Perception, learning and related factors of Thai citizens’ toward Ebola virus disease (EVD) in 2015

Abstract

This descriptive research aimed to investigate Thai citizens’ perception of information on EVD, perception on threat appraisal and perception on coping response toward EVD, knowledge of EVD and attitude toward EVD prevention, EVD prevention behavior. This study also aimed to explore types and sources of information on EVD, opinion on information of EVD. Data collecting through questionnaire which quality was tested. The major study results found that perception of information on EVD, perception on threat appraisal, and perception on coping response of the respondents were in medium levels. Knowledge of EVD was in a high level. Attitude toward EVD prevention was in a medium level where as prevention behavior to EVD was in a low level. Types and sources of information on EVD, and opinions on information of EVD were in medium levels. There were some interesting findings such as ordinary people perceived the least in term of the way to treat EVD and people misunderstood the most in term of EVD do not have particular medicine to cure. Regarding source of information, television and cable TV were the sources that people perceived information through the most. Therefore, relevant organizations should use television and cable TV as major media to distribute information. In addition, presenting information in other type of media through various channels should be implemented in order to enhance accessibility to information in all age group of populations depend¬ing on their need and interest which will results in establishing public perception precisely.