Health-Risk Behaviors, COVID-19 Preventive Behaviors, and the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Working-Age Population of Bangkok, Thailand

Abstract

Although studies have extensively discussed the effects of COVID-19 on global health behaviors, little is known about the extent of COVID-19 preventive behaviors and their negative effects on the working-age population of Bangkok, Thailand. Therefore, this study aimed to examine health-risk behaviors, COVID-19 preventive behaviors, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic among the Thai working-age population. An online cross-sectional survey was conducted among working-age adults through a self-administered questionnaire. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics and stepwise multiple regression. Of the 313 Thai participants (227 females, 72.5%), 84.0% had high levels of health-risk behaviors for preventing COVID-19 infection, most respondents (89.1%) had high levels of knowledge about COVID-19, and most respondents (61.7%) had high levels of overall COVID-19 preventive behaviors. Stepwise multiple regression revealed that health-risk behaviors (β = 0.445), knowledge of COVID-19 (β = 0.148), gender (β = 0.145), and age (β = 0.133) were predictive of COVID-19 preventive behaviors. Additionally, most respondents (48.9%) had moderate overall effects from COVID-19. Based on our findings, these factors must be considered when implementing public policies to improve COVID-19 preventive behaviors among the currently employed working-age population. In addition, appropriate interventions must be established and evaluated for the pandemic’s long-term effects.

Factors-Factors Influencing The Behavior of Preventing The Transmission of Covid-19 Students

“…This research is in line with research on students in northwestern Ethiopia which stated that students with good knowledge implemented Covid-19 prevention measures better [AOR: 5.173 95% CI: (2.276,11.755)] than students who had no knowledge (Yesuf & Abdu, 2021). This research is also in line with research that describes high knowledge about Covid-19 (β = 0.148) in the working-age population in Thailand influencing better Covid-19 prevention behavior and is very important in fighting the Covid-19 pandemic (Nanthamongkolchai, Taechaboonsermsak, Tawatting, & Suksatan, 2022).…”

Determinants of the Health-Promoting Behaviors Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults with Non-communicable Diseases During the Post-Covid-19 Era

“…As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, people worldwide are currently experiencing stress and suffering (8). Despite the development of vaccines to prevent its spread and infection, the number of COVID-19-related deaths and infections in some countries continues to rise.…”

“…Moreover, the number of COVID-19 mutations is high (Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, and Omicron variants), with the strain capable of evading immunity acquired through vaccination, making it easily bypass an individual's humoral immune response (9), particularly in older adults with NCDs. However, several countries, including Thailand, have also attempted to prevent and control the spread of COVID-19 by promoting health behaviors (e.g., hand-washing, mask-wearing, social distancing, self-isolation, avoiding crowded places, and vaccination) (8). Consequently, under the critical condition of the "new normal" post-COVID-19 era, good health-promoting behavior for older adults is essential for self-care and disease prevention.…”

“…Social support exerts a substantive influence on the comprehension and adoption of self-care regimens and health behaviors among older adults (16). This influence assumes heightened importance amidst the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, wherein constraints on the accessibility of trustworthy informational outlets can rapidly mold their behavioral patterns (8). Hence, guaranteeing the availability of COVID-19 preventive resources for older adults emerges as a matter of utmost significance (19), encompassing facilitating access to indispensable health-related guidance encompassing facets such as physical exercise, dietary practices, preventive protocols, and vaccination initiatives (21).…”

The Influence of Social, Political, and Social Media on COVID-19 Risk Communication and Health Behaviour in Thailand

“…For example, COVID-19 vaccination, social distancing and avoiding physically direct face-to-face contact with elderly people [19] , taking necessary vitamins, saving food for an emergency case, checking the condition when they have similar symptoms, coughing into an elbow, etc. [20] Numerous studies have highlighted the connection between risk communication, risk perception and behavior related to health protection [21][22][23]. This research aims to examine the various factors that significantly influence an individual's understanding and perception of risk, which ultimately impact their health protection behavior.…”