Louie Benedict R. Ignacio, Myla M. Arcinas, Ma. Cristina Eusebio,
Jeorge M. Dela Cruz, Alexander B. Dagalea, Mikael Aifianus
Mulan Kabelen, Roxanne O. Doron
De La Salle University, Manila, Philippines, University of Sto Tomas,
Manila, Philippines, Central Luzon State University, Nueva Ecija,
Philippines, La Consolacion College Manila, Philippines
louie_ignacio@dlsu.edu.ph
Date Received: May 30, 2020; Date Revised: November 11, 2020
Asia Pacific Journal of Multidisciplinary Research
Vol. 8 No.4, 161-170
November 2020
P-ISSN 2350-7756
E-ISSN 2350-8442
www.apjmr.com
ASEAN Citation Index
Correlates of Perception of COVID-19 health risk among Filipino youth in a private university in Manila, Philippines 411 KB 1 downloads
Louie Benedict R. Ignacio, Myla M. Arcinas, Ma. Cristina Eusebio, Jeorge M. Dela...This is a cross-sectional study that aimed to determine the correlations of the perception of risk towards COVID-19 among college students from a private university in Manila, Philippines with their extent of use of different sources of COVID-19 information, their level of self-efficacy, and their perceived importance of behavioral preventive measures towards COVID-19. A total of 756 college students participated in the online survey. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and correlation tests. Findings showed that the internet (M = 4.47, SD= .75) was their most accessed source of COVID- 19 information, but the Pearson R test revealed no correlation with their perception of risk. A significant positive correlation (r = .097, n = 759, p = .008) was found between extent of use of television (M = 3.86, SD= 1.105) and their perception of risk (M = 3.86, SD= 1.105). Results also showed a high level of self-efficacy (M = 4.59, SD = 0.82) and a high level of perceived importance of their behavior to fight COVID 19 (M = 3.93, SD = 0.80). A significant inverse weak correlation between perception of risk and self-efficacy (r = -.150, n = 756, p = .000), and a significant positive weak correlation between perception of risk and perceived importance of health behavior (r = .175, n = 756, p = .000). Thus, a higher self- efficacy yields lowered COVID-19 perception of risk, and a higher COVID-19 perception of risk increases higher perceived importance to behavioral preventive measures. The findings can be used to promote targeted and evidence based intervention programs informed of the correlates of the Filipino youth’s COVID-19 perception of risk. Identifying correlates of COVID-19 perception of risk allows calculation of contextualized actions and strategies toward cost-effective management of the COVID-19 situation. Thus, ensuring success of intervention programs that aim to protect the Filipino youth from contracting COVID-19.
Keywords: COVID-19, perception of risk, self-efficacy, sources of COVID-19 information