COVID-19 Preventive Behaviors and its Related Beliefs among Health Workers: The Role of Threat and Coping Appraisals

Abstract

Health workers are at high risk of novel coronavirus (Covid-19) and preventive behaviors play an important role in reducing the incidence and deaths of this infection. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate COVID-19 Preventive Behaviors and its Related Beliefs among Health Workers of Hamadan province using the Extended Parallel Process Model (EPPM). Instruments & Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 950 health workers in Hamadan, in 2020 who were selected by multistage random sampling method. The data were collected using a questionnaire including demographic information and EPPM constructs. Data were analyzed in STATA 14 using descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation test. Findings: Behaviors of avoiding contact with others and frequent hand washing with soap and water with 97.8% and 95.3%, respectively, had the highest frequency among health personnel. The condition of EPPM constructs was evaluated at a relatively favorable level. Also, 46.0% of health personnel were involved in the risk perception process. Conclusion: It is necessary to improve the level of perceived self-efficacy of employees and also to emphasize the effectiveness of the recommended strategies in the prevention of Covid-19 disease.

Keywords

• attitude
• coronavirus (covid-19)
• prevention and control
• health workers