• Journal of Practical Engineering Education
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.449-457
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• 2023

The purpose of this descriptive research study was to investigate health beliefs and self-efficacy in respiratory infection management as factors that affect the respiratory infection prevention behavior of college students. The subjects were 178 students attending a university in K city of Gyeongsangbuk-do. Data were collected with a structured questionnaire from September 1st to October 16th of 2020. The results of this study are as follows; Health belief was significantly different from participant's gender (t=-2.86, p=.005), major classification (F=2.95, p=.034), and taking any medications (t=2.18, p=.030). Self-efficacy in respiratory infection management was significantly different from university students' gender (t=-3.56, p=<.001) and major classification (F=4.59, p=.004). Health belief (r=.276, p<.001) and self-efficacy in respiratory infection management (r=.660, p<.001) had a positive correlation with respiratory infection preventive behavior. Multiple regression analysis results show that self-efficacy in respiratory infection management (β=.66, p<.001) significantly affected respiratory infection preventive behavior. The model had an explanatory power of 43%. The findings demonstrate that the major factor influencing the respiratory infection preventive behavior of university students is self-efficacy in respiratory infection management. Therefore, in order to promote behavior to prevent respiratory infection in college students, a program that can strengthen self-efficacy in respiratory infection management should be developed.