Abstract: Background: COVID-19 (CoronaVirus disease 2019) is a new highly contagious respiratory disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. SARS-CoV-2 is thought to spread from person to person through droplets released when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. COVID-19 was announced by the World Health Organization (WHO) to be a Public Health Emergency of Concern. This infection is considered to be a top priority for WHO and many countries due to how fast the infection spreads and how it is spread. However, COVID-19 is still considered to be less severe than previous viral infections. Many people who caught the virus can be carriers and spread while not showing any symptoms.
Objective: To assess knowledge, attitude, and COVID-19 prevention behavior
Design/ Methodology: Grade 10-12 students from Saint Joseph School, Bangkok, Thailand were invited to participate in completing an online questionnaire.COVID-19 related knowledge, attitudes toward preventive behavior, and COVID-19 preventive behavior were assessed. Differences between outcomes and socio-demographics were analyzed through independent t-test and the ANOVA. A generalized linear model was calculated to determine the predictive variables of preventive behaviors.
Methods and Materials: This was a cross-sectional observational study. An online questionnaire was purposely developed and available through Google From between January and June 2021. All students from Grade 10 to Grade 12 of Saint Joseph Convent School (English Program), Bangkok, Thailand were eligible for this study and were invited to participate in the study. The invitation was sent to classroom social media groups (to make sure that all eligible for this study receive an equal chance to participate in the study) The students have access to classroom social media groups, so they all receive an invitation. In this invitation, information about the objectives of the study as well as the ethical guarantee of confidentiality and anonymity in the data collected as stated in the informed consent was explained. Participation was completely free and voluntary, and no personal data were collected from any participant. Of the 180 students, a total of 125 students participated in the study (response rate: 69.4%). This research uses an anonymous data collection method to collect data from grade 10 to 12 Students of Saint Joseph Convent School, Bangkok, Thailand, by using Google form. The invitation was sent to classroom social media groups. In these invitations, information about the study's objectives and the ethical guarantee of confidentiality and anonymity in the data collected as stated in the informed consent was explained. Participation was completely free and voluntary, and no personal data were collected from any participant. The analysis was performed using SPSS for Windows, version 26.
Results: A total of 125 students participated. Students showed a high level of knowledge about COVID-19, correctly answered 4.18 out of 5 questions (SD=0.83), their attitudes towards preventing the spread of COVID-19 scored 12.87 out of 15 (SD=1.29), attitude towards supporting environment scored 12.91 out of 15 (SD=1.49), and behavior towards preventing COVID-19 transmission scored 36.02 out of 50 (SD=4.80). Students’ behavior and attitude towards supporting the environment have a significant correlation. Attitude toward Environment support and guideline was a predictive factor for COVID-19 preventive behavior adoption (Exp (B) = 0.221, p<0.01).
Conclusion: A total of 125 students participated in the study and showed a high level of knowledge and attitudes towards preventing COVID-19 along with environmental support scores. However, their behavior did not correspond. Their behaviors revealed medium levels. Attitudes towards preventing COVID-19 had a positive correlation with COVID-19 preventive behaviors. The generalized Linear Model also revealed that attitudes were a predictive factor towards COVID-19 preventive behavior. Therefore, the best method to make sure that the students will exhibit COVID-19 preventive behaviors is to reinforce strict rules and guidelines for them to follow.
Keywords: COVID-19, Preventive behavior, High School students.
Title: Knowledge, Attitudes, and Preventive Behavior of COVID-19 among High School Students
Author: Leelapa Piyachotisukij
International Journal of Healthcare Sciences
ISSN 2348-5728 (Online)
Research Publish Journals
