scholarly journals How Information Sources, Risk Perception, and Efficacy Appraisal Predicted Engagement in Protective Behaviors Against COVID-19: A Repeated Cross-Sectional Survey in China (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jian Raymond Rui ◽  
Keqing Yang ◽  
Juan Chen
Keyword(s):  
Risk Perception ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Protective Behaviors ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Perceived Susceptibility ◽  
Perceived Severity ◽  
Response Efficacy ◽  
Protective Actions ◽  
Expert Sources

BACKGROUND As the COVID-19 pandemic has become a major public health threat worldwide, it is critical to understand what factors affect individual engagement in protective actions. Because of its authoritarian political system and state-owned media system, how Chinese individuals engaged in protective actions against COVID-19 might be different compared to other countries. OBJECTIVE The purpose of the present study is to examine how the source of information about COVID-19, Chinese individuals’ risk perception of COVID-19 (i.e., perceived severity and perceived susceptibility), and their efficacy appraisal in controlling COVID-19 (i.e., response efficacy and self-efficacy) affected their engagement in protective actions. Additionally, this study aims to investigate whether there is any difference in these relationships throughout the duration of this pandemic. METHODS A six-wave repeated cross-sectional survey (N = 1942) was conducted in six major cities in China between February 7 and April 23, 2020. Participants’ reliance on expert versus inexpert sources for information about COVID-19, their perceived severity of and susceptibility to COVID-19, their response efficacy and self-efficacy, and their engagement in protective actions (staying at home, wearing a facemask, and washing hands) were measured. Demographic variables (sex, age, income, education, and city of residence), knowledge of COVID-19, and self-rated health condition were controlled. RESULTS Reliance on expert sources did not become the major factor that motivated these actions until wave 3, and the negative effect of inexpert sources on these actions was limited to wave 2. Perceived severity encouraged some protective behaviors but its effect varied depending on the specific behavior. In addition, perceived severity exhibited a stronger effect on these behaviors compared to perceived susceptibility. The positive effect of response efficacy was only significant at waves 1 and 2 and limited to certain behaviors. CONCLUSIONS Chinese individuals’ engagement in protective behaviors might not entirely be their autonomous decision but a result of compliance with executive orders. After the early outbreak, expert sources started to facilitate protective behaviors, suggesting that it might take time to develop trust in these sources. The facilitating effect of perceived severity lasted throughout the duration of the pandemic, but that of response efficacy was limited to the early stage. CLINICALTRIAL

scholarly journals What affected Chinese parents’ decisions about tuberculosis (TB) treatment: Implications based on a cross-sectional survey

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. e0245691
Author(s):  
Tingsong Xia ◽  
Juan Chen ◽  
Jian Rui ◽  
Jinxu Li ◽  
Yuli Guo
Keyword(s):  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Risk Perceptions ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Perceived Susceptibility ◽  
Perceived Severity ◽  
Response Efficacy ◽  
Tb Treatment ◽  
Chinese Parents

Objective Although progress has been made in tuberculosis (TB) treatment, China still remains one of the high-burden TB countries. One important reason that has not received sufficient scholarly attention is that Chinese individuals tend to underestimate the threat of TB. This contributed to the high rate of delay in seeking TB treatment and noncompliance with doctors’ regimen. Hence, this research examined how TB knowledge affected Chinese parents’ risk perceptions and their efficacy appraisal in TB treatment, and how their risk perception and efficacy appraisal affected their intentions to seek timely TB treatment for their children and adhere to doctors’ regimen. Methods We conducted an online cross-sectional survey with 1129 parents of children attending kindergarten, primary school, and middle school in Shajing, a region with high TB incidence in China. Perceived severity of TB threat to self and to others, perceived susceptibility, response efficacy, and self-efficacy were measured, in addition to TB knowledge and intentions to seek timely TB treatment and adhere to doctors’ regimens. Results Ordinal least squares regression demonstrated that TB knowledge was positively associated with perceived severity of TB threat to self, perceived severity of TB threat to others, perceived susceptibility, response efficacy, and self-efficacy, but it did not affect their medical decisions. In addition, binary logistic regression revealed that response efficacy and self-efficacy predicted both intentions positively, and perceived severity of TB threat to self only enhanced Chinese individuals’ intention to follow doctors’ regimens. Conclusion Health education aimed at knowledge improvement may be effective in changing one’s perceptions of the given health threat but may not be effective to change their behavior. Thus, practitioners need to focus on changing Chinese parents’ perceptions of TB rather than simply improving their knowledge. Specifically, it is necessary to lower their efficacy in self-management and enhance their perceived infectiousness of TB.

scholarly journals The impacts of knowledge, risk perception, emotion and information on citizens’ protective behaviors during the outbreak of COVID-19: a cross-sectional study in China

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Liangwen Ning ◽  
Jinyu Niu ◽  
Xuejing Bi ◽  
Chao Yang ◽  
Ze Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Perception ◽  
Negative Emotion ◽  
Good Health ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Protective Behaviors ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Perceived Severity ◽  
Educational Differences ◽  
Governmental Communication

Abstract Background Individual protective behaviors play an important role in the control of the spread of infectious diseases. This study aimed to investigate the adoption of protective behaviors by Chinese citizens amid the COVID-19 outbreak and its associated factors. Methods An online cross-sectional survey was conducted from 22 January to 14 February 2020 through Wenjuanxing platform, measuring their knowledge, risk perception, negative emotion, response to official communication, and protective behaviors in relation to COVID-19. A total of 3008 people completed the questionnaire, of which 2845 were valid questionnaires. Results On average, 71% of respondents embraced protective behaviors. Those who made no error in the knowledge test (AOR = 1.77, p < 0.001) perceived the high severity of the epidemic (AOR = 1.90, p < 0.001), had high negative emotion (AOR = 1.36, p = 0.005), reported good health (AOR = 1.94, p < 0.001), paid high attention to the governmental media (AOR = 4.16, p < 0.001) and trusted the governmental media (AOR = 1.97, p < 0.001) were more likely to embrace protective behaviors after adjustments for variations in potential confounding factors. Women and older people were also more likely to embrace protective behaviors. No regional or educational differences were found in the adoption of protective behaviors. Conclusion The majority of Chinese citizens embraced protective behaviors. Higher levels of protective behaviors are associated with higher knowledge, perceived severity, negative emotion, and attention to and trust in the official governmental media. Official governmental communication is the largest single predictor of protective behaviors.

scholarly journals Health Belief Associated with Adherence to Health Protocol in Preventing Coronavirus Diseases on Patients’ Family

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (B) ◽  
pp. 1011-1015
Author(s):  
Riza Fikriana ◽  
Frastiqa Fahrany ◽  
Syahril Ali Rusli
Keyword(s):  
Health Beliefs ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Health Belief ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Hospital Environment ◽  
Perceived Benefits ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Perceived Susceptibility ◽  
Significance Level ◽  
Perceived Severity

BACKGROUND: Adherence with health protocols during the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic is very important to prevent transmission. However, it is obtained that adherence with health protocols is still not optimal. The hospital environment is an area that is at high risk of transmission. AIM: The purpose of this study is to analyze the relationship between health belief and adherence with the health protocol in the patient’s family. METHODS: Quantitative research is correlated with a cross-sectional approach. The sample is the family of patients at the hospital, which was taken with simple random sampling technique as many as 100 people. Research variables include perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits, perceived barrier, self-efficacy, and adherence with health protocols. Data collection was using questionnaire instruments. Data analysis was using Fisher test with a significance level of 95%. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Fisher’s test results obtained data that there is a relationship between health belief in the dimensions of perceived susceptibility (p = 0.007), perceived severity (p = 0.027), perceived benefits (p = 0.003), perceived barriers (p = 0.021), and self-efficacy (p = 0.002) with adherence with health protocols in an effort to prevent the transmission of COVID-19. The patient’s family will be willing to implement health protocols if they have a high health belief in efforts to prevent the transmission of COVID-19. This health belief includes the belief that COVID-19 disease is easily contagious and serious; adherence will provide benefits for health. CONCLUSION: Health beliefs are significantly related to adherence with health protocols in the prevention of COVID-19 transmission in the patient’s family.

scholarly journals Knowledge, Protective Behaviors and Risk Perception of COVID-19 among Dental Students in India: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 574
Author(s):  
Kavita Batra ◽  
Yashashri Urankar ◽  
Ravi Batra ◽  
Aaron F. Gomes ◽  
Meru S ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Perception ◽  
Infection Control ◽  
Dental Students ◽  
Protective Behaviors ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Adequate Knowledge ◽  
Related Risk ◽  
Appropriate Practices

Objective: This study’s objective was to examine the knowledge, performance in practicing protective behaviors, and risk perception of Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) among dental students of India. Methods: A web-based cross-sectional survey was conducted from 10–30 August 2020, involving 381 dental students that were enrolled at the Uttaranchal Dental and Medical Research Institute in India. A web-based structured questionnaire assessed the COVID-19 related knowledge, protective behaviors, and risk perception performance. The independent-samples-t and analysis of variance tests were used to analyze the differences in knowledge, protective behaviors, and perception across the groups. Results: Of the dental students surveyed, 83% had adequate knowledge of COVID-19, and nearly 80% followed appropriate practices regarding COVID-19. The COVID-19 related risk perception was higher among females as compared to males. COVID-19 related knowledge was significantly correlated with preventive behaviors (r = 0.18; p < 0·01) and risk perception (r = 0.10; p < 0.05). We found a high score of COVID-19 related knowledge and precautionary behaviors and moderate risk perception among students. Conclusions: Knowledge and protective behaviors towards infectious diseases, such as COVID-19, have clinical applications in developing educational and formal training programs to promote adherence to the infection control practices among dental students. Clinical significance: The findings of this study will inform policymakers to emphasize on effective risk communication. Dental institutions can incorporate infection control modules in the current curriculum, thereby making future dental professionals capable of performing effective infection control management in the clinical settings. This is critical in improving their knowledge of infection control practices to minimize the risk of nosocomial infections.

scholarly journals COVID-19 risk perception among Indonesians in early stage of the outbreak

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 249
Author(s):  
Ratih Oktri Nanda ◽  
Lolita Lolita ◽  
Wiwik Indayati ◽  
Ivong Rusdiyanti ◽  
Nurjannah Nurjannah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Perception ◽  
Perceived Risk ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Knowledge Score ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Perceived Threat ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Perceived Severity ◽  
Response Efficacy

Indonesia confirmed its first coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) case on 2nd March 2020, when other countries have already reported several numbers in the previous month. This study aimed to explore the risk perception of Indonesians in the early stage of the COVID-19 outbreak. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 495 participants using a web-based questionnaire. Primary data were collected from 3rd to 27th March 2020 including the perceived severity, vulnerability, threat, self, and response efficacy of the participants. The results showed that the perceived threat of the outbreak in its early stage is the second highest compared to other diseases. The perceived severity among the participants was high. However, they had a low vulnerability. Those in the middle region showed a higher level of self and response efficacy. Meanwhile, people who work as private sector employee (β=0.146, p=0.004), live in the western region (β=-0.184, p=0.000), with a higher knowledge score (β=0.096, p=0.032) had a higher perceived threat. These results found those who had high knowledge, was also had higher perceived risk. The most important of these studies have determined various factors related to risk perception, thus it could be good preliminary evidence for public health authorities to arrange an effective way for epidemic control.

Spatial Distance to Epicenter, Risk Perceptions, and Preventive Behaviors Against Health Risks in the Initial Stage of the COVID-19 Pandemic (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diyi Liu ◽  
Sanmei Wen ◽  
Jing Su
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Risk Perceptions ◽  
Regression Models ◽  
Spatial Distance ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Preventive Behaviors ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Perceived Susceptibility ◽  
Perceived Severity

BACKGROUND The rapid global spread of COVID-19 has become a monumental public health emergency. Gauging people’s psychological and behavioral reactions in an initial alerting stage is crucial for helping public health authorities to manage the epidemic. OBJECTIVE To investigate how spatial distance from the epicenter of Wuhan influenced people’s risk perceptions regarding COVID-19. Additionally, how risk perceptions, in concert with demographic variables, influenced the adoption of different preventive behaviors in the early stages of the outbreak. METHODS We conducted a national cross-sectional survey from January 21, 2020 to January 23, 2020. We assessed the association between spatial distance from the epicenter and participants’ risk perceptions using linear regression models. We used binomial logistic regression models to calculate the determinants of the adoption of six preventive behaviors against COVID-19. RESULTS Our data contain 1988 valid responses from 31 provinces in mainland China; 28.2% of respondants resided in Hubei province (n=560). Participant locations were roughly coded into five categories based on their geographical distance from the epicenter. We found that the closer people were to the initial epicenter in Wuhan, the higher susceptibility they felt (β=-.24, t=-11.12, P<.001), while their perceived severity displayed no significant variation based on location (β=-.02, t=-.93, P=.35). Compared with those in the peripheral provinces, people in Hubei and the forth-category provinces reported higher odds of wearing facemasks when going out (odds ratio [OR] 2.635 95%CI 1.33-4.17, P<.001; OR 3.19, 95%CI 1.78-5.72, P<.001, respectively). Participants with higher perceived susceptibility had a higher likelihood of wearing masks (OR 1.15, 95%CI 1.01-1.31, P=.04), however, lower odds of avoiding social gatherings (OR 0.87, 95%CI 0.77-0.99, P=.03) and avoiding visiting Wuhan (OR 0.69, 95%CI 0.61-0.77, P<.001). Participants’ perceived severity was positively associated with their engagement in washing hands and frequent ventilation (OR 1.12, 95%CI 1.00-1.24, P=.05), wearing masks in public (OR 1.39, 95%CI 1.25-1.55, P<.001), avoiding social gathering (OR 1.25, 95%CI 1.12-1.38, P<.001) and avoiding traveling to Wuhan (OR 1.13, 95%CI 1.02-1.25, P=.02). Participants’ sex was also associated with their perceived severity and the engagement of precautionary behaviors. CONCLUSIONS These results characterize an “epicenter effect” early in the pandemic. Our findings expand the understanding of perceived susceptibility and severity, which acted as two distinct dimensions of risk perception, and led to different behavioral outcomes.

scholarly journals The Effect of Bullying on Depression in Adolescents in Surakarta: Application of Health Belief Model

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kiyat Sudrajad ◽  
◽  
RB. Soemanto RB. Soemanto ◽  
Hanung Prasetya ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Belief Model ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Health Belief ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Perceived Susceptibility ◽  
Perceived Severity ◽  
Central Java ◽  
Belief Model ◽  
Victims Of Bullying

Background: Depression is common among adolescents that have been victims of bullying at school or through social media. However, numerous cases of bullying are never reported. Several studies have shown that suicidal ideation is associated with depression in adolescents with bullying. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of bullying on depression in adolescents in Surakarta using Health Belief Model. Subjects and Method: A cross sectional study was carried out in Surakarta, Central Java, in December 2019. A sample of 250 adolescents was selected for this study randomly. The dependent variable was depression. The independent variables were bullying, perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, and self-efficacy. The data were collected by questionnaire and analyzed by a multiple logistic regression. Results: Depression increased with bullying (OR= 3.5; 95% CI= 1.70 to 7.25; p= 0.001), strong perceived susceptibility (OR= 2.86; 95% CI= 1.32 to 6.19; p= 0.008), strong perceived severity (OR= 2.65; 95% CI= 1.20 to 5.88; p= 0.016), and weak self-efficacy (OR= 5.26; 95% CI= 2.49 to 11.09; p<0.001). Conclusion: Depression increases with bullying, strong perceived susceptibility, strong perceived severity, and weak self-efficacy. Keywords: bullying, depression, health belief model Correspondence: Kiyat Sudrajad. Masters Program in Public Health, Universitas Sebelas Maret. Jl. Ir. Sutami 36 A, Surakarta 57126, Central Java. Email: [email protected]. Mobile: +6285647116834. DOI: https://doi.org/10.26911/the6thicph.02.56

scholarly journals Smokeless tobacco use: pattern of use, knowledge and perceptions among rural Bangladeshi adolescents

PeerJ ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. e5463 ◽  
Author(s):  
Md Zahid Ullah ◽  
Jennifer NW Lim ◽  
Marie-Ann Ha ◽  
Md Mostafizur Rahman
Keyword(s):  
Smokeless Tobacco ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Cognitive Theory ◽  
Perceived Barriers ◽  
Good Knowledge ◽  
Fisher Exact Test ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Effective Measure ◽  
Perceived Severity

Background The aim of the study was to investigate the practice and pattern of smokeless tobacco (SLT) use as well as the knowledge and perception about its ill effects among rural Bangladeshi adolescents. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted among students aged 13–18 years in two rural secondary schools in Bangladesh in August 2015. Data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire which consists of topics derived from the Social Cognitive Theory and Health Belief Model (personal characteristics, environmental factors, self-efficacy, outcome expectancies, perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, and cues to action). Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 24. A descriptive analysis was conducted to determine the current pattern of SLT use and knowledge about its ill effects. A chi-square test and Fisher exact test were conducted to explore associations between variables. Lastly, a logistic regression model was used to locate the predictors for current SLT use. Results A total of 790 students participated in the study. Among them, 9.5% (75) had used SLT at least once and 3.7% (29) were current SLT users. Males had a higher incidence of SLT use compared with females. The majority of students (77.3%) initiated SLT use between 10–13 years of age. ‘Zarda’ was the most common type of SLT used and most of the current users (86%) were able to buy SLT without age restrictions. Most of the current users (90%) wanted to quit SLT immediately; however, professional help was not available in schools. Overall, students had a good knowledge about the harmful effects of SLT with 54.8% (428) of respondents scoring in the good knowledge category. However, the majority of never SLT users (55.4%; 396) had a good knowledge compared to ever SLT users (42.7%; 32). Significant predictors of current SLT use included being a student aged 14 years and above (OR = 6.58, 95% CI [2.23–28.31]) as well as the variables of self-efficacy (OR = 5.78, 95% CI [1.46–19.65]), perceived barriers (OR = 0.30, 95% CI [0.10–0.74]), perceived benefit (OR = 0.21, 95% CI [0.05–1.03]) and perceived severity (OR = 0.36, 95% CI [0.16–0.91]). Discussion This study demonstrates the need for comprehensive prevention and control programme in rural schools targeting young adolescents. Effective measure should be taken to reshape the attitude of rural adolescents towards self-confidence and competence, as to prevent SLT use.

scholarly journals Risk Perception and Behavioral Responses Related to COVID-19 Among the Iranian General Population: An Application of the Extended Parallel Process Model

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leila Jahangiry ◽  
Fatemeh Bakhtari ◽  
Zahara Sohrabi ◽  
Parvin Reihani ◽  
Sirous Samei ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Perception ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Process Model ◽  
Behavioral Responses ◽  
Global Public Health ◽  
Perceived Susceptibility ◽  
Response Efficacy ◽  
Control Processes ◽  
Socioeconomic And Demographic Factors

Abstract Background: The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has emerged as a major global public health challenge. Psychosocial and cultural factors affect adherence to health advice. This study aims to investigate how people have perceived the COVID-19 outbreak using the components of EPPM (i.e., recommended response efficacy, self-efficacy, susceptibility, and severity) and how their behavioral responses contributed to the prevention and control of the disease.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted online in Iran in March and April. Data were collected using an electronic questionnaire via Porsline. Participants were recruited using online applications and posts on platforms such as Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram asking people to take part. The posts asked people aged 15 years and over to take part in a study investigating the control and prevention of COVID-19. EPPM was used to develop a questionnaire measuring the risk perception of and behavioral responses to COVID-19. We used a 29-item, standardized, structured format. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and t-tests were used to compare groups. In all tests, a value of p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: A total of 3,727 individuals with a mean age (SD) of 37.0 (11.1) years participated in the study. The results by age category revealed significant progressive increases in perceived susceptibility, perceived self-efficacy, and avoidance response scores, particularly among those aged 60 and over. A total of 56.4% of participants were engaging in danger control processes and 43.6% in fear control processes. Women had significantly higher scores than men for self-efficacy, reactance, and avoidance defensive responses; men had higher perceived susceptibility scores for COVID-19 than women. We also found significantly higher scores for behavioral responses among people with advanced educational backgrounds. Conclusion: more than half of all participants motivated by danger control. This indicates that more than half of participants had high perceived efficacy (i.e., self-efficacy and response efficacy) scores. Self-efficacy scores were significantly higher among participants who were older, female, single, lived in rural areas, or had good economic status. The results of our study suggest that socioeconomic and demographic factors are the main determinants of psychological responses to controlling the COVID-19 pandemic.

scholarly journals Application of the protection motivation theory for predicting COVID-19 preventive behaviors in Hormozgan, Iran: a cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Roghayeh Ezati Rad ◽  
Shokrollah Mohseni ◽  
Hesamaddin Kamalzadeh Takhti ◽  
Mehdi Hassani Azad ◽  
Nahid Shahabi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Maladaptive Behavior ◽  
The Other ◽  
Protection Motivation ◽  
Protective Behaviors ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Preventive Behaviors ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Response Efficacy

Abstract Background The high prevalence and mortality of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have made it the most important health and social challenge around the world. However, this disease can be largely prevented by adherence to hygienic principles and protective behaviors. It seems that identifying the processes involved in protective health behaviors can be effective in planning and implementing suitable interventions to encourage the community toward protective behaviors. Therefore, the present study aimed to predict the preventive behaviors of COVID-19 according to the Protection Motivation Theory (PMT). Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted over 2 months in Hormozgan Province, Iran. The study population consisted of all citizens above the age of 15 years. An online questionnaire was used to collect the data. The questionnaire link was available to the participants through social networks. The questionnaire consisted of two sections, including the demographic information and the PMT constructs. All statistical calculations and hypothesis testing were performed in SPSS Version 21 and AMOS Version 21. The significance level was considered to be 0.05 for hypothesis testing. Results A total of 2032 subjects, with the mean age of 34.84 ± 9.8 years (r = 15–98), participated in this study. Most of the participants were 31–40 years old, female (60.4%), married (72%), urban residents (87.3%), and employed (58.8%). The majority of them also had a bachelor’s degree or higher (58.8%). Significant positive correlations were observed between the preventive behaviors of COVID-19 and the perceived vulnerability (r = 0.192, P < 0.001), perceived severity (r = 0.092, P < 0.001), response efficacy (r = 0.398, P < 0.001), self-efficacy (r = 0.497, P < 0.001), and protection motivation (r = 0.595, P < 0.001). On the other hand, significant negative correlations were found between the preventive behaviors of COVID-19 and maladaptive behavior rewards (r = − 0.243, P < 0.001) and perceived costs (r = − 0.121, P < 0.001). Conclusion The present findings showed that maladaptive behavior reward and fear negatively predicted the protective behaviors. On the other hand, response efficacy and self-efficacy positively predicted the protective behaviors; the impact of self-efficacy was the strongest. Overall, the information provided in this study can contribute to health policymaking in Iran.

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