Abstract

Purpose
The purpose of this study is to identify health belief, subjective norms, social stigma, and sense of community affecting to the COVID-19 preventive behavior among college students, and provide basic data for the development of preventive programs to improve COVID-19 preventive behavior.

Method
This study used a cross-sectional study design. The study recruited a total of 170 college students, through an online survey from three online communities which are mostly used by college students. The data were collected from July 24 to August 9, 2021. The collected data were analyzed using the descriptive statistics, independent t-test, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and simple multiple regression using SPSS 21.0 version program.

Result
There was a statistically significant difference in COVID-19 preventive behavior according to their age (t=2.34, p=.020) and experience of self quarantined experience (self/family/friends/close person) (t=4.45, p<.001) among the general characteristics of the subjects. COVID-19 preventive behavior showed a statistically significant positive correlation with health belief (r=.65, p<.001), subjective norms (r=.67, p<.001), and sense of community (r=.35, p<.001). In a simple multiple regression, health belief (β=.40, p<.001) and subjective norms (β=.41, p<.001) were found to have a significant association with the COVID-19 preventive behaviors of college students. These variables explained the 54.0% variance in COVID-19 preventive behavior of college students (F=40.56, p<.001).

Conclusion
The results of this study showed that health belief and subjective norms were significant factors affecting the COVID-19 preventive behavior in college students. Based on the results of this study, it is expected to develop a COVID-19 preventive programs and strategies that increase health belief and subjective norms to improve the COVID-19 preventive behavior in college students.