Related factors on the preventive behaviors of covid-19 in the elderly aged 60-75 years in Mashhad in 1400

coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) is a new and contagious disease. Elderly and immunocompromised people with other underlying diseases are severely affected by Covid-19 and have higher mortality rates. This study was conducted with the aim of investigating related factors on the preventive behaviors of covid-19 in the elderly 60-75 years old in Mashhad based on the protection motivation theory. 

This cross-sectional study was conducted in 1400 on 270 elderly people aged 60-75 years covered by health care centers in Mashhad. Random sampling was done from 5 health centers in Mashhad city and according to the covered population. The desired information was collected through a researcher-made questionnaire and self-reporting. The collected data were analyzed by SPSS version 27 software

Based on the research findings, perceived self-efficacy was found to be the strongest significant predictor (P>0.001, β=0.340) of preventive behaviors against Covid-19. The highest mean related to the structure of perceived response efficiency (23.13 ± 1.99) and the lowest mean related to the fear structure (12.14 ± 3.34) were calculated. Also, the constructs of protection motivation theory predict 67% of the variance of corona prevention behaviors in the elderly.

The findings of the present study showed that by using the theory of protection motivation, it is possible to predict preventive behaviors against covid-19. According to the obtained results, the constructs of perceived sensitivity, perceived response efficiency, perceived self-efficacy and protection motivation are effective in explaining protective behaviors. By increasing knowledge, awareness and identifying disease prevention strategies, people's self-efficacy also increases and more people try to observe the desired behaviors.