Risk Perception and Behavioral Response to COVID-19: A Survey of University Students and Staff in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region.
Soc Work Public Health
; 36(4): 474-485, 2021 05 19.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1192716
ABSTRACT
This study explores the risk perceptions and behavioral responses of university academics and students toward the COVID-19 pandemic. All universities in Iraqi Kurdistan were invited to take part in a self-administered online survey; 976 individuals ultimately completed it. The survey included eight main questions about personal risk perception and behavioral response to COVID-19 based on a five- or nine-point ordinal scale. A high percentage of the respondents perceived it as highly unlikely they were at risk of getting infection (26.9%), serious illness (29.7%), and death (41.7%). The percentage of the respondents who applied protective measures frequently or always was high for most protective behavior types, except for wearing masks, wearing gloves, and avoiding touching the face. There was a significant (P < .001) weak positive correlation between risk perception and protective behaviors. The respondents followed protective behavior measures reasonably, but the frequency of undertaking some important protective behaviors was relatively low.
Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Pneumonia, Viral
/
Students
/
Health Behavior
/
Faculty
/
COVID-19
Type of study:
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
/
Randomized controlled trials
Limits:
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Country/Region as subject:
Asia
Language:
English
Journal:
Soc Work Public Health
Journal subject:
Public Health
Year:
2021
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
19371918.2021.1915909
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