Knowledge of COVID-19 and Its Relationship with Preventive Behaviors and Vaccination among Adults in Northern Thailand’s Community

Tharadon Pothisa, Parichat Ong-Artborirak, Katekaew Seangpraw, Prakasit Tonchoy, Supakan Kantow, Nisarat Auttama, Sorawit Boonyathee, Monchanok Choowanthanapakorn, Sasivimol Bootsikeaw, Pitakpong Panta and Dech Dokpuang
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Tharadon Pothisa: School of Medicine, University of Phayao, Phayao 56000, Thailand
Parichat Ong-Artborirak: Faculty of Public Health, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
Katekaew Seangpraw: School of Public Health, University of Phayao, Phayao 56000, Thailand
Prakasit Tonchoy: School of Public Health, University of Phayao, Phayao 56000, Thailand
Supakan Kantow: School of Public Health, University of Phayao, Phayao 56000, Thailand
Nisarat Auttama: School of Public Health, University of Phayao, Phayao 56000, Thailand
Sorawit Boonyathee: School of Medicine, University of Phayao, Phayao 56000, Thailand
Monchanok Choowanthanapakorn: School of Public Health, University of Phayao, Phayao 56000, Thailand
Sasivimol Bootsikeaw: School of Public Health, University of Phayao, Phayao 56000, Thailand
Pitakpong Panta: School of Nursing, University of Phayao, Phayao 56000, Thailand
Dech Dokpuang: School of Allied Health Sciences, University of Phayao, Phayao 56000, Thailand

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 3, 1-14

Abstract: (1) Background: the 2019 coronavirus disease outbreak (COVID-19) has posed a major threat to public health and had a significant impact on all areas of people’s lives. Vaccines against COVID-19 have been developed to control the disease, and an array of personal hygiene measures has been introduced. As a result, information that will support and promote vaccination among populations as well as other health measures against COVID-19 are urgently needed. The goal of this research was to look into the knowledge about COVID-19 and how it relates to preventive behaviors and vaccination among people living in rural areas of northern Thailand. (2) Methods: a cross-sectional study was performed in four upper northern provinces of Thailand. A total of 1524 participants were recruited using the probability sampling technique. Questionnaires were distributed to collect data on general health information, as well as knowledge and preventive behaviors regarding COVID-19. (3) Results: more than half (55.9%) of the participants were female and had not received the COVID-19 vaccine (67.2%). Their mean age was 44.13 years. The majority had moderate COVID-19 knowledge and engaged in preventive behaviors (65.5% and 42.0%, respectively). A linear regression model showed that the COVID-19 knowledge score was related to the COVID-19 preventive behaviors score, with a standardized coefficient of 0.510, after adjusting for age, underlying disease, and body mass index (B = 2.64; 95%CI = 2.42, 2.87). Binary logistic regression revealed that after controlling for age, education, occupation, financial status, and current disease (AOR = 1.87; 95%CI = 1.64–2.13), the score of COVID-19 knowledge was significantly associated with having the COVID-19 vaccine. (4) Discussion: knowledge of COVID-19 is very important for people in rural regions to engage in COVID-19 prevention behaviors and vaccination. Relevant government agencies and health network partners should support proactive education campaigns emphasizing the risk of contracting the disease and its severity in order to promote vaccination against COVID-19 among unvaccinated groups. These campaigns can highlight COVID-19’s positive benefit-risk balance in the short and long term and ensure public safety measures against COVID-19.

Keywords: knowledge; preventive behaviors; COVID-19 vaccine; adults; northern Thailand (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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