Exposure to risk communication, compliance with preventive measures and information-sharing behavior among students during the COVID-19 pandemic

Purpose During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, public health risk communication has been a vital work. Students account for a large proportion of the population and are often highly mobile; thus, they face a high risk of contagion and spreading the disease. Therefore, risk communication to this group during the pandemic has been essential. This research examines the relationship between risk communication to students and their appropriate behaviors (compliance with COVID-19 preventive measures and COVID-19 information sharing). Design/methodology/approach This research used structural equation model (SEM) and generalized structural equation model (GSEM) to analyze the data collected from students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings The findings revealed that risk communication in mass media was positively associated with students' compliance with preventive measures and sharing pandemic-related information. Additionally, their compliance behavior was positively associated with their information-sharing behavior. Practical implications This research offers some implications regarding the containment of a highly-infectious virus, especially for the context when the risk of outbreak is high and an effective vaccine is not available, by focusing on risk communication and compliance and information-sharing behaviors. Originality/value This research is one of the early attempts to examine the risk communication to students, their compliance with preventive measures and their information-sharing behavior during a pandemic.