Determinants of prevention behaviours against COVID-19 disease based on health belief model

Abstract

Backgrounds: Due to the outbreak and pandemic of COVID-19, the following of recommended preventive guidelines and health behaviors in community is important, in order to further control this disease. The present study was conducted among oil industry shift workers, as a high-risk group, to investigate the determinants of prevention behaviors against COVID-19 disease based on Health Belief Model. Methods: This cross-sectional research was performed among 250 shift workers who were randomly selected from the oil field of Khuzestan province of southern Iran. Data collection tools were a questionnaire that included demographic characteristics, Health Belief Model and prevention behaviors questionnaires and also knowledge questionnaire. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS. Results: Correlation analysis showed positive correlations between the behavior and the perceived benefit, self-efficacy, perceived severity, perceived susceptibility, and knowledge, while negative correlation was observed between the behavior and perceived barrier. Results determined that Health Belief Model was able to explain 54% of the variance in the COVID-19 prevention behaviors. According to the linear regression analysis, the most predictive variable was perceived benefits, and the second one was self-efficacy. Conclusion: Designing educational interventions based on Health Belief Model, in future studies, can be considered as a suitable framework to adherence and follow the health behaviors of COVID-19 and also to correct the individuals’ beliefs. Furthermore, health information groups and health educators must highlight the points to overcome the behavior obstacles and consequently to increase self-efficacy, and also must emphasize the benefits of preventive behaviors, especially in high-risk groups.

Keywords

• Coronavirus
• Health Belief Model
• Protective behaviors