The causal relationship model of factors influencing COVID-19 preventive behaviors during the post-pandemic era and implications for health prevention strategies: a case of Bangkok City, Thailand

Abstract

This study investigated whether people still construct a perception of COVID-19 related risk during the post-pandemic era. Though the potential health impact of COVID-19 is perceived as less severe, people still constructed a perception of its risk particularly based on their perceived exposure and susceptibility. Risk perceptions of COVID-19 during the post-pandemic era could explain only 10–23% of variances in heath protective behaviours. Upon analysing individuals’ perceptions of all risk characteristics, perceived severity of COVID-19 did not statistically affect risk perception, whereas perceived exposure had the strongest effect. Perceived susceptibility and occurrence of COVID-19 spreading also significantly affected risk perceptions, and indirectly affected health protective behaviours. Thus, communicating people about exposure conditions and susceptibility is effective to promote heath protective bahaviours during the post-pandemic era.