Factors Influencing Preventive Behavior against Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) among Medically Inclined College Students

Abstract

Purpose: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), an emerging infectious disease introduced in South Korea in 2020. Medically inclined college students are more susceptible to be infected by the virus. The purpose of this study was to investigate factors influencing preventive behavior against COVID-19 among medically inclined college students.Methods: This is a cross-sectional study using a questionnaire survey. Data were collected from 400 medically inclined college students from four colleges of medice. Independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficients and multiple regression analysis were conducted to analysis the data.Results: The study subjects had high knowledge and optimism related to COVID-19. Preventive behavior against COVID-19 was affected mostly by attitude (β=.32, <i>p</i><.001). Such behavior was also high in relation to knowledge (β=.17, <i>p</i><.001), and nursing students (β=.15, <i>p</i>=.002).Conclusion: Infection prevention education for medically inclined college students mainly focuses on knowledge transfer. Infection preventive education programs aimed at improving COVID-19 optimistic attitudes and knowledge are helpful for these students to maintain appropriate preventive practices. The confirmation of the importance of optimistic attitudes and risk perception toward infectious diseases through this study can provide insight into infection prevention education programs to improve practice to wards new epidemic prevention behaviors.

Effects of Health Belief, Knowledge, and Attitude toward COVID-19 on Prevention Behavior in Health College Students

“…The total score ranged from 0 to 10 points, with a higher score indicating a more positive attitude toward overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic. The Cronbach's α was 0.82 in the study by Kim et al [17] and 0.77 in this study.…”

“…COVID-19 knowledge was evaluated using a 15-item tool developed by Taghrir et al [16] for medical students based on the diagnosis and treatment protocol of the National Health Commission of China, and modified and supplemented by Kim et al [17]. The tool consisted of 15 items in total, including five items on public prevention behaviors for COVID-19, two items for infection route, two items for prevention and treatment as a health care professional, four items for etiology and symptoms, and two items for definition and diagnosis.…”

Factors Influencing the Preventive Practice of International Students in South Korea against COVID-19 during the Pandemic

“…In previous studies about infectious diseases, including Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) [12] and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) [13], the knowledge and attitudes were found to be correlating variables with preventive practice. A few KAP studies on COVID-19 reported similar findings, and most of them were conducted on native college or university students majoring in nursing or medicine [14][15][16], which may be not be generalizable to international students. Moreover, very few studies have explored the relationship between trust in a quarantine system and preventive practice.…”

Healthcare Safety Nets during the COVID-19 Pandemic Based on Double Diamond Model: A Concept Analysis

“…Additionally, nurses contribute to providing a better working environment by providing emotional support through education to employees who are concerned about being infected with the virus themselves [49]. Therefore, a healthcare education system that can enhance the level of knowledge about COVID-19, actively practice prevention activities [50], and increase patient participation must be implemented [44].…”