FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH COVID-19 OUTBREAK PREVENTION BEHAVIOR AMONG VILLAGE HEALTH VOLUNTEERS IN CHIANG RAI, THAILAND

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) remains a public health concern in Thailand, posing significant risks to individuals with chronic illnesses and the elderly.  To reduce the spread of COVID-19, village health volunteers (VHVs) play a vital role in preventing and controlling diseases at the community level.  The cross-sectional study examined factors associated with COVID-19 prevention behavior among VHVs in Chiang Rai Province.  Participants (n = 362) were selected using a two-stage cluster random sampling method, and data were collected between June and August 2022 using a structured questionnaire.  The results showed that VHVs had a high level of COVID-19 prevention behavior, which was associated with knowledge of disease, perceived self-efficacy, work motivation, and social support.  Female VHVs exhibited significantly better prevention behavior than males (p-value <0.05).  To further maintain and reinforce VHVs’ COVID-19 prevention behavior, more training programs should be organized, and initiatives that foster self-efficacy, boost work motivation and offer ongoing social support should be implemented.