Knowledge, attitude and behavior in protective behaviors from COVID-19 infection among the elderly People Living in Tha Mafai Wan, Kaeng Khro, Chaiyaphum

Abstract

This study was correlational descriptive research. The objectives of the study were to explore knowledge, attitudes, and protective behaviors toward the Corona Virus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and examine the relationship between personal factors, knowledge, and attitudes about the COVID-19 and the protective behaviors from COVID-19 infection among older adults. A total of 887 native habitat community-dwelling older adults at Tha Ma Fai Wan Sub-district, Kaeng Khro District, Chaiyaphum Province were selected using stratified random sampling method. Thus, the sample in this study were 350. The content validity of the questionnaire was between .67-1.00 and its reliability was between .71 -.90. Data were collected from July - to September 2021. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation, inferential statistics, Chi-Square Test, and Spearman Rank Correlation Coefficient. The results showed that older adults had a highest level of knowledge toward COVID-19 ( Mean = 12. 42; S. D. = 1. 87) , perceived a highest level of attitudes with COVID-19 ( Mean = 6. 02; S. D. = 1. 94) , and protective behaviors toward the COVID-19 was at good level (Mean = 12.06; S.D. = 2.81). Also, it was found that occupation (x^2= 37.87, p < .01) and satisfaction on adequacy of income and expenditure (x^2= 47.59, p < .01) were correlated to protective behaviors toward the COVID-19 with a statistical significance. Moreover, attitudes with COVID-19 had a positively correlated with the protective behaviors toward the COVID-19 with statistically significant (rs = .58, p < .01) The recommendation from the findings is that healthcare providers should enhance positive attitude attitude on disease control and prevention among older adults to gain understanding in how to protect themselves against amidst COVID-19 pandemic.