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Knowledge, attitude, and practices toward COVID-19 among the international travelers in Thailand.
Prapaso, Suttiporn; Luvira, Viravarn; Lawpoolsri, Saranath; Songthap, Archin; Piyaphanee, Watcharapong; Chancharoenthana, Wiwat; Muangnoicharoen, Sant; Pitisuttithum, Punnee; Chanthavanich, Pornthep.
  • Prapaso S; Department of Clinical Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
  • Luvira V; Department of Clinical Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand. viravarn.luv@mahidol.ac.th.
  • Lawpoolsri S; Department of Tropical Hygiene, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
  • Songthap A; Department of Community Health, Faculty of Public Health, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand.
  • Piyaphanee W; Department of Clinical Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
  • Chancharoenthana W; Department of Clinical Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
  • Muangnoicharoen S; Department of Clinical Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
  • Pitisuttithum P; Department of Clinical Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
  • Chanthavanich P; Department of Tropical Pediatrics, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Trop Dis Travel Med Vaccines ; 7(1): 29, 2021 Nov 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1518302
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.
Keywords

Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Type of study: Observational study / Prognostic study / Randomized controlled trials Language: English Journal: Trop Dis Travel Med Vaccines Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: S40794-021-00155-1

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Type of study: Observational study / Prognostic study / Randomized controlled trials Language: English Journal: Trop Dis Travel Med Vaccines Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: S40794-021-00155-1