The Attitude and Behavior Related to Social Distancing as Prevention Transmission of Coronavirus Disease 19 among Adolescents Living in Coastal Area of Indonesia

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The majority of adolescents living in the coastal area are Muslim who has a habit of carrying out worship and cultural activities in the congregation. They are in the school-age period and have received sufficient information about social distancing as prevention of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) transmission. AIM: This study aimed to explore the attitude and behavior related to social distancing in response to prevent COVID-19 transmission among adolescents living in the coastal area, Indonesia. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study that invited adolescents in the coastal area, Madura, East Java, Indonesia, as participants. Data were collected conveniently through an online questionnaire. Univariate and bivariate analyses were performed for the analysis of the data. RESULTS: A total of 224 participants completed the survey. A number of participants disagreed to certain attitudes related to social distancing including praying from home (21%), wearing a mask (15%), and not organizing mass gathering events (9%). Furthermore, as many as 44% of participants refused to facilitate infected people to do self-isolation. CONCLUSION: The attitudes related to the social distancing of adolescents living in the coastal area might be influenced by culture and Islam reference. Therefore, a religious approach is considered important to be involved in the preparation of strategic actions in preventing the transmission of COVID-19 through social distancing. The refusal of participants to isolate an infected person might be caused by a limited knowledge about COVID-19 prevention. The related institutions need to conduct a major health socialization to prevent COVID-19 transmission through social distancing.