Perceived Risks, Perceived Barriers and Preventive Behaviors on The Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) among Pregnant Women at Southern Border provinces

Abstract

Pregnant women and their fetuses are at risk from coronavirus 2019 ( COVID-19) . However, there is no empirical evidence about Thai pregnant women’s Perceived Risks, Perceived Barriers and Preventive Behaviors on The Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19). This study aimed to examine the relationship between Perceived Risks, Perceived Barriers and Preventive Behaviors on The Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) among Pregnant Women at Southern Border provinces. The instruments of this study included: (1) The demographic data questionnaire (2) The Perceived Risks in Pregnancy Scale (3) The Perceived Barriers in pregnancy Scale (4) The Preventive Behaviors in Pregnancy Scale. The participants included 127 pregnant women at Pattani Province, Yala Province, and Narathiwat Province, Using online questionnaires via google forms. during March 1th, to March 16th 2021 Participants were recruited using convenience sampling. The results showed that the average perceived risks score was 71.24 (S.D.= 7.68) This indicated a high level of perceived risks on 5 levels of very low, low, moderate, high and very high. The average perceived barriers score was 43.52 (S.D.= 8.85) This indicated a moderate level of perceived barriers on 5 levels of very low, low, moderate, high and very high. The average score on behavior was 78.9 (S.D. = 6.56). This score also indicated a high level of behavior based on 5 levels similar to the perceived risks test and perceived barriers test. Based on Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient, perceived risks, was significantly correlated with preventive behaviors (r = .294, p < .001) and perceived barriers, was non-significantly correlated with preventive behaviors (r = .068, p = .447) It is suggested that health education about coronavirus, especially on the topic of Perceived Barriers to preventive on The Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19). In addition, this study should be conducted with pregnant women living in rural areas.