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Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Knowledge, Precaution Practice, and Associated Depression Symptoms among University Students in Korea, China, and Japan

Author

Listed:
  • Bo Zhao

    (Department of Health Administration, Graduate School, Yonsei University, 1 Yonseidae-gil, Wonju, Gangwon-do 26493, Korea)

  • Fanlei Kong

    (Centre for Health Management and Policy Research, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
    NHC Key Lab of Health Economics and Policy Research, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China)

  • Myo Nyein Aung

    (Juntendo Advanced Research Institute for Health Science, Juntendo University, Hongo 2-1-1, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
    Global Health Service Course, Faculty of International Liberal Arts, Juntendo University, Hongo 2-1-1, Bumkyo-ku, Toyko 113-8421, Japan)

  • Motoyuki Yuasa

    (Global Health Service Course, Faculty of International Liberal Arts, Juntendo University, Hongo 2-1-1, Bumkyo-ku, Toyko 113-8421, Japan)

  • Eun Woo Nam

    (Department of Health Administration, Graduate School, Yonsei University, 1 Yonseidae-gil, Wonju, Gangwon-do 26493, Korea
    Healthy City Research Center, Institute of Health and Welfare, Yonsei University, 1 Yonseidae-gil, Wonju, Gangwon-do 26493, Korea)

Abstract

This study assessed university students’ knowledge and precaution practices of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in South Korea, China, and Japan, and investigated their depressive states during the pandemic. This cross-sectional survey collected data from 821 respondents, using an anonymous online questionnaire designed by the Yonsei Global Health Center, from 23 March to 20 April 2020, which included socio-demographic questions, knowledge and perceptions of COVID-19, preventative practices, and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) scale to assess mental health. High proportions of respondents showed good knowledge of the transmission pathways and information related to COVID-19. Contact history as well as concerns about family members and the disease showed statistically significant distinctions by nationality and gender. On the whole, all participants reported good levels of preventative practices. The Chinese group reported the highest preventative practice scores; and females scored higher than males. Moreover, the Japanese group showed the most severe depressive states; overall, females experienced more severe depression than males. Thus, authorities should especially emphasize the importance of COVID-19 precautions to males. Educational departments and health authorities should observe the mental health of university adults during the pandemic and plan interventions to improve it.

Suggested Citation

  • Bo Zhao & Fanlei Kong & Myo Nyein Aung & Motoyuki Yuasa & Eun Woo Nam, 2020. "Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Knowledge, Precaution Practice, and Associated Depression Symptoms among University Students in Korea, China, and Japan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-17, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:18:p:6671-:d:413033
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    4. Hamed Sarani & Abbas Balouchi & Nosratollah Masinaeinezhad & Ebrahim Ebrahimitabas, 2016. "Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Nurses about Standard Precautions for Hospital-Acquired Infection in Teaching Hospitals Affiliated to Zabol University of Medical Sciences (2014)," Global Journal of Health Science, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 8(3), pages 193-193, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Thomas Volken & Annina Zysset & Simone Amendola & Anthony Klein Swormink & Marion Huber & Agnes von Wyl & Julia Dratva, 2021. "Depressive Symptoms in Swiss University Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic and Their Correlates," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-14, February.
    2. Hae Ran Kim & Eun Jung Kim, 2021. "Factors Associated with Mental Health among International Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic in South Korea," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-13, October.
    3. Junyeop Cha & Seoyun Kim & Eunil Park, 2022. "A lexicon-based approach to examine depression detection in social media: the case of Twitter and university community," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 9(1), pages 1-10, December.
    4. Wanqiu Yang & Peng Li & Yubo Huang & Xiao Yang & Wei Mu & Wangwei Jing & Xiaohong Ma & Xiangyang Zhang, 2022. "Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Validation of the Fear of COVID-19 Scale for Chinese University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(14), pages 1-13, July.

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