Factors Relating to Herbs Use Behavior for COVID-19 Prevention Among People Living in Mueang District, Krabi Province

Abstract

This cross-sectional survey research aims to study 1) factors relating to herbs use behavior for prevention among people living in Mueang District, Krabi Province. 2) the behavior level of using herbs to prevent COVID-19, 3) factors for using herbs to prevent COVID-19. The sample group was people in Muang District, Krabi Province. Study in a sample aged 20 – 59 years of 414 people. Accidental Sampling was employed. Data is collected by questionnaires and were analyzed using mean, percentage, standard deviation, chi-square, and Pearson correlation coefficient.

The results showed Factors for using herbs to prevent COVID-19 consisted of personal factors such as gender, age, education level, occupation and monthly income. Predisposing factors include knowledge, attitude, perceived benefit. Enabling factors to have include the channels of obtaining herbs, expenses of acquiring herbs, herbal form, reinforcing factors include personal media exposure, specialized media exposure, mass media exposure. The behavior level of using herbs to prevent COVID-19 was moderate, accounting for 85.02 percent. The sample group had the highest amount of drinking or eating foods containing ginger to enhance immunity and prevent COVID-19, accounted for 97.83 percent. Factors relating to herbs use behavior for COVID-19 prevention among people living in Mueang District, Krabi Province, were sex, age, monthly income, knowledge, attitude, perceived benefit, cost and price of herbs, herbal form, personal media exposure, specialized media exposure, mass media exposure. Therefore, in summary, it is important to provide information so that people know the benefits and how to use herbs correctly to create a behavior for COVID-19 prevention and be prone to a better quality of life.