Predictive Factors of Adopting Covid-19 Preventive Behaviors Among the Urban Population: An Application of The Health Belief Model

COVID-19 is a contagious respiratory infection. Due to the resistance of new virus variants to existing vaccines, the best way is to adopt preventive behaviors. But most people don’t follow them. Understanding the factors affecting people's decision making in adherence to behaviors is essential. Constructs of models can be effective in predicting behavior. Hence, the present study aimed to determine the Predictive factors of adopting COVID-19 Preventive behaviors by using the health belief model.

This descriptive-analytical study was conducted by cross-sectional method in 1400 among 500 Urmia citizens who were selected by convenience sampling method. Data were collected by using a researcher-made questionnaire with four sections including demographic variables, items of knowledge, constructs of health belief model and COVID-19 Preventive behaviors. Data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficient and linear regression in SPSS software.

The mean and standard deviation of preventive behaviors was 22.37 ± 3.22. It was also shown that among the constructs of the HBM, self-efficacy, knowledge, cues to action, benefits, and barriers were predictors of COVID-19 preventive behaviors. Overall, these variables, along with demographic characteristics could predict 47% of behavioral changes.

In designing educational interventions, special emphasis should be placed on the self-efficacy construct as the most important predictor of adopting COVID-19 preventive behaviors among citizens.