Perceived barriers to the implementation of social distancing in the COVID-19 pandemic in Iran during 2020-2021: A cross-sectional study.

ABSTRACT

Background and Aims: This research has been on the effective role of social distancing in preventing the spread of COVID-19 and the obstacles to its implementation. The results of this research can highlight the major barriers to distancing and suggest appropriate solutions to remove them. Methods: We conducted this cross-sectional study during 2020-2021 among 277 faculty members, students of medical universities and ordinary people of Khuzestan province in southwestern Iran. We included them in this study by sampling at convenience. The data collection tool was a researcher-constructed questionnaire that we distributed among the statistical sample through social networks (WhatsApp and Telegram). Results: Mean ± SD = economic barriers 4.49 (0.65), cultural barriers 4.48 (0.70), social barriers 4.40 (0.61), political barriers 4.28 (0.64), educational barriers in universities and schools 4.27 (0.53) and Educational barriers at societal level 3.82 (1.08) were the self-reported obstacles (perceived) to social distancing during the Covid-19 pandemic. Comparison of occupational groups with faculty members showed that only scores of academic barriers have a significant difference between occupational groups (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The role of economic barriers, cultural barriers and social barriers in social distancing was very prominent. One of our remarkable results was that there is adequate training for people on the proper implementation of the principles of social distance in the prevention of the Covid-19 pandemic. The responsibility of all members of society to observe social distancing as a moral and even legal duty can be the first step to protect the health of citizens against COVID-19. We can, therefore, use some planned interventions. This must be within the framework of economic, cultural, social and political structures of society.