HEALTH BELIEF MODEL AND DISEASE PREVENTION BEHAVIORS ON CORONAVIRUS DISEASE (COVID-19) AMONG MONKS IN UBON RATCHATHANI PROVINCE

Abstract

The novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) is an emerging disease that has spread rapidly and severely affected a wide range of people including monks who follow the Dhamma disciplines. This descriptive research aimed at studying the health belief model and the disease prevention behaviors from COVID-19 of monks in Ubon Ratchathani Province. The sample group consisted of 130 monks obtained by simple random sampling between July 2020 and April 2021. The instruments included the questionnaires consisting of the following sections: 1) general information of the sampling group; 2) a health belief model on COVID-19; and 3) COVID-19 prevention behaviors.  In-depth interview questionnaire was used for qualitative data. The quantitative data were analyzed by descriptive statistics. The qualitative data were analyzed by content analysis. The results of the study were as follows. The overall health recognition in relation to COVID-19 was at the highest level (=4.33, SD= 0.97). When it was considered by aspect, it was found as follows. The recognition in the benefit of prevention behaviors from COVID-19 (=4.74, SD=0.93), recognition in severity of the disease (=4.63, SD=0.89) and recognition in risk opportunity to be contacted with the disease (=4.43, SD= 0.91) were at the highest level. The recognition in the obstacles of behaviors in prevention from COVID-19 (=3.97, SD=0.94) and recognition one’s own capacity in prevention from the disease (=3.89, SD=1.20) were at a high level. Regarding the prevention behavior from COVID-19, it was found that the prevention behavior was at a high level (=4.15, SD= 0.94). The qualitative data reflected the meaning of infection of COVID-19 as “Easily infected, Easily Dead”. Monks have changed their normal behavior of monks and well cooperate with various agencies. They also seek information through various channels that they can advise others.