Innovative Device for Enhancing Physical Distancing in the COVID-19 Situation

Pitchayanont Ngamchaliew; Polathep  Vichitkunakorn; Phatthana  Wangsapan; Nantapat  Buppodom; Narawit  Junchoo; Patitta  Chanhom; Gun  Sudsangiam; Manattra  Patpoom; Chanissara  Chaichana

doi:10.33192/Smj.2021.10

Innovative Device for Enhancing Physical Distancing in the COVID-19 Situation

Authors

Pitchayanont Ngamchaliew Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1100-3138
Polathep Vichitkunakorn Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2309-5308
Phatthana Wangsapan Medical student, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9833-4364
Nantapat Buppodom Medical student, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3552-7836
Narawit Junchoo Medical student, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7832-3908
Patitta Chanhom Medical student, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7593-2027
Gun Sudsangiam Medical student, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8502-0075
Manattra Patpoom Medical student, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4646-0072
Chanissara Chaichana Medical student, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5501-9812

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33192/Smj.2021.10

Keywords:

physical distancing, COVID-19, Innovative device

Abstract

Objective: During the COVID-19 pandemic, physical distancing is one of the non-pharmaceutical measures that was recommended to reduce COVID-19 spread. Studies regarding physical distancing intervention and its effectiveness in Thailand have rarely been reported. This study aimed to evaluate physical distancing compliance among newly developed media interventions.
Methods: We used accidental sampling and the data collection method was observation via CCTV, at the university canteen. Three interventions, including an attractive picture, a flashing red-light, a speech alarm sound and the conventional intervention were employed to 400 customers. Each intervention was monitored in non-prime hours.
Results: The quasi-experimental study of 400 participants, the success rate of developed intervention including a flashing red light (6.0%, p = 0.279), an attractive picture (5.0%, p = 0.445) and a speech alarm sound (4.0%, p = 0.683) in promoting physical distancing compliance was not statistically significant from conventional intervention (2.0%). However, there was a statistically significant enhancement of physical compliance in some marking positions in our intervention.
Conclusion: The effectiveness of the innovative device was not statistically significant to enhance physical distancing compliance among customers of the university canteen. The compliance statistically significantly enhances in some marking points. The integration of the use of media into conventional interventions provides an alternative for enhancing physical distancing.

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Published

01-02-2021

How to Cite

Ngamchaliew, P., Vichitkunakorn, P. ., Wangsapan , P. ., Buppodom, N. ., Junchoo, N. ., Chanhom, P. ., Sudsangiam, G. ., Patpoom, M. ., & Chaichana , C. . (2021). Innovative Device for Enhancing Physical Distancing in the COVID-19 Situation. Siriraj Medical Journal, 73(2), 69–76. https://doi.org/10.33192/Smj.2021.10

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Issue

Vol. 73 No. 2 (2021): February

Section

Original Article

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