DOI QR코드

DOI QR Code

Comparison of Safety and Health Risk Perceptions Toward COVID-19 Pandemic Based on Gender in Korean University Students' Work While Studying

  • Kim, Sang Hee (Department of Nursing, College of Nursing, INJE University) ;
  • Park, Min Soo (Department of Occupational Health & Safety Engineering, College of Biomedical Science & Engineering, INJE University) ;
  • Kim, Tae-Gu (Department of Occupational Health & Safety Engineering, College of Biomedical Science & Engineering, INJE University)
  • Received : 2021.06.17
  • Accepted : 2022.04.19
  • Published : 2022.09.30

Abstract

Background: This study aims to identify the safety and health risk perceptions toward the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic based on gender in Korean university students who work and study during the pandemic. Methods: A nationwide convenient sampling method was implemented to eliminate any regional characteristics in 757 university students, including those who studied while working. The participants answered the online questionnaire for one week. The collected data were analyzed using the R version 3.4.1 program. Results: The results comparing the safety and health risk perceptions toward COVID-19 based on the gender of the subjects who work while studying, "I often use the Internet to obtain information on COVID-19 infection control" are females appeared to use the internet more often (t = -2.18, p = 0.031) than males. "Compared to pre-COVID-19, I am currently feeling safe after the outbreak" is females felt less safe (t = 3.43, p < 0.001). Although COVID-19 infection control awareness is high among Korean university students and officials, males reported higher scores over females in all the questions, which was statistically significant. Conclusion: There should be prioritized psychological measures for prevention against COVID-19 for vulnerable groups with high mental health risks. A network must be established to protect the mental health of such groups, and candidates who require intervention must be actively identified and supported. Therefore, there must be efforts to deliver accurate information based on scientific evidence of the infectious disease, and the actions should be supported through such active communication.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

This work was supported by the 2016 Inje University grant.

References

  1. Adhikari SP, Meng S, Wu YJ, Mao YP, Ye RX, Wang QZ, Sun C, Sylvia S, Rozelle S, Raat H, Zhou H. Epidemiology, causes, clinical manifestation and diagnosis, prevention and control of coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) during the early outbreak period: a scoping review. Infect Dis Poverty 2020;9:1-12. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40249-019-0617-6
  2. World Health Organization (WHO). Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic [Ienternet]. Genva: World Health Organization. 2019 [cited 2020 Dec 15]. Available from: https://www.who.int/emergencies/disease/novelcoronavirus-2019.
  3. Slovic PE. The perception of risk. Earthscan Publications. America; 2000.
  4. Park JH, Kim JH, Lee HJ, Kang PR. The relationship of anxiety, risk perception, literacy, and compliance of preventive behaviors during COVID-19 pandemic in nursing students. J Korean Appl Sci Technol 2021;38:48-59.
  5. Dryhurst S, Schneider CR, Kerr J, Freeman AL, Recchia G, Van Der Bles AM, Spiegelhalter D, Van Der Linden S. Risk perceptions of COVID-19 around the world. J Risk Res 2020;23:994-1006. https://doi.org/10.1080/13669877.2020.1758193
  6. Chen JC, Yan YR, Al L, Guo XH, He JX, Yuan P. Development of a questionnaire measuring sexual, the mental health of Tibetan university students. J Sichuan Univ (Med Sci Ed.) 2016;47:382-8.
  7. Visani D, Albieri E, Offidani E, Ottolini F, Tomba E, Ruini C. Gender differences in psychological well-being and distress during adolescence. The Human Pursuit of Well-Being; 2011. p. 65-70.
  8. Yoon TS, Shin HC. The influence of stress coping on psychological well-being in university students: the mediating effect of personal meaning and spiritual meaning. Korea J Youth Counsel 2018;26:189-210.
  9. Park SH, Byun EK. Factors influencing the mental health of college nursing students. J Korea Acad-Indus Cooper Soc 2015;16:8284-91.
  10. Xiao C. A novel approach of consultation on 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19)-related psychological and mental problems: structured letter therapy. Psychiatry Investig 2020;17:175-6. https://doi.org/10.30773/pi.2020.0047
  11. Lau JT, Yang X, Tsui HY, Pang E, Wing YK. Positive mental health-related impacts of the SARS epidemic on the general public in Hong Kong and their associations with other adverse effects. J Infect 2006;53:114-24. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jinf.2005.10.019
  12. Lau AL, Chi I, Cummins RA, Lee TM, Chou KL, Chung LW. The SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) pandemic in Hong Kong: effects on the subjective well-being of elderly and younger people. Aging Mental Health 2008;12:746-60. https://doi.org/10.1080/13607860802380607
  13. Bonanno GA, Ho SM, Chan JC, Kwong RS, Cheung CK, Wong CP, Wong VC. Psychological resilience and dysfunction among hospitalized survivors of the SARS epidemic in Hong Kong: a latent class approach. Health Psychol 2008;27:659-67. https://doi.org/10.1037/0278-6133.27.5.659
  14. Ministry of Health and Welfare$Korean Society for Traumatic Stress Studies. COVID-19 mental health survey; 2020.
  15. Cheng C, Tang CS. The psychology behind the masks: psychological responses to the severe acute respiratory syndrome outbreak in different regions. Asian J Soc Psychol 2004;7:3-7. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-839X.2004.00130.x
  16. Park JE, Sohn AR. The relationship between government credibility and risk perception of the mad cow disease. Korean Public Health Res 2010;36:27-34.
  17. Zwart O, Veldhuijzen IK, Elam G, Aro AR, Abraham T, Bishop GD, Voeten HI, Richardus JH, Brug J. Perceived threat, risk perception, and efficacy beliefs to SARS and other (emerging) infectious diseases: results of an international survey. Int J Behav Med 2009;16:30-40. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12529-008-9008-2
  18. Bawazir A, Al-Mazroo E, Jradi H, Ahmed A, Badri M. MERS-CoV infection: mind the public knowledge gap. J Infect Public Health 2018;11:89-93. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jiph.2017.05.003