Publication: Knowledge, attitude, and practices toward COVID-19 among the international travelers in Thailand
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Issued Date
2021-12-01
Resource Type
ISSN
20550936
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2-s2.0-85119364982
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Mahidol University
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SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Tropical Diseases, Travel Medicine and Vaccines. Vol.7, No.1 (2021)
Suggested Citation
Suttiporn Prapaso, Viravarn Luvira, Saranath Lawpoolsri, Archin Songthap, Watcharapong Piyaphanee, Wiwat Chancharoenthana, Sant Muangnoicharoen, Punnee Pitisuttithum, Pornthep Chanthavanich Knowledge, attitude, and practices toward COVID-19 among the international travelers in Thailand. Tropical Diseases, Travel Medicine and Vaccines. Vol.7, No.1 (2021). doi:10.1186/s40794-021-00155-1 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/77479
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Title
Knowledge, attitude, and practices toward COVID-19 among the international travelers in Thailand
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Abstract
Background: International travel is among the leading impactful factors of COVID-19 transmission; thus, adequate knowledge, good attitude and good preventive practices toward COVID-19 for international travelers are particularly essential for successful pandemic control. Methods: A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted to determine knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) of international travelers (both Thai and non-Thai) and expatriates in Thailand. The data were collected at the Thai Travel Clinic, Bangkok, Thailand and via online platforms during May to October 2020. The independent T-test, Chi-square test and multiple regression analysis (MRA) were applied to determine factors influencing the KAP. Results: Of 399 travelers, 46.6% were male, 72.1% had a Bachelor’s degree or higher, and the mean age was 35.6 ± 9.6 years. Due to unexpected travel restrictions and lock down, 77.9% of participants were Thai and the respective major purpose of travel was business/work. Travel cancellation/postponement was reported at 73.9%. While sufficient knowledge (≥ 60% correct answers) was reported in 77.9% of participants, a low percentage of correct answers was found in the questions regarding disease transmission. The travelers reported a neutral attitude and an overall moderate concern regarding the COVID-19 situation. Adequate preventive practices were determined by the average practice score 3.54 ± 0.38 (0 = never and 4 = always). The MRA revealed that the factors influencing good practices were travelers who: i) enrolled from outside the hospital (online platform); ii) received pretravel advice at hospital; iii) were female; iv) participated before the declaration of the end of the outbreak; v) were aged 40–49 years, and vi) visited friends and relatives. Conclusions: The majority of travelers in this study had sufficient knowledge, a neutral attitude and adequate preventive practices toward COVID-19. The factors influencing good practices included pretravel advice, sex, age and the point in the timeline of the outbreak. In order to better control the COVID-19 pandemic situation, pretravel counselling and advice should be promoted as a means to improve knowledge, particularly in disease transmission, increase awareness and emphasize appropriate preventive measures toward COVID-19 among international travelers. Furthermore, preventive practices should be bolstered at all times regardless of the outbreak situation.