The effectiveness of the protection motivation theory incorporated with social support program on preventive behaviors for dengue fever among upper primary school students in Mueng District, Phichit Province

Abstract

     This quasi-experimental research aimed to explore the effectiveness of the protection motivation theory incorporated with social support programs on preventive behaviors for dengue fever among upper primary school students in Mueng District, Phichit Province. The sample consisted of 66 students, which were selected through a purposive sampling technique. The sample was divided into 33 students in the experimental group and another 33 in the control group. The experimental group received the program for all six activities, namely danger near, let's know the risks, root cause, miraculous herbal red plaster, healthy by ourselves, and knowing how to be safe, which participated in the seven-week program with a follow-up in week 10. The control group attended classes according to the regular curriculum. Data was collected using a questionnaire developed by the researcher. Statistical analysis was performed using descriptive statistics, an independent samples t-test, and a one-way repeated ANOVA with the Bonferroni method.
     The results showed that after the intervention, the mean scores of perceived severity, perceived vulnerability, perceived self-efficacy, perceived response efficacy, and prevention behavior for dengue fever in the experimental group were statistically higher than when measured before the program. Also, the post-program scores in the experimental group were significantly higher than the control group (p-value < 0.05). Therefore, schools or relevant units should organize activities to motivate students combined with social support from teachers and friends, such as materials, money, and the workforce, which promote proper and appropriate behavioral change in preventing dengue fever among students.