A perception of COVID-19 and self-protection behavior of Thai people in rural communities

Abstract

This research was aimed to (1) study the perception of COVID-19 of Thai people in rural communities; (2) compare their perception among sexes and age groups using Q-methodology; and (3) to study their self-protection behaviors and the relationships of their COVID-19 perceptions and self-protection behaviors. The study process comprised (1) three focus group interviews, and (2) the data collection from 64 samples with balanced numbers of sexes and age groups. Three sets of research instruments were used (1) open-ended questions for focus group interview; (2) COVID-19 Perception questionnaire; a Q-sort questions developed by researchers, based on Health Belief Model and the information obtained from focus group interviews; and (3) Self-Protection Behavior questionnaire, a three-level rating scale. The results revealed that COVID-19 perception on five domains of Health Belief Model which obtained highest score were relevant with family e.g., on Perceived severity domain, “If I get COVID-19 my family will be in trouble.”; Perceived benefits, “I will do everything for the safety of my family members.” It was found that Thai people in rural communities have self-protection behaviors much appropriate in general. Women had higher Self-protection behavior scores than men and people in age-group > 60 had highest Self-protection behavior scores. Negative relationships were found between Perceived barriers and Self-protection behaviors in general and two other domains. A conclusion that Thai people in rural communities gave priority to family can be used as the key message on health campaign against COVID-19 and other emerging diseases in the future.