ABSTRACT
Background and purpose: Considering the global spread of COVID-19, it seems that correct information obtained from reliable sources and training based on the need for self-care behaviors are useful solutions to reduce the harm caused by the disease. This study aimed at assessing the educational needs of people in Mazandaran province about COVID-19. Materials and methods: In a cross-sectional study, 1220 people were recruited via convenience sampling in 2020. A researcher-made questionnaire was administered and information such as demographic characteristics, disease condition, and educational needs for COVID-19 were recorded. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and parametric tests, correlation, analysis of variance, and t-test. Results: The mean age of the participants was 39.34 ± 8.74. Educational level included diploma (42.5%) and university education (38.9%). About 73.3% of the participants were women. According to findings the main sources of information about COVID-19 were social networks (68.4%), satellite programs (20.9%), Ministry of Health notices (8.1%), national media (1.6%), other sources (0.6%), and family members (0.4%). Online methods were the most desirable educational methods (94.6%) reported by the people living in Mazandaran province. The overall mean score for educational needs was 3.89±0.96. The educational need for the disease (3.76±0.84) and self-care needs (4.03±1.07) indicated high needs for educational trainings and significant differences between these areas (P=001). Conclusion: In this study, social networks and media were the primary sources of information about COVID-19. Designing and implementing self-management and self-care training programs could improve the health of people in Mazandaran province and prevent the spread of COVID-19. [ FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Journal of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences (JMUMS) is the property of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full . (Copyright applies to all s.)
ABSTRACT
Background and purpose: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by the new corona virus. The disease has led to high death toll and extensive damage throughout the world. The aim of this study was to determine the predictors of COVID-19 preventive behaviors in Iranian population based on the Health Belief Model. Materials and methods: A descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was carried out in 400 individuals older than 18 years of age in Mazandaran Province, Iran 2020. They were selected using convenience sampling in social networks. Data were collected by a researcher-made scale based on Health Belief Model. Data analysis was done applying Pearson correlation coefficient and linear regression. Results: There were significant positive correlations between preventive behaviors of COVID-19 and perceived susceptibility (r=0.2, P=0.000), perceived benefits (r=0.127, P=0.011), perceived barriers (r=0.189, P=0.000), and perceived self-efficacy (r=0.302, P=0.000). The Health Belief Model constructs predicted 26% of variance for preventive behaviors of COVID-19, among which, perceived self-efficacy (β=0.220) was the most powerful predictor. Conclusion: This study confirmed the predictive role of self-efficacy in COVID-19 preventive behaviors according to the Health Belief Model. Thus, providing ways to increase self-efficacy such as verbal persuasion, increasing awareness about people abilities, and providing them with suitable models could promote preventive behaviors toward COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Journal of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences (JMUMS) is the property of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)