Setting and sample
This study followed both positivism and anti-positivism strategy. The positivism covers the systematic review of works of literature and content analysis to offer the conceptual back- ground of this study and anti-positivism centered within the quantitative approach. Empirical data has been extracted from an online survey from February 20 to March 10, 2020, among international students studying in different universities in China. Mostly international students who are enrolled and staying in different universities across China were the target population. An online-based e-questionnaire was used to collect information associated with the research questions and objectives. Prior to distributing the questionnaire, the Snowball sampling technique was utilized in order to find out the educational institutions where international students are staying and their WeChat groups. An informed consent form was attached to the e-questionnaire, and each participant were asked through this form to submit their consent before filling up the e-questionnaire. The most familiar social media platform in China, WeChat, was used to distribute the students' e-questionnaire.
Variables
The proposed model covers the three-dimensional strategy, which is (a) preventive and supportive measures (b) awareness building and (c) trust in authorities.
Questionnaire development
For fulfilling the prime objectives of the study, we have designed the excerpt questionnaire parallel to the prior published literary works of several researchers with similar design. The questionnaire is designed with two parts. Within the first part, all the demographic information of the respondents was gathered, and the second part is consisting of the rating option for the variables. In the questionnaire, respondents were asked to assess how significant the preventive and supportive measures, awareness building can foster the trust in authorities or institutions. This article restrained each and every mechanism of the questionnaire on a seven-point Likert measure, where 1 is set for strongly disagree and 7 for strongly agree. The study also accompanied a pilot test within a small group of the respondents to ensure clearer understanding of the questionnaire. The confirmed form of the questionnaire contained 22 indicators, which correspond to three constructs, including preventive and supportive measures (12 items), awareness building (7 items), and trust (3 items) presented in Table 1.
Table 1. The excerpts of the questionnaire utilized in this research.
Variables
|
Excerpts questions of Indicators
|
Model
|
Preventive and supportive measures
|
I am satisfied with the proper use of mask and hand gloves that can prevent this infection
|
P&S_1
|
I am satisfied with avoids public transport and gathering in the last one month that can prevent this infection
|
P&S_2
|
I am satisfied with the use of hand sanitizer, alcohol, and chemicals that can prevent this infection
|
P&S_3
|
I am satisfied with current food preparation and consumption that can prevent this infection
|
P&S_4
|
I am satisfied with my regular exercise which is instructed by authorities to protect me from this infection
|
P&S_5
|
I am satisfied with the preventive measure taken by me to avoid direct contact with the animal to protect from this infection
|
P&S_6
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I am satisfied to participate in online class supported by an institution that can prevent this infection
|
P&S_7
|
I am satisfied with authorities support to restrict movement that can protect me from this infection
|
P&S_8
|
I am satisfied with the establishment of the temporary market and regular supplies of food and medicine by the authorities
|
P&S_9
|
I am satisfied with maintaining register book for body temperature during exit and entre point by the authorities
|
P&S_10
|
I am satisfied with regular health update collected by the institution
|
P&S_11
|
I am satisfied with extra care taken the authorities for the international student during this period
|
P&S_12
|
Awareness building
|
I am aware of regular hand washing during this period
|
AW_1
|
I am aware of my health to protect from cold during this period
|
AW_2
|
I am careful about not to frequent face touch
|
AW_3
|
I am aware of building immunity system through physical exercise
|
AW_4
|
I am aware of participating in awareness activities arranged by the institution to protect from this infection
|
AW_5
|
I am aware of the rumor and symptom of this epidemic
|
AW_6
|
I am aware of involvement in mass media regarding this epidemic
|
AW_7
|
Trust in authorities
|
Overall, I trust my institutions that they will protect me from this infection
|
TR_1
|
Overall, I trust the local authorities that they will protect me from this infection
|
TR_2
|
Overall, I trust on Chinese Government that they will protect me from this infection
|
TR_3
|
Theory of structural equation modeling (SEM)
In behavioral research, SEM is preferred by many researchers for explaining the complex phenomenon due to its ability to handle the estimation of composite and interconnected dependent variables in the distinct analytical model [21]. There are many instances where SEM has been applied to health system planning, disease containment or to measure various mental health variables [22–25]. SEM works with two categories of variables, namely, endogenous (dependent) and exogenous (independent) variables. Moreover, this approach helps the researchers to test an unobservable hypothesis directly; with an insight view of the effects of all variables which in turn provides a systematic explanation of each hypothesis. According to Golob [26], SEM is such kind of tactics that has a substantial capability to concentrate within the aspects of structural approaches, and this beneficial ability makes SEM more convenient and flexible than other statistically viable methods. The SEM Methodology is exercised in most of the recent epidemics and critically evaluated various factors to quantify a complex phenomenon. For example, Naim Mahroum [27] utilized the SEM modeling analysis to evaluate public reaction to Chikungunya outbreaks in Italy. Our theoretical framework, utilized in this research has been shown in Figure 1.
Integrated partial least squares-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM)
Since the developments of the statistical framework, SEM has been simplified to familiarize distinct parts of questionnaire data at several levels. Alternatively, the partial least squares (PLS) model provides a comprehensive assessment in a more centralistic way to measures the coefficients of structural equations framework. However, the clarifications attained as dependable rather than covariance-based approaches. Along with these notions, fewer constraints also could evaluate the data with a small distribution and sample size. The integrated model of PLS and SEM is popularly known as PLS-SEM.
In a case study of DR Congo, Kavita et al [28] utilized PLS-SEM model-based analysis by integrating the use, impact, and perception of social media as latent variables in terms of disaster management. In order to address the unfussy malaria management, PLS-SEM was evaluated for assessing patients’ attitudes, knowledge and practice [29]. Trisha et al. [30] used PLS-SEM based tactics to find the influence of communication factors (such as mass media, knowledge and interpersonal discussion) to notify Singaporeans about the epidemic and their risk perceptions as well as strategy to self-protection.
This outbreak condition is not only threats for Chinese but also is a global issue as addressed by WHO. The WHO also recommended a set of precautions to reduce the rate of disease transmission [31]. From that suggestion we designed our theoretical model. We have utilized SEM to evaluate the framework with data extracted from an online questionnaire. This study is followed by three dimensional tactics. Specifically, protective and supportive measures taken by governments and local authorities, along with the awareness gained by the students, and subsequent trust in authorities and the institutions.
Research model
The theoretical outline, which is portrayed according to the SEM tactic, is shown in Figure 2. The theoretical outline is mainly focused on the establishment and combinations of preventive and supportive measures, awareness building, and trust in authorities.
Data collection and processing
All the co-authors related to this study were contacted through WeChat with the international students in different educational institutions in order to distribute the e-questionnaire. We found 52 WeChat groups from 52 universities in China and circulated the e-questionnaire and requested them to share the e-questionnaire with their friends studying in their respective universities. Students from 52 different universities participated in this online survey. A total of 467 international students fulfilled the e-questionnaire and submitted it. After reading the consent, 16 students were refused to participate the e-questionnaire. The final data has been processed through the Smart PLS software (version 2.0).
Analysis
Structural equation modeling is designed with the two-phase model (i) measurement model and (ii) structural model. The inner relationships between latent variables and observed variables are portraits in the measurement model, and the latter with the structural model is used to investigate the loadings and estimating indicators [32, 33].