ABSTRACT
The current study investigated the motives that underlie support for COVID-19 preventive behaviorsin a large, cross-cultural sample of 12,758 individuals from 34 countries. We hypothesized that the associations of empathic prosocial concern and fear of disease, with support towards preventive COVID-19 behaviors would be moderated by the individual-level and country-level trust in the government. Results suggest that the association between fear of disease and support for COVID-19 preventive behaviors was strongest when trust in the government was weak (both at individual and country-level). Conversely, the association with empathic prosocial concern was strongest when trust was high, but this moderation was only found at individual-level scores of governmental trust. We discuss how both fear and empathy motivations to support preventive COVID-19 behaviors may be shaped by socio-cultural context, and outline how the present findings may contribute to a better understanding of collective action during global crises.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Cognition DisordersABSTRACT
BackgroundMany efforts are being made around the world to discover the vaccine against COVID-19. After discovering the vaccine, its acceptance by individuals is a fundamental issue for disease control. This study aimed to examine COVID-19 vaccination intention determinants based on the protection motivation theory (PMT). Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study in the Iranian adult population and surveyed study participants from the first to the 30th of June 2020 with a web-based self-administered questionnaire. We used Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to investigate the interrelationship between COVID-19 vaccination intention and perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived self-efficacy, and perceived response efficacy. Results SEM showed that perceived severity to COVID-19 (β=.17, p < .001), perceived self-efficacy about receiving the COVID-19 vaccine (β=.26, p < .001), and the perceived response efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine (β=.70, p < .001) were significant predictors of vaccination intention. PMT accounted for 61.5% of the variance in intention to COVID-19 vaccination, and response efficacy was the strongest predictor of COVID-19 vaccination intention. ConclusionsThis study found the PMT constructs are useful in predicting COVID-19 vaccination intention. Programs designed to increase the vaccination rate after discovering the COVID-19 vaccine can include interventions on the severity of the COVID-19, the self-efficacy of individuals receiving the vaccine, and the effectiveness of the vaccine in preventing infection.
Subject(s)
COVID-19ABSTRACT
Background Iran was one of the first countries to be affected by COVID-19. Identifying factors associated with the severity of COVID-19 is useful in disease management. This study investigated the epidemiological and clinical features and factors related to severe COVID-19 in Iran's less-privileged area.MethodsIn a multicenter study, all patients admitted to Zahedan University of Medical Sciences hospitals located in southeastern Iran were investigated from February 29 to April 31, 2020. The demographic, epidemiological, and clinical data of patients were extracted from medical records. To explore the risk factors associated with the severity of COVID-19, bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used. ResultsAmong the 413 patients, 55.5% were male, and 145 (35.10%) were in severe condition at admission time. Multivariate analysis showed that the adjusted odds of the disease severity increased in patients with older age (OR 3.51; 95% CI, 2.28-5.40), substance abuse (OR 2.22; 95% CI, 2.05-5.78), and at least one underlying disease (OR 3.45; 95% CI, 1.01-1.32).Conclusions COVID-19 was more severe in older patients, patients with a history of substance abuse, and patients with at least one underlying disease. Understanding the factors affecting the disease severity can help for the clinical management of COVID-19, especially in less privileged areas where fewer resources are available.