Investigating the factors related to protective behaviors against COVID‐19 in healthcare workers: Application of extended parallel process model

Abstract

Background and AimsPreventive behaviors against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) are important, and messages that create a sense of danger are necessary to create these behaviors. One of the widely used models for designing risk messages is the Extended Parallel Process Model (EPPM). The present study was conducted to investigate the factors related to protective behaviors against COVID‐19 in the personnel of the health department based on EPPM.MethodsIn this cross‐sectional study, 699 personnel of the deputy health department of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province were included in the study by census method. Data were collected online using valid questionnaires, including demographic questions and history of contracting COVID‐19 and the questionnaire of EPPM constructs. Data were analyzed in SPSS24 software, using descriptive and analytical statistics.ResultsThe results showed that there were positive correlations between the protective behaviors and the constructs of perceived severity (p < 0.001, r = 0.542), perceived susceptibility (p < 0.001, r = 0.260), self‐efficacy (p < 0.001, r = 0.594), response efficiency (p > 0.001, r = 0.522), and risk control (p > 0.001, r = 0.501). There was a negative correlation between protective behaviors and fear control (p < 0.001, r = 0.329). The results of multiple linear regression showed that these six constructs explained 49.8% of protective behaviors against COVID‐19, among which the role of the perceived severity construct was stronger than other constructs.ConclusionRegarding the results, it is suggested that the results of this research be used in the development of training programs to improve protective behaviors in high‐traffic offices, and by focusing on fear and risk control.