The Knowledge, Attitude and COVID-19 Preventive Behavior of People in Ratchaburi Province

Abstract

Background - Covid19 is an infectious disease caused by the newly discovered
coronavirus. It led to the declaration of the world pandemic by the World Health
Organization.
Purpose - The purpose of this study is to assess the knowledge, attitudes, behaviors
about COVID-19 among Ratchaburi residents who have access to Line and Facebook in
Thailand.
Design/ Methods: Cross-sectional online survey between February-April 2021.
Ratchaburi the people of who belong to local social media groups were invited to participate
in completing an online questionnaire. A total of 400 people participated. Knowledge
and attitudes tavaras COVID-19 and preventive behaviors were assessed. Differences between
outcomes and sociodemographics were analyzed through an independent t-test,
and the ANOVA. A generalized linear model was calculated to determine the predictive
variables of preventive behaviors.
Participants: 400 Ratchaburi participants who have access to social media (Line
and Facebook)
Results - Participants reveal a good level of knowledge, correctly answering 4.14
(SD 0.72) questions in a total of 5 and favorable attitude towards preventive behavior
(M=12.42, SD=0.89). Preventive behavior presents at moderate levels (M=42.89, SD=5.51)
people at age 50-59 have good COVID19 related knowledge and preventive behavior.
Males present a higher level of knowledge than women but with a lower level of positive
attitude and preventive behavior. People with Master degrees and above showed the
highest level of knowledge while highschool educated people had the lowest level of
knowledge.
Original value - This study provides useful data to plan health education programs
and preventive action for COVID-19 in the Ratchaburi province. The continuous development
by the provincial public health in preventive campaigning is necessary to promote
good preventive behaviors in the community.
Limitation - This study used an online questionnaire so only urban people who have
access to the Internet with Line and Facebook accounts can participate. This research was
conducted after the second wave of covid-19 in Thailand.