Egyptians’ Perceptions of COVID-19: Applying the Health Belief Model: A Cross-sectional Study

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Many studies have found that assessing COVID-19 preventive behaviors using the health belief model (HBM) to understand both motives and fears is critical to better controlling the disease. AIM: The aim of the study was to assess the perceptions of social distancing as a preventive measure during the COVID-19 pandemic using the HBM among a sample of the Egyptian population. METHODS: An exploratory cross-sectional study was conducted using an online survey distributed through one of Egypt’s most popular social media platforms. Four hundred and seventy people responded to the survey. The survey constructed of two sections;the first section for sociodemographic data and Section 2 was for HBM constructs of self-efficacy, perceived susceptibility, and severity to COVID-19 prevention benefits and barriers. RESULTS: More than half of the participants (59.8%) were in the age range of 20–29, with an average age of 29.0 ± 6.4 years. Two hundred ninety-seven participants (63.2%) were females;60.2% lived in the canal region;57.9% were single;and 70% had university degrees. There were statistically significant differences regarding gender;females’ perceived higher scores in almost all model constructs (benefits, susceptibility, severity, self-efficacy, and total score). Many statistically significant differences were observed;those who were older than 30 years had higher scores in barriers, benefits, self-efficacy, and total score than younger ones. Similarly, married participants reported higher scores in barriers, benefits, self-efficacy, and total score than younger ones. Postgraduate education perceived higher scores than university in benefits, susceptibility, self-efficacy, and total score. CONCLUSION: In the present study, the majority of respondents had relatively high perceived benefits, severity, and self-efficacy, with the lower perceived self-COVID-19 susceptibility but higher for family members. Females perceived higher scores in almost all model constructs (benefits, susceptibility, severity, self-efficacy, and total score).