Determinants of COVID-19 Preventive Behaviors among Women of Reproductive Age in Urmia using a Behavioral Change Model in 2021

ABSTRACT

Aims The present study aimed to investigate the determinants of COVID-19 preventive behaviors among women of reproductive age in Urmia using a behavioral change model. Instrument & Methods The present descriptive-analytical study examined 400 women selected by the snowball and convenience sampling method. Data were collected using a valid and reliable electronic researcher-made questionnaire consisting of four sections (demographic characteristics, knowledge, model constructs, and preventive behaviors) and analyzed by the descriptive and inferential statistical methods by SPSS 16. Findings There was a positive correlation between COVID-19 preventive behaviors with self-efficacy (p<0.001, r=0.68), knowledge (r<0.26, p<0.001), cues to action (p<0.001, r=0.29), perceived benefits (p<0.001, r=0.43), perceived susceptibility (p=0.002, r=0.15), and perceived severity (p<0.001, r=0.20), and a negative and significant correlation with perceived barriers (p<0.001, r=-0.32). The constructs of the health belief model predicted 50% of the variance of preventive behaviors, and the self-efficacy construct (p<0.001, β=0.5388) was the strongest predictor. Conclusion Given the effective role of the research model in explaining the determinants of the COVID-19 preventive behaviors, the health belief model (HBM) and effective constructs can be used in educational planning and interventions. © 2022, the Authors.