Background Due to the absence of a vaccine of SARS-CoV-2 virus pandemic, the most effective way to reduce transmission of the virus is by applying social distancing practices. Exploring factors that determine whether people adopt social distancing measures is, therefore, critical to reducing the spread of the virus. This study aimed to investigate people’s intentions to socially distance based on the extended Theory of Planned Behavior. Methods A questionnaire was distributed to the sample population and collected through social media online and WhatsApp groups from March 26, 2020 to March 29, 2020. There were 823 analyzed out of 1870 responses. The extended TPB variables and risk perception were measured using a 7-point scale (scored from 1 to 7). Data were analyzed using the partial least squares (PLS) structural equation modeling method. Results Study found that the factors influencing the intention to perform social distancing were subjective norms and perceived behavior control. Risk perception affected attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control. Media exposure was found to determine attitudes, subjective norms, and risk perceptions. The relationship between attitudes and intentions, and media use and perceived behavior control were not significant. The better and effective risk communication that can change the level of risk perception, raise family and religious leader as well as increase to control behavior are the keys to people’s perform social distancing. Results from a multigroup analysis revealed that younger individuals showed a stronger relationship between the influence of risk perception and PBC and media use on risk perception. The predictive strength of subjective norms from risk perception and risk perception from media use was more strongly associated with rural populations. Conclusions The results of study provide an initial understanding of the level of the public’s risk perception to reduce the spread of SARS-CoV-2. Findings also revealed the role of media use in determining risk perception, attitudes and subjective norms and, in turn, change people’s intention to socially distance. This study may add to the literature of behavioral changes in pandemic and provide a framework for both policymakers and practitioners to formulate effective interventions in the future.

Given the importance of public disaster education, efforts have been made to integrate disaster risk reduction in the school system. Studies focusing on the effects of school disaster programs on actual preparedness and factors influencing preparedness behaviour, however, have been limited. The present study assesses the effectiveness of disaster risk education (DRR) in schools by comparing students in two junior high schools regarding action taken in earthquake preparedness and major factors of disaster preparedness such as risk knowledge, risk perception, critical awareness and attitude. Data on earthquake preparedness and other variables were collected from two junior high schools in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Participants were 124 students froma school adopting disaster risk reduction education and 115 students from a school not adopting it. Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) revealed that there was a significant difference in investigated variables among students although their level of actual preparedness was quite low. This study provided evidence that having a school adopting disaster risk reduction issues effectively enhanced knowledge, risk perception, critical awareness and attitude but limited in preparedness behaviour. Efforts should be taken by policy makers, teachers, and other stakeholders to develop public education in schools focusing on changes in preparedness behaviour.

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Background The novel SARS-CoV-2 virus pandemic has caused over a hundred thousand deaths and has affected countries and economies worldwide. Due to the absence of a vaccine, the most effective way to reduce transmission of the virus is by applying social distancing practices. Exploring factors that determine whether people adopt social distancing measures is, therefore, critical to reducing the spread of the virus. This study aimed to investigate people’s intentions to socially distance based on the extended Theory of Planned Behavior. An online survey of 823 individuals was conducted and their responses analyzed using partial least square structural equation modeling. Results Study found that the factors influencing the intention to perform social distancing were subjective norms and perceived behavior control. Risk perception affected attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control. Media exposure was found to determine attitudes, subjective norms, and risk perceptions. The relationship between attitudes and intentions, and media use and perceived behavior control were not significant. The better and effective risk communication that can change the level of risk perception, raise family and religious leader as well as increase to control behavior are the keys to people’s perform social distancing. Results from a multigroup analysis revealed partial differences across demographic variables. Younger individuals showed a stronger relationship between the influence of risk perception and PBC and media use on risk perception. The predictive strength of subjective norms from risk perception and risk perception from media use was more strongly associated with rural populations. Conclusions The results of study provide an initial understanding of the level of the public’s risk perception to reduce the spread of SARS-CoV-2. Findings also revealed the role of media use in determining risk perception, attitudes and subjective norms. Effective risk communication can change the level of risk perception, attitudes and subjective norms and, in turn, change people’s intention to socially distance. This study may add to the literature, as it explores notions of behavioral changes in the context of an infectious disease pandemic. These results provide a framework for both policymakers and practitioners to formulate interventions for effective social distancing practices in the future.

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