Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV): Level of cognizance, perceived susceptibility to risk and preventive practices among personnel in Iloilo International Airport

Abstract

This descriptive-relational study aimed to determine the level of cognizance, perceived susceptibility to risk and preventive practices against MERS-CoV among personnel of Iloilo International Airport and the relationship among the variables. Specifically, this study aimed to determine: the personal characteristics of the respondents in terms of their age, sex, educational attainment, and length of service; level of cognizance on MERS-CoV; perceived susceptibility to risk towards MERS-CoV; and preventive practices against MERS-CoV; if there is a significant relationships between the respondents’ personal characteristics and their level of cognizance MERS-CoV; between the respondents’ personal characteristics and their perceived susceptibility to risk towards MERS-CoV; between the respondents’ personal characteristics and their preventive practices against MERS-CoV; between level of cognizance and perceived susceptibility to risk towards MERS-CoV; between level of cognizance and preventive practices against MERS-CoV; perceived susceptibility to risk towards MERS-CoV and preventive practices against MERS-CoV; and between level of cognizance and preventive practices against MERS-CoV when perceived susceptibility to risk is controlled. 175 respondents were included in the study where they answered a self-made administered questionnaire. Based on the findings of the study, the following conclusions were derived: Respondents have negative perceived susceptibility to risk towards MERS-CoV. There is no strict implementation of preventive practices against MERS-CoV in the workplace as most of the respondents do not do such practices regularly. Employees with higher level of cognizance on MERS-CoV are more likely to perceive themselves to be more susceptible to MERS-CoV and further cautious to practice precautionary measures against such disease. Perceived susceptibility towards risk influences preventive practices against MERS-CoV. Employees who have high perception on the susceptibility to risk towards MERS-CoV are more likely to observe practices in preventing such disease.