Background The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) with its high mortality, stigma and panic has compelled many cities and countries to complete lockdown. The worldwide student group is one of the most affected and vulnerable communities in this situation. Our current study aimed to assess the impact of the behavior change communication among international students in China in current COVID-19 crisis.Methods In this paper, we have utilized partial least squares-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to understand the health behaviour changes of international students in China in response to novel Coronavirus outbreak. We mainly analyzed the relationship among the three selected latent variables (preventive, supportive and awareness building) based on a survey among the international students (n=467) in China in February 2020. We obtained their valuable responses regarding level of awareness, satisfaction and trust in authorities (i.e., government, local authorities and institutions) during this emergency period. Results We utilized 22 indicators in the conceptual framework model with the help of Smart PLS 2.0 version software. The lowest average variance extracted (AVE) for all the constructs of our paper exceeded the minimum accepted value of 0.5, representing the adequate convergent validity. Prediction of students’ satisfaction, the key outcome degree of the model, was nearly moderate, with an R2 = 0.507 whereas the prediction of trust in authorities was above substantial, with an R2 = 0.797. Therefore, our PLS-SEM model showed a strong and significant positive association between preventive and supportive measures taken for the study population and gaining trust, awareness and satisfaction in authorities. Conclusions Integrated partial least squares-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) can be a great way to measure the satisfaction and trust level of various population groups over government, local authorities, and institutions in public health emergency like COVID-19 crisis. We believe that our findings are important for travel and global health perspectives. Other countries can learn and take necessary initiatives for their international students and general public to halt this deadly epidemic with gaining their satisfaction and trust as well.

Background:To prevent dissemination of COVID-19 among international students in China, educational institutions promptly took various preventive, supportive and awareness building measures like restricting outdoor activities, wearing mask, every day health reporting and so on. Success of such behavioral change campaigns largely depends on awareness building, satisfaction and trust on the authorities. The objective of this current study is to evaluate the preventive, supportive and awareness building measures taken for the international students in China during COVID-19 pandemic which will be helpful in designing such behavioral change campaign in other parts of the world in the future pandemic situation.Methods:In this study, we have evaluated how the level of awareness, satisfaction, and trust in authorities (i.e., government, local authorities, and institutions) shapes the behavior and close interconnection each other. Simple bivariate statistics was used to describe the background characteristics of the respondents along with adoption of the partial least squares-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) as the final model to show the association between the variables.Results:Our study findings showed the great impact of preventive and supportive measures in the development of students’ satisfaction (R2 = 0.507 indicating moderate relationship). The satisfied students possessed a strong influence which eventually helped in building sufficient trust on their institutions (R2 = 0.797 indicating above substantial relationship). The extents of the R2 values were found significant in our model. Moreover, present study provides insight views of the selected latent variables by counteracting the interaction among them.Conclusions:The worldwide student group is one of the most affected and vulnerable communities in this situation. So, there is a profound ground of research on how different states or authorities handle such situation. In this study we have depicted the types and magnitude of care taken by Chinese government and educational institutions towards international students to relieve the panic of pandemic situation. Further research and such initiatives should be taken in to consideration for future emerging conditions.

Background: Public awareness campaigns and behavioral change campaigns are a necessary basis to facilitate and motivate the use of preventive measures. During this COVID-19 pandemic, how the Chinese government handled this vulnerable situation through enhancing behavior change communication among international students is a research interest. The objective of this current study is to evaluate the preventive, supportive and awareness building measures adopted among international students in China in response to this deadly pandemic. Method and methodology: In this study, we have evaluated how the level of awareness, satisfaction, and trust in authorities (i.e., government, local authorities, and institutions) shapes the behavior and close interconnection each other. Simple bivariate statistics was used to describe the background characteristics of the respondents along with adoption of the partial least squares-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) as the final model to show the association between the variables. Results: Our study findings showed the great impact of preventive and supportive measures in the development of students’ satisfaction. The satisfied students possessed a strong influence which eventually helped in building sufficient trust on their institutions. Moreover, present study provides insight views of the selected latent variables by counteracting the interaction among them. Conclusions: The worldwide student group is one of the most affected and vulnerable communities in this situation. So there is a profound ground of research on how different states or authorities handle such situation. In this study we have depicted the types and magnitude of care taken by Chinese government and educational institutions towards international students to relieve the panic of pandemic situation. Further research and such initiatives should be taken in to consideration for future emerging conditions.

Background:Public awareness campaigns and behavioral change campaigns are a necessary basis to facilitate and motivate the use of preventive measures. During this COVID-19 pandemic, how the Chinese government handled this vulnerable situation through enhancing behavior change communication among international students is a research interest. The objective of this current study is to evaluate the preventive, supportive and awareness building measures adopted among international students in China in response to this deadly pandemic.Method and methodology:In this study, we have evaluated how the level of awareness, satisfaction, and trust in authorities (i.e., government, local authorities, and institutions) shapes the behavior and close interconnection each other. Simple bivariate statistics was used to describe the background characteristics of the respondents along with adoption of the partial least squares-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) as the final model to show the association between the variables.ResultsOur study findings showed the great impact of preventive and supportive measures in the development of students’ satisfaction. The satisfied students possessed a strong influence which eventually helped in building sufficient trust on their institutions. Moreover, present study provides insight views of the selected latent variables by counteracting the interaction among them.Conclusions:The worldwide student group is one of the most affected and vulnerable communities in this situation. So there is a profound ground of research on how different states or authorities handle such situation. In this study we have depicted the types and magnitude of care taken by Chinese government and educational institutions towards international students to relieve the panic of pandemic situation. Further research and such initiatives should be taken in to consideration for future emerging conditions.

Background: Education institutions promptly implemented a set of steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19 among international Chinese students, such as restrictive physical exercise, mask wear, daily health reporting, etc. Success of such behavioral change campaigns largely depends on awareness building, satisfaction and trust on the authorities. The purpose of this current study is to assess the preventive, supportive and awareness-building steps taken during the COVID-19 pandemic for international students in China, that will be useful for planning such a behavioral change campaign in the potential pandemic situation in other parts of the world. Methods: We conducted an online-based e-questionnaire survey among 467 international students in China through WeChat. The data collection duration was from February 20, 2020 to March 10, 2020 and we focused on their level of awareness, satisfaction, and trust in authorities regarding pandemic measures. Simple bivariate statistics was used to describe the background characteristics of the respondents along with adoption of the partial least squares-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) as the final model to demonstrate the relationship between the variables. Results: In our study, the leading group of the respondents were within 31 to 35 years’ age group (39.82%), male (61.88%), living single (58.24%) and doctoral level students (39.8%). The preventive and supportive measures taken by students and/or provided by the respective institution or authorities were positively related to students’ satisfaction and had an acceptable strength (β = 0.611, t = 9.679, p < 0.001). The trust gained in authorities also showed an acceptable strength (β = 0.381, t = 5.653, p < 0.001) with a positive direction. Again, the personnel awareness building related to both students’ satisfaction (β = 0.295, t = 2.719, p < 0.001) and trust gain (β = 0.131, t = 1.986, p < 0.05) in authorities had a positive and acceptable intensity. Therefore, our study clearly demonstrates the great impact of preventive and supportive measures in the development of students’ satisfaction (R2 = 0.507 indicating moderate relationship). The satisfied students possessed a strong influence which eventually helped in building sufficient trust on their institutions (R2 = 0.797 indicating above substantial relationship). Conclusions: The worldwide student group is one of the most affected and vulnerable communities in this situation. So, there is a profound ground of research on how different states or authorities handle such situation. In this study, we have depicted the types and magnitude of care taken by Chinese government and educational institutions towards international students to relieve the panic of pandemic situation. Further research and such initiatives should be taken in to consideration for future emerging conditions.