Factors Affecting Behavior of Corona Virus Disease 2019 Prevention among Village Health Volunteers, Uttaradit Province

Abstract

This cross-sectional analytical research aimed to study behavior of Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) prevention and factors affecting behavior of COVID-19 prevention among village health volunteers. The sample consisted of 390 village health volunteers in Uttaradit Province. The research instruments included a personal characteristics questionnaire, a knowledge test regarding COVID-19 with a reliability of .72, an attitudes questionnaire toward COVID-19 with a reliability of .72, a health belief questionnaire regarding COVID-19 with the reliabilities in the range of .72–.94, and a COVID-19 prevention behavior questionnaire with a reliability of .86. Data were collected from April to July 2024. Statistics used for data analysis included frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, Pearson’s product-moment correlation, Chi-square test, and stepwise multiple regression analysis.

The research results revealed that most village health volunteers performed the overall behavior of COVID-19 prevention at a high level (95.64%). Attitudes toward COVID-19 prevention, perceived severity of COVID-19, and cue to action could statistically significantly predict behavior of COVID-19 prevention among village health volunteers, accounting for 24.40% of the variance (adj. R² = .244, p < .001). The most predictive factor was cue to action (Beta = .274, p < .001).

This research suggests that relevant agencies should utilize the findings to enhance the preparedness of village health volunteers for the prevention of emerging respiratory infectious diseases. This will help village health volunteers practice appropriate preventive behaviors.