Factors Related to Compliance with COVID-19 Preventive Behaviors among College Students: Application of Health Belief Model

Abstract

Objectives: This study aims to identify the factors influencing the performance of preventive behaviors, focusing on college students’ knowledge of COVID-19, health belief model, and educational needs for preventive behaviors. Methods: From November 14, 2022, to November 30, 2022, a convenience sample was extracted from college students in four regions, and 432 people were surveyed using an online questionnaire. Results: COVID-19 preventive behavior performance showed a positive correlation with knowledge, benefit, behavioral triggers, and preventive behavior education needs. The factors influencing COVID-19 preventive behavior performance were in the order: perceived benefit (B=0.670, p<0.01), behavioral trigger (B=0.345, p<0.01), knowledge (B=0.327, p<0.01), and educational needs for preventive behavior (B=0.245, p<0.01). The explanatory power was 35.1% (p<0.01). Conclusions: Basic data are provided to develop a program that can enhance college students’ health beliefs by emphasizing perceived benefits and behavioral triggers for COVID-19 and new infectious diseases, and improve prevention behavior by providing accurate knowledge about new infectious diseases.

Figures & Tables