Attitudes, Perception and Preventive Behaviors for Health and Safety among College Students

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to analyze the correlation between risk perception and attitudes and preventive behaviors among college students with poor health and safety consciousness. METHODS: A survey was conducted in students at three universities in the metropolitan area from May 11 to 18, 2018. Four kinds of instruments were used for this study, questionnaires about attitudes, perception, prevention education and preventive behaviors. RESULTS: The safety-related attitude depended on age: those aged <21 years had the best attitude. Education experience significantly affected perception. Preventive behaviors were more strongly and positively correlated with attitudes than with perception. The factor most significantly affecting preventive behaviors were attitudes to preventive health. CONCLUSIONS: To allow the students to change their awareness and behaviors related to sickness and accidents, first it is necessary to give education on a continuous basis so that they can obtain perception to cope with sickness and accidents; second, it is necessary to develop behavioral guidelines related to accidents in each area so that they can practice and make it a habit through attitudinal changes.