Knowledge, attitudes, and preventive behaviors toward coronavirus disease-19: A study among high school students in Bangkok

Abstract

Background: Breaking the chain of infection is the process that is controlled by the infection control and contact tracing to inhibit infections of pathogens in more people which can be done by stopping the cycle of chain of infection. To prevent coronavirus disease (COVID)-19 from further spreading, breaking the chain of infection is required. In addition, in the chain of infection, the last key point is the factors that affect the behavior in disease transmission prevention of COVID-19. Research has shown that good knowledge and a positive attitude have contributed to a behavior that would prevent this disease. One of the most important actions that need to be taken to break the chain of infection is to set a healthy behavior in each individual. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors about COVID-19 among high school students in Bangkok. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted using a questionnaire. A total of 177 students participated. COVID-19-related knowledge, attitudes toward COVID-19, and preventive behaviors were assessed. Differences between outcomes and sociodemographic were analyzed through independent t-test and the ANOVA. Preventive behaviors were analyzed by a generalized linear model. Results: Students revealed good knowledge about COVID-19, correctly answering 5.22 (SD = 1.57) questions in a total of 7, good attitudes toward preventive behaviors in the presence of rules 9.06 (SD = 2.12) and good attitudes toward preventive behaviors without the presence of rules 9.48 (SD = 2.36), and good preventive behavior 33.91 (SD = 6.06), question in a total of 47. There are statistically significant positive correlations shown: between attitudes toward preventive behaviors with the presence of rules and preventive behaviors (Exp (B) = 0.521, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.0–0.99, P < 0.05) and between attitude toward preventive behavior without the presence of rules and preventive behaviors (Exp(B) = 0.584, 95% CI: 0.14–1.02, P < 0.05. Conclusion: This study revealed high knowledge about COVID-19, positive attitudes toward preventive behaviors in the presence and absence of rules, and high preventive behaviors in high school students of International Community School, Bangkok, Thailand. Furthermore, it indicates that there is a causal relationship between attitudes toward COVID-19 in the absence of rules and preventive behaviors. Thus, attitudes toward COVID-19 in the absence of rules are a major predictive factor of having preventive behaviors. Therefore, to promote preventive behaviors, accurate knowledge about COVID-19 should be given consistently by the school. To build up the same positive attitudes in the absence of rules as in this research, teachers and staff should show a sense of trust to students since this may form preventive behaviors in students.