Determinants of Self-Care Behavior among Pregnant Women during COVID-19 Pandemic in Isfahan, Iran, According to Extended Parallel Process Model

Due to the prevalence of coronavirus infection in Iran and the greater susceptibility of pregnant women to the disease, this study aimed to investigate the predictors of pregnant women's self-care behavior in coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) epidemic using the Extended Parallel Process Model (EPPM).

This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 309 pregnant women in Isfahan City, Iran. The samples were selected using two-stage cluster sampling method from 14 health centers in Isfahan City. In order to collect data, participants completed a researcher-made questionnaire based on EPPM constructs online. The collected data were analyzed using Spearman correlation coefficient and hierarchical linear regression tests via SPSS software.

The mean age of the participants was 29.00 ± 6.25 years. Overall, the four variables of “perceived sensitivity, perceived severity, self-efficacy, and response efficiency” constituted about 44% of the total variance of protective behaviors in pregnant women (adjusted R2 = 0.42%, P = 0.030). Among them, the constructs of self-efficacy (β = 0.41) and response efficiency (β = 0.15) had the greatest power in predicting self-care behavior (P < 0.050).

Self-efficacy and response efficiency constructs have been the main determinants of self-care behaviors of pregnant women during COVID-19 disease. Therefore, in order to promote self-care behaviors in pregnant women, more emphasis can be placed on strategies of improving the mentioned constructs.