Perception and Preventive Behaviors of COVID-19 among Dental Patients in Kasetsomboon Hospital, Chaiyaphum Province

Abstract

This cross-sectional research aimed to study perceptions and preventive behaviors of COVID-19 among 246 dental service patients at Kasetsomboon hospital. The samples were selected using a systematic sampling technique. Research instrument was a questionnaire on perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits and barriers, and preventive behaviors of COVID-19. Descriptive statistics used in this study were frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations. Relationships between factors were tested using Chi-square test and Fisher's exact test.

Findings showed that dental patients’ perceptions about COVID-19 was at a very good level (51.1%). Perceptions that were at a very good level included perceived susceptibility (58.9%), perceived severity (69.1%), perceived benefits (77.6%) and perceived barriers (48.8%). COVID-19 preventive behaviors among the samples were at a good level (76.8%). It was found that perceived susceptibility (p=0.046), perceived severity (p<0.001), perceived benefits (p=0.001) and perceived barriers (p=0.021) were significantly associated with COVID-19 preventive behaviors.

Findings this study can be used to improve dental service to be appropriate with the COVID-19 situations, leading to the prevention and control of the spread of the virus and the protection of both service providers and service receivers.