Effective COVID-19 preventive measures for Thai residents in environmental risk areas and significant determinants of self-preventive behaviors

Abstract

This study aimed to identify effective COVID-19 preventive measures and significant determinants of self-preventive behaviors (SPBs) among Thais residing in environmental risk area. The populations comprised 1130 residents from five province located in the highest level of environmental risk exposure area in Thailand. A structured questionnaire was employed to indicate the COVID-19 preventive behaviors. The difference of preventive behaviors between COVID-19 positive and negative residents was analyzed using the t-test and then significant determinants of SPBs were examined using path analysis. The results showed that of 9 SPBs, 5 types including wearing facial masks, keeping social distancing, practicing hand washing, avoiding contacting people with COVID symptoms and using alcohol or hand sanitizer spray among noninfected participants were higher than among COVID-19 positive participants. For the result of path analysis, trust and attitude toward adherence to preventive behaviors was indicated as the greatest direct effect on SPBs. In addition, trust in the government's recommendations for self-prevention and knowledge about self-prevention had the most and second most total effects on SPBs, respectively. This finding suggested that effective COVID-19 measures of SPBs among residents were recommended by the Thai government with daily broadcasts on public television and social media. The combined concepts of infectious control and environmental management could be implemented to effectively control cases in highly polluted cities to improve resilience related to COVID-19 prevention.