Personal protective behaviors in the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, Thailand
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59096/wesr.v55i9.3270Keywords:
COVID-19, self-protection behaviors, social distancing, mask-wearing, handwashingAbstract
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted health systems and economies worldwide. In the early stages of the outbreak, there were no specific treatments or effective vaccines, so successful disease control relied heavily on public adherence to non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) such as social distancing, wearing face masks, and hand hygiene. This study aimed to examine the self-protection behaviors of the Thai population during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a questionnaire adapted from the International Citizen Project Covid-19 (ICPcovid) to suit the Thai context. It examined epidemiological characteristics, risk factors, and self-protection behaviors. Data were collected via Google Form on March 24-25, 2020, and promoted through social media platforms such as LINE, Facebook, WhatsApp, and the Department of Disease Control website.
Results: Of the 146,087 respondents nationwide, 72% were female, and 60% were over 40 years old. Healthcare workers (HCWs) accounted for 14% of the sample. The most common self-protection behaviors under the DMHT guidelines were wearing masks (94%), handwashing (91%), social distancing (65%), and self-monitoring of body temperature (29%). HCWs exhibited better self-protection behaviors than the general population. Males, younger individuals, students, and smokers were less likely to follow protective measures.
Conclusion: Disease control through NPIs, especially in specific settings like schools or among populations with risky behaviors, requires tailored measures and targeted risk communication to improve self-protection behaviors in these groups.
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