Knowledge, attitudes, and preventive behaviors toward pathogens transmission: A study among Grade 10-12 students of Mahidol University International Demonstration School at Nakhon Pathom

Abstract

Background: It is important for humans to protect themselves from the pathogens because when there are pathogens inside the bodies, it means that our bodies will be weaker which results in inability to work. Getting infected by a disease does not only cause the problems to the individual but it also results in affecting the life of a whole human population. First of all, effective infection prevention will help minimize the risk of infection transmission between people. One of the largest causes of this transmission is pandemic disease. Pandemics disease is widely spread all over the world. This would lead to economic, social, and political disruption. Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess knowledge, attitudes, and behavior about pathogens among high school students. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted during January 2021–April 2021, all students and teachers from Mahidol University International Demonstration School were invited to participate in completing an online questionnaire. A total of 213 students participated. Differences between outcomes and sociodemographics were analyzed through independent t-test and the ANOVA. A generalized linear model was calculated to determine the predictive variables of preventive behaviors. Results: Students revealed low knowledge on preventing transmission of pathogens, scored 2.07 (SD = 1.12) points in a total of 5 points, good attitude toward preventive behavior, 10.75 in a total of 15 questions (SD = 1.67), and low preventive behavior by scoring the average score of 14.55 (SD = 2.32) out of 20 questions. From Pearson’s correlation efficient test, the finding indicated that knowledge about pathogens prevention and the preventive behavior has no correlation (P = 0.01). The attitude toward preventive behaviors of pathogens either has no correlation with the preventive behaviors (P = 0.01). The knowledge about pathogens prevention had positive correlation with the attitude toward pathogens prevention (r = 213, P = 0.01). Statistically tested by generalized linear regression model, knowledge about pathogens prevention, and attitude toward preventive behavior cannot predict the adoption of those preventive behaviors. Conclusion: This study provides useful data to plan health education training about transmission of pathogens among high school students. The consistency in knowledge and attitude training by schools in preventive campaigns is essential to promote good preventive behaviors.