Changes in Preventive Behavior During the First 3 Months of the COVID-19 Outbreak in Iran

Overview

Journal Disaster Med Public Health Prep

Publisher Cambridge University Press

Specialty Public Health

Date 2020 Oct 12

PMID 33040769

Citations 3

Authors

Abbas Shamsalinia

Sepideh Mohammadi

Fatemeh Ghaffari

Tajmohammad Arazi

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objectives: Iran is facing a big challenge controlling the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, and it is unclear to how individuals are engaging in preventive behaviors. This study aimed to investigate changes in preventive behaviors during the first 3 mo of the COVID-19 outbreak in Iran.

Method: This cross-sectional survey was conducted on 1477 adults aged 18 y and older in 31 provinces of Iran. Data were collected by an anonymous online questionnaire.

Result: Overall, engagement in preventive behaviors was relatively acceptable, and more than 45% of subjects always carried out all preventive behaviors. Engaging in all preventive behaviors had a peak in the second month and obviously declined during third month. Engagement in some preventive behaviors, such as "wearing a face mask" and "keeping a safe distance from others," was observed less than other behaviors. There was a statistically significant difference in the engagement in preventive behaviors by gender and occupation ( < 0.001).

Conclusions: Although engagement in preventive behaviors was relatively acceptable for the first 2 mo of the outbreak, it has declined gradually. This is a warning for public health decision makers. COVID-19 is still a crucial issue in Iran, and it is necessary that government decision be based on the fact that Iranian people must live with a coronavirus for months, with full caution and compliance toward all preventive care protocols.

Citing Articles

The Relationship between Daily Behavior Changes and Vaccine Attitudes at the Early Stage of the COVID-19 Pandemic among Japanese People from Different Demographics: A Retrospective and Exploratory Examination Using a Free-Response Survey.

Kikutani M, Matsui M, Takiguchi Y Vaccines (Basel). 2023; 11(1).

PMID: 36680036 PMC: 9862657. DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11010192.

Perceived stress and quality of life among frontline nurses fighting against COVID-19: A web-based cross-sectional study.

Amjadi S, Mohammadi S, Khojastehrad A J Educ Health Promot. 2022; 11:128.

PMID: 35677258 PMC: 9170227. DOI: 10.4103/jehp.jehp_175_21.

Risk perception, attitude, and practice related to COVID-19: A cross-sectional study among 1085 Iranian healthcare workers.

Roshanshad R, Roshanshad A, Molavi Vardanjani H, Mashhadiagha A, Mobarakabadi M, Hoveidaei A Ann Med Surg (Lond). 2021; 70:102865.

PMID: 34567550 PMC: 8450226. DOI: 10.1016/j.amsu.2021.102865.

References

Brewer N, Chapman G, Gibbons F, Gerrard M, McCaul K, Weinstein N . Meta-analysis of the relationship between risk perception and health behavior: the example of vaccination. Health Psychol. 2007; 26(2):136-45. DOI: 10.1037/0278-6133.26.2.136. View

Morrison L, Yardley L . What infection control measures will people carry out to reduce transmission of pandemic influenza? A focus group study. BMC Public Health. 2009; 9:258. PMC: 2720966. DOI: 10.1186/1471-2458-9-258. View

Tuite A, Bogoch I, Sherbo R, Watts A, Fisman D, Khan K . Estimation of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Burden and Potential for International Dissemination of Infection From Iran. Ann Intern Med. 2020; 172(10):699-701. PMC: 7081176. DOI: 10.7326/M20-0696. View

Imtiaz A, Khan N, Hossain M . COVID-19 in Bangladesh: measuring differences in individual precautionary behaviors among young adults. Z Gesundh Wiss. 2021; 30(6):1473-1484. PMC: 7787402. DOI: 10.1007/s10389-020-01453-2. View

Vahedian-Azimi A, Moayed M, Rahimibashar F, Shojaei S, Ashtari S, Pourhoseingholi M . Comparison of the severity of psychological distress among four groups of an Iranian population regarding COVID-19 pandemic. BMC Psychiatry. 2020; 20(1):402. PMC: 7414274. DOI: 10.1186/s12888-020-02804-9. View

Lau J, Yang X, Tsui H, Kim J . Monitoring community responses to the SARS epidemic in Hong Kong: from day 10 to day 62. J Epidemiol Community Health. 2003; 57(11):864-70. PMC: 1732318. DOI: 10.1136/jech.57.11.864. View

Lau J, Tsui H, Kim J, Griffiths S . Perceptions about status and modes of H5N1 transmission and associations with immediate behavioral responses in the Hong Kong general population. Prev Med. 2006; 43(5):406-10. DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2006.06.007. View

Wise T, Zbozinek T, Michelini G, Hagan C, Mobbs D . Changes in risk perception and self-reported protective behaviour during the first week of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. R Soc Open Sci. 2020; 7(9):200742. PMC: 7540790. DOI: 10.1098/rsos.200742. View

Rothan H, Byrareddy S . The epidemiology and pathogenesis of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak. J Autoimmun. 2020; 109:102433. PMC: 7127067. DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2020.102433. View

10.

Bish A, Michie S . Demographic and attitudinal determinants of protective behaviours during a pandemic: a review. Br J Health Psychol. 2010; 15(Pt 4):797-824. PMC: 7185452. DOI: 10.1348/135910710X485826. View

11.

Wang C, Pan R, Wan X, Tan Y, Xu L, Ho C . Immediate Psychological Responses and Associated Factors during the Initial Stage of the 2019 Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Epidemic among the General Population in China. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020; 17(5). PMC: 7084952. DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17051729. View

12.

Abdi M . Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in Iran: Actions and problems. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2020; 41(6):754-755. PMC: 7137533. DOI: 10.1017/ice.2020.86. View

13.

Cava M, Fay K, Beanlands H, McCay E, Wignall R . Risk perception and compliance with quarantine during the SARS outbreak. J Nurs Scholarsh. 2006; 37(4):343-7. DOI: 10.1111/j.1547-5069.2005.00059.x. View

14.

Tang C, Wong C . Psychosocial factors influencing the practice of preventive behaviors against the severe acute respiratory syndrome among older Chinese in Hong Kong. J Aging Health. 2005; 17(4):490-506. DOI: 10.1177/0898264305277966. View

15.

Lau J, Kim J, Tsui H, Griffiths S . Perceptions related to human avian influenza and their associations with anticipated psychological and behavioral responses at the onset of outbreak in the Hong Kong Chinese general population. Am J Infect Control. 2007; 35(1):38-49. PMC: 7132695. DOI: 10.1016/j.ajic.2006.07.010. View

16.

Tang C, Wong C . Factors influencing the wearing of facemasks to prevent the severe acute respiratory syndrome among adult Chinese in Hong Kong. Prev Med. 2004; 39(6):1187-93. PMC: 7133369. DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2004.04.032. View

17.

Yuan J, Li M, Lv G, Lu Z . Monitoring transmissibility and mortality of COVID-19 in Europe. Int J Infect Dis. 2020; 95:311-315. PMC: 7102547. DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2020.03.050. View

18.

Heidari M, Sayfouri N . Did Persian Nowruz Aggravate the 2019 Coronavirus Disease Crisis in Iran?. Disaster Med Public Health Prep. 2020; 14(4):e5-e6. PMC: 7308620. DOI: 10.1017/dmp.2020.178. View

19.

Harper C, Satchell L, Fido D, Latzman R . Functional Fear Predicts Public Health Compliance in the COVID-19 Pandemic. Int J Ment Health Addict. 2020; 19(5):1875-1888. PMC: 7185265. DOI: 10.1007/s11469-020-00281-5. View

20.

Leung K, Wu J, Liu D, Leung G . First-wave COVID-19 transmissibility and severity in China outside Hubei after control measures, and second-wave scenario planning: a modelling impact assessment. Lancet. 2020; 395(10233):1382-1393. PMC: 7195331. DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(20)30746-7. View