title: Public perceptions and attitudes to biological risks: Saudi Arabia and regional perspectives.
abstract: Saudi Arabia has experienced frequent occurrences of biological disasters due to a wide range of generator factors, including natural disasters and epidemics. A national survey (n=1,164) was conducted across 13 regions of Saudi Arabia to examine public perceptions to the risk of a biological disaster. The primary results reveal: (a) a degree of knowledge about biological threats such as SARS and H5N1 flu, despite the lack of individual experience with disasters; (b) age, gender, education and faith are positively related to the perception of biological risk; and (c) a number of important community resilience factors exist, including faith, education and willingness. This study concludes that the development of adapted resilience strategies in disaster management can be achieved through public education and training involving cooperation with official organisations and religious authorities in the country to increase public awareness, knowledge and skills in mitigating biological threats.
authors.affiliation: PhD Candidate, School of Engineering, Cardiff University, United Kingdom. Alshehris1@cardiff.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Saud Ali
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Alshehri
authors.affiliation: Professor, School of Engineering, Cardiff University, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Yacine
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Rezgui
authors.affiliation: Senior Lecturer, School of Engineering, Cardiff University, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Haijiang
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D054045:Biological Warfare Agents; D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000523:psychology*; D004189:Disaster Planning; D004190:Disasters; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010465:Perception; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012067:Religion; D012529:Saudi Arabia; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D054045:Biological Warfare Agents
keywords: Saudi Arabia; biological threats; disasters; public perception; risks