Table 3

The results of factor analysis referring to the items in TPB

Indicators	Factor 1	Factor 2	Factor 3	Factor 4	Factor 5	Factor 6
How great do you perceive the overall risk of the COVID-19 pandemic to be?	0.029	0.045	−0.146	−0.041	0.026	0.882
How great do you perceive the risk of infection?	0.071	−0.209	0.406	−0.049	0.393	0.446
The proportion of others wearing masks in public places.	−0.048	−0.065	−0.083	−0.034	0.801	0.120
I am able to make decisions about COVID-19 based on my existing knowledge without seeking additional information.	−0.092	0.931	0.122	0.087	−0.048	0.002
I can make a fully informed decision about COVID-19 based on my previous experience.	−0.074	0.926	0.152	0.110	−0.059	−0.008
When I encounter information about COVID-19, I make an effort to carefully analyse it.	0.016	0.136	0.108	0.887	0.003	−0.005
When I encounter information about COVID-19, I am likely to stop and think about it.	−0.006	0.050	0.155	0.885	−0.050	−0.057
The virus mainly infects the elderly, and young people need not be concerned about it.	0.695	−0.049	−0.020	−0.001	0.278	−0.120
If you do not eat wild animals or seafood, you will not be infected with COVID-19.	0.476	0.012	−0.122	0.001	0.490	−0.185
You must wash your hands when you come in from outside.	0.798	−0.075	0.000	−0.021	−0.100	0.127
It is important to eat a balanced diet and maintain a positive mood to prevent infection.	0.810	−0.061	0.042	0.029	−0.082	0.079
I can avoid COVID-19 infection.	−0.019	0.134	0.850	0.115	−0.072	−0.025
I know how to avoid COVID-19.	−0.006	0.174	0.804	0.183	−0.080	−0.105