Predicting the Preventive Health Behaviors of People Towards COVID-19 in Bandar Abbas, Iran Based on the Health Belief Model

Objective:

 Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a novel disease that caused pandemic. Due to the lack of definitive treatment, preventive behaviors are the only way to fight this disease. This study aims to determine the role of health belief model (HBM) constructs in predicting preventive behaviors against COVID-19 in Bandar Abbas, Iran.

Methods :

This cross-sectional study was conducted in October and November of 2020 on 351 people aged ≥18 years in Bandar Abbas, southern Iran. Sampling was done online (social media such as WhatsApp, Telegram, Twitter and Instagram) using a convenience sampling method. The data collection tool was a researcher-made questionnaire based on the HBM. The data were analyzed in SPSS software, version 21 using chi-square test, multivariate linear regression, and Pearson’s correlation test.

Results :

The Mean±SD age of participants was 29.11±7.19 years. Most of them (66.4%) were female. The constructs of perceived susceptibility (P=0.001), perceived severity (P=0.20), perceived benefits (P=0.001) and self-efficacy (P=0.001) could predict preventive behaviors against COVID-19. According to the Adjusted R2 value (0.674), the model predicted 67% of changes in preventive behaviors.

Conclusion :

The self-efficacy, perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, and perceived benefits have a role in predicting COVID-19 preventive behaviors. Attention should be given to these factors for promoting preventive behaviors during the pandemic.