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Effectiveness of Innovation Media for Improving Physical Distancing Compliance during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Quasi-Experiment in Thailand

Author

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  • Hattaya Chutiphimon

    (Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla 90110, Thailand)

  • Apinya Thipsunate

    (Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla 90110, Thailand)

  • Atigun Cherdchim

    (Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla 90110, Thailand)

  • Bootsarakam Boonyaphak

    (Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla 90110, Thailand)

  • Panat Vithayasirikul

    (Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla 90110, Thailand)

  • Patiphan Choothong

    (Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla 90110, Thailand)

  • Swit Vichathai

    (Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla 90110, Thailand)

  • Pitchayanont Ngamchaliew

    (Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla 90110, Thailand)

  • Polathep Vichitkunakorn

    (Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla 90110, Thailand)

Abstract

To flatten the curve of COVID-19 infections, with no effective pharmacological interventions or vaccine available in the imminent future, public health responses must continue to rely on non-pharmacological interventions. We developed three innovation media to promote physical distancing compliance (i.e., a fearful picture, a red one-way arrow sign, and a norm-speech sticker). This study aimed to compare physical distancing compliance between our interventions and conventional interventions. Our study was a quasi-experiment, and we observed a representative sample of university canteen customers via closed-circuit television (CCTV). Each intervention was monitored over non-prime-time hours, per day, on 6–9 August 2020. Among the 400 participants (100 participants in each group), their age group, gender, and physical distancing practices were observed in a university canteen. The number of failures of physical distancing ranged between 93.8% and 17.6%, and on average between 84.2% and 34.2%, dependent on the intervention and the marking point. There were no statistically significant differences in promoting physical distancing compliance between our interventions compared with conventional interventions. However, the participants tended to practice physical distancing at the back of the queue more than at the front, regardless of the interventions.

Suggested Citation

  • Hattaya Chutiphimon & Apinya Thipsunate & Atigun Cherdchim & Bootsarakam Boonyaphak & Panat Vithayasirikul & Patiphan Choothong & Swit Vichathai & Pitchayanont Ngamchaliew & Polathep Vichitkunakorn, 2020. "Effectiveness of Innovation Media for Improving Physical Distancing Compliance during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Quasi-Experiment in Thailand," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(22), pages 1-10, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:22:p:8535-:d:446620
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Judah, G. & Aunger, R. & Schmidt, W.-P. & Michie, S. & Granger, S. & Curtis, V., 2009. "Experimental pretesting of hand-washing interventions in a natural setting," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 99(S2), pages 405-411.
    2. Robert Dreibelbis & Anne Kroeger & Kamal Hossain & Mohini Venkatesh & Pavani K. Ram, 2016. "Behavior Change without Behavior Change Communication: Nudging Handwashing among Primary School Students in Bangladesh," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-7, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Epton, Tracy & Ghio, Daniela & Ballard, Lisa M. & Allen, Sarah F. & Kassianos, Angelos P. & Hewitt, Rachael & Swainston, Katherine & Fynn, Wendy Irene & Rowland, Vickie & Westbrook, Juliette & Jenkins, 2022. "Interventions to promote physical distancing behaviour during infectious disease pandemics or epidemics: A systematic review," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 303(C).

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