Hamdani M. Syam, Marzuki Marzuki, Deni Yanuar, Muhammad Aminullah, Maini Sartika
Covid-19 presented complex challenges for public health, not only due to the contagious nature of the virus but also because of widespread misinformation that hampers preventive efforts. In regions with strong communal interaction, such as Banda Aceh, Indonesia, informal social settings like coffee shops play a central role in the dissemination and discussion of health information. This study aimed to examine the relationship between information sources, risk knowledge, and protective behaviors among coffee shop visitors in Banda Aceh. A cross-sectional survey was conducted involving 829 respondents. Most participants were male (66.7%) and aged 17–25 years. The findings revealed that while social media was the most frequently used source of information, it did not significantly influence protective behaviors. In contrast, information from authoritative sources—such as government agencies, healthcare professionals, and scientific publications—was significantly associated with increased adherence to protective behaviors (OR = 1.694, p = 0.046). Notably, those accessing scientific sources showed even higher likelihood of practicing protective measures (OR = 3.577, p = 0.046), despite being a minority. The study also found that females and older individuals were more likely to engage in protective behaviors, aligning with global trends in health risk perception. Participants with higher exposure to risk-related information and better knowledge about Covid-19 exhibited stronger compliance with health protocols, including mask use, handwashing, and social distancing. These findings highlight the critical importance of credible information in shaping public health behavior. Effective risk communication strategies must not only prioritize accuracy but also consider the sociocultural context, utilizing trusted local actors and informal settings like coffee shops as communication channels. Strengthening information literacy and tailoring messages to demographic characteristics are essential steps to enhance public compliance and resilience in future health crises. Copyright © 2025 (Syam, Marzuki, Yanuar, Aminullah, Sartika). Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial Generic (cc by-nc).
Department of Communication, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh, Indonesia; Department of Statistics, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh, Indonesia; Department of Communication and Islamic Broadcasting, Universitas Islam Al-Aziziyah, Indonesia
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