Perception of Risk, Severity of Disease and Preventive Behaviors of COVID-19 in a New Epidemic Situation among People in Samut Songkhram Province, Thailand

Abstract

The interesting scenario involving COVID-19's breakout in multiple nations is still serious in many areas of the world. This perceived risk can significantly increase compliance with COVID-19 prevention behaviors during the next pandemic. The purpose of this study was to explore how people perceive COVID-19 risk, disease severity, and COVID-19 prevention in Samut Songkhram province, Thailand. A study examined the relationship between people's perceptions of risk, COVID-19 severity, and COVID-19 prevention activity. The COVID-19 issue was the subject of this cross-sectional investigation, using a Geographic Information System. A cross-sectional study on perception of COVID-19 risk, disease severity, and COVID-19 prevention. Explore the relationship between the people's perception of COVID-19 risk, disease severity, and COVID-19 prevention behaviors. Descriptive statistics, such as frequency distribution methods, mean, standard deviation. Analytical statistics, such as correlation and multiple regression, were used to analyze the data. This study found that the female to male ratio is around 1:2. The age group with the most representation was 15-26 years old. The results showed that people's perception of COVID-19 risk had no relationship to COVID-19 preventive behaviors. People's perception of COVID-19 severity was shown to be significantly associated with COVID-19 prevention behaviors at 0.001. The multiple regression equation to estimate COVID-19 prevention behaviors in a new epidemic; P (the COVID-19 prevention) = 4.344 – 0.115 Female(X₁) + 0.141 Farmer(X₂) +0.356 Trading(X₃) + 0.733 Traveled to an endemic area(X₄) + 0.253 Age, 28-36 years(X₅) – 0.546 Age, 37-46 years(X₆) + 0.317 Age, 47-56 years(X₇) + 0.151 Age, >56 years(X₈) + 0.318 The perception of COVID-19 severity(X₉) – 0.092 The perceptions of COVID-19 risk(X₁₀). The results of this study will be used to establish an intervention model for encouraging and establishing effective COVID-19 preventive practices, as well as maintaining and continuing them.