 318-4915 steps/day). Only 55 participants (43%) achieved an average daily step count of 10,000 or more at week 8 of the intervention (10,674 ± 263). The results of the logistic regression showed that higher pre-intervention physical activity levels and anxiety symptoms and lower depressive symptoms were associated with a higher likelihood of achieving physical activity behavior change (p < .003). CONCLUSION: These data highlight that determining pre-intervention physical activity levels and depressive symptoms can be the key to designing an effective home-based cardiac rehabilitation intervention in patients with heart failure.

The Impact of Event Scale-Revised: Examining Its Cutoff Scores among Arab Psychiatric Patients and Healthy Adults within the Context of COVID-19 as a Collective Traumatic Event.

The Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) is the most popular measure of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It has been recently validated in Arabic. This instrumental study aimed to determine optimal cutoff scores of the IES-R and its determined six subscales in Arab samples of psychiatric patients (N = 168, 70.8% females) and healthy adults (N = 992, 62.7% females) from Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 pandemic as a probable ongoing collective traumatic event. Based on a cutoff score of 14 of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale 8-items (DASS-8), receiver operator curve (ROC) analysis revealed two optimal points of 39.5 and 30.5 for the IES-R in the samples (area under the curve (AUC) = 0.86 & 0.91, p values = 0.001, 95% CI: 0.80-0.92 & 0.87-0.94, sensitivity = 0.85 & 0.87, specificity = 0.73 & 0.83, Youden index = 0.58 & 0.70, respectively). Different cutoffs were detected for the six subscales of the IES-R, with numbing and avoidance expressing the lowest predictivity for distress. Meanwhile, hyperarousal followed by pandemic-related irritability expressed a stronger predictive capacity for distress than all subscales in both samples. In path analysis, pandemic-related irritability/dysphoric mood evolved as a direct and indirect effect of key PTSD symptoms (intrusion, hyperarousal, and numbing). The irritability dimension of the IES-R directly predicted the traumatic symptoms of sleep disturbance in both samples while sleep disturbance did not predict irritability. The findings suggest the usefulness of the IES-R at a score of 30.5 for detecting adults prone to trauma related distress, with higher scores needed for screening in psychiatric patients. Various PTSD symptoms may induce dysphoric mood, which represents a considerable burden that may induce circadian misalignment and more noxious psychiatric problems/co-morbidities (e.g., sleep disturbance) in both healthy and diseased groups.

Examining the Effect of an Educational Program on Nursing Students' Informatics Competencies.

ABSTRACT: This study aimed to determine the effect of a two-day education program on the informatics competencies of undergraduate nursing students. A one-group pretest-posttest design was employed using a convenience sample of 83 students. SANICS-18 (Self-Assessment of Nursing Informatics Competencies Scale) items were used to measure nursing informatics competencies. The pretest findings indicated a low overall score for nursing informatics competencies, with applied computer skills being the lowest self-reported competency subscale (clinical informatics). Following implementation of the education program, nursing students' general informatics competencies improved. The findings suggest that nursing programs should provide continuing nursing informatics training and integrate skills and competencies within the nursing curriculum.

Attitudes toward Nursing Profession and Fear of Infectious Diseases among Undergraduate Nursing Students: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The uncertainty surrounding the effect of infectious diseases on nursing students' attitudes toward the nursing profession worldwide exists. This study sought to examine the association between fear of infectious diseases and students' attitudes toward the nursing profession. METHODS: This quantitative descriptive cross-sectional study used a convenience sample of 477 students enrolled in nursing programs from three universities located in urban and non-urban areas in Saudi Arabia. RESULTS: The study revealed a positive attitude toward nursing and minimal fear of infectious diseases. Junior nursing students reported significantly better attitudes and preferences toward the nursing profession than senior nursing students. Students who reported positive attitudes toward the nursing profession significantly had no intension to discontinue or transfer from nursing programs, whereas students with low attitudes reported significant intention to discontinue their enrollment in the nursing programs. Students in urban universities reported higher significant fear of infectious diseases compare to non-urban. The study revealed a significant negative correlation between fear of infectious diseases and students' preference for the nursing profession. CONCLUSIONS: Nurse educators need to support senior nursing students' attitudes toward the nursing profession and reduce their fear of infectious diseases, particularly among students studying in urban areas.

Patients' satisfaction with nursing care quality and associated factors: A cross-section study.

AIM: This research aimed to evaluate patients' satisfaction with the nursing care quality during their hospitalization. DESIGN: Quantitative cross-sectional descriptive design. METHODS: A convenience sample of 238 patients were recruited from hospitals in two provinces in Saudi Arabia. Patient satisfaction was measured by the Arabic version of the Patients' Satisfaction with Nursing Care Quality Questionnaire (PSNCQQ-Ar). RESULTS: Significant differences were found between Saudi provinces regarding the overall quality of nursing care (M = 4.65, p < 0.001). The study revealed mean significant variations between patient satisfaction with nursing care and sociodemographic factors, including age (p = 0.002), education level (p = 0.047), marital status (p = 0.017), employment status (p = 0.038), urban vs. suburban residence (p = 0.006), length of hospitalization (p = 0.001), and accompaniment by a family member (p = 0.014). Improving patients' experience during their hospitalization requires regular examination of the quality of nursing care services. PATIENT CONTRIBUTION: This research enhances our understanding of patients satisfaction toward the quality of nursing care received during hospitalization.

Factors influencing hospital anxiety and depression among emergency department nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic: A multi-center cross-sectional study.

Introduction: The emergency department (ED) is a highly stressful environment, which exposes nurses to infection. ED nurses handle life-threatening conditions, endure long working hours, and deal with anxious patients and their families. Aim: This study aimed to examine factors, which may influence anxiety and depression levels among ED nurses during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Methods: A cross-sectional design was used with 251 participants from six hospitals in Saudi Arabia (mean age = 32.7 ± 6.59, range = 21-54 years, 70.5% females). Data were collected using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and the analysis was conducted using structural equation modeling (SEM). Results: Based on the HADS scores, 29.1 and 25.5% of ED nurses were identified as doubtful cases for depression and anxiety, respectively. Additionally, 34.7 and 43.3% of ED nurses were identified as definite cases for depression and anxiety, respectively. Higher anxiety levels were observed among female nurses, nurses with lower physical activity levels, and nurses who worked in urban areas. Low physical activity levels and more than 6 years of work experience correlated with a higher level of depression. None of the hypothesized paths in the anxiety and depression models were significant, except for two observed variables-namely, work location and physical exercise in the anxiety model and physical exercise in the depression model. Conclusion: Emergency department nurses expressed high levels of anxiety and depression during the COVID-19 pandemic, which may negatively affect their performance and reduce care quality. Therefore, health care leaders should implement specialized mental health education programs focused on nursing occupational safety and support to improve ED nurses' psychological well-being. Specific attention should be paid to ED female nurses who work in urban areas, especially those with more than 6 years of experience.

Self-doubt in Nursing Students: An Evolutionary Concept Analysis.

Self-doubt may negatively affect the development of prelicensure nursing students as they prepare to become practice-ready members of the workforce. Walker and Avant's method of analysis was used to explore generalized self-doubt as well as within the context of a contemporary nursing education framework: Aller's Development of Decision-Making and Self-Efficacy Model (ADD-SEM). Results indicate that several attributes of generalized self-doubt, as a form of low psychological capital, were consistent with this construct of the ADD-SEM and should be considered as nurse educators strive to ensure new nurses are prepared for the complexity of today's health care systems.

The Six-Item Version of the Internet Addiction Test: Its Development, Psychometric Properties, and Measurement Invariance among Women with Eating Disorders and Healthy School and University Students.

Internet addiction (IA) is widespread, comorbid with other conditions, and commonly undetected, which may impede recovery. The Internet Addiction Test (IAT) is widely used to evaluate IA among healthy respondents, with less agreement on its dimensional structure. This study investigated the factor structure, invariance, predictive validity, criterion validity, and reliability of the IAT among Spanish women with eating disorders (EDs, N = 123), Chinese school children (N = 1072), and Malay/Chinese university students (N = 1119). In school children, four factors with eigen values > 1 explained 50.2% of the variance, with several items cross-loading on more than two factors and three items failing to load on any factor. Among 19 tested models, CFA revealed excellent fit of a unidimensional six-item IAT among ED women and university students (χ2(7) = 8.695, 35.038; p = 0.275, 0.001; CFI = 0.998, 981; TLI = 0.996, 0.960; RMSEA = 0.045, 0.060; SRMR = 0.0096, 0.0241). It was perfectly invariant across genders, academic grades, majors, internet use activities, nationalities (Malay vs. Chinese), and Malay/Chinese female university students vs. Spanish women with anorexia nervosa, albeit it was variant at the scalar level in tests involving other EDs, signifying increased tendency for IA in pathological overeating. The six-item IAT correlated with the effects of internet use on academic performance at a greater level than the original IAT (r = -0.106, p < 0.01 vs. r = -0.78, p < 0.05), indicating superior criterion validity. The six-item IAT is a robust and brief measure of IA in healthy and diseased individuals from different cultures.

Perceived quarantine competence, attitudes and practices among the public during the coronavirus pandemic: A Saudi descriptive study.

BACKGROUND: The unavailability of data on the long-term efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines and of effective specific treatment, in addition to the emergence of new COVID-19 variants, makes nonpharmaceutical measures a mainstay for preventing the spread of infection. The policy responses of governments to the pandemic should be integrated with public behavioral changes. This study examines public attitudes, practices and perceived quarantine competency in Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive design using an online survey was employed. Convenience and snowball sampling were adopted, and 1022 valid responses were received. FINDINGS: Most respondents demonstrated satisfactory practices, including wearing face masks (76.5%), keeping a safe distance (97.8%) and appropriate hand hygiene (99.2%). Fear of stigma (8.9%) and of financial consequences (0%) were minimal drivers of underreporting of symptoms among the respondents, whereas uncertainty of the relevance of symptoms (30.3%) was a main cause of not reporting to health authorities. Most participants (73.4%) abided by government instructions due to fear of infection rather than of legal penalties. Participants, especially females and Saudi citizens, reported a high level of perceived quarantine competence (12.9 ± 2.59). Spearman's rho correlation showed a significant positive association between wearing face masks and other precautionary practices, including keeping a safe distance (0.25, P < .01) and frequent handwashing (0.224, P < .01), which rules out the concern that wearing face masks would result in less adherence of the participants to other protective measures. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that COVID-19 awareness programs should focus more on males and non-Saudi populations. We also recommend the development of screening protocols and education programs for asthmatic patients in Saudi Arabia to avoid the consequences of confusing COVID-19 symptoms with those of asthma.