COVID-19 information exposure, preventive health behavior, and perceived effect

Abstract

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak has spread across the world. While there is no vaccine available, preventive health behavior is preferable. This study empirically investigated the COVID-19 information exposure, preventive health behavior, and perceived effects of the pandemic COVID-19 on Thai people based on age (generation), income, occupation, and residence area and relationship among them. Analyses of online survey data (n = 3,664) collected during the 2020 COVID-19 outbreak in Thailand showed that baby boomer and Gen X respondents equally had the same level of COVID-19 information exposure which was higher than those of Gen Z and Gen Y.Of all preventive health behavior, wearing a mask in public had the highest mean. Respondents who performed COVID-19 preventive health behavior at the highest level in each demographic category were Gen X, government officers and business owners, had incomes less than 15,000 baht and between 35000-44999 baht, and resided in the Central region. Respondents who had the highest level of perception of the effects on anxiety in different groups were Gen Z and retirees, received incomes less than 15,000 baht and resided in the Northern region. Respondents of different generations, occupations, incomes, and areas of residence had significant differences in perceived effects of the one-month lockdown extension on work. The level of information exposure for COVID-19 information was positively related to preventive health behavior. The level of media exposure for COVID-19 information was negatively related to perceived effects of one-month lockdown extension on stress/anxiety and on livelihood. Implications, contributions, and limitations were discussed