COVID-19 prevention intentions of pre-science science teachers from South African and Indonesian universities

Abstract

Science teachers could play a vital role in promoting health literacy and safe behaviors to limit the spread of communicable diseases. However, there is limited research concerning their attitudes and behavioral intentions toward diseases, such as COVID-19. Using the theory of planned behavior as a framework, we employed a non-experimental survey to compare the behavioral intentions towards adopting COVID-19 preventative measures among pre-service science teachers from South African (n=87) and Indonesian (n=93) universities. Data were collect data using a closed-ended questionnaire. Results show that the behavioral intentions toward COVID-19 between South African and Indonesian pre-service science teachers are similar. Safe attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, behavioral, and normative beliefs that support safe behavioral intentions toward COVID-19 were reported, even though vaccine hesitancy may occur. We extrapolate that interventions should be implemented to enhance pre-service teachers’ behavioral intentions and enhance their role in health education.