Predicting the Self-Care Behaviors Associated with COVID-۱۹ in Southeastern Iran; a Cross-Sectional Study

Aims: With the new COVID-۱۹, a global effort has been made to control and prevent the spread of the disease. Self-care behavior is known to be an effective way to prevent COVID ۱۹. Physical distancing, hand washing are important examples of self-care actions. This study aimed to model and determine the predictors of self-care behavior about the new COVID-۱۹. Instrument & Methods: Cross-sectional correlational design was used for this study. This study was performed on ۱۰۸۳ people in Kerman Province, Iran, using the available sampling method. The data collection tool was a researcher-made questionnaire based on the main constructs of the Health Belief Model and constructs derived from the review of the literature. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS ۲۲ and AMOS ۱۸ software. Findings: The mean age of the participants was ۳۲.۳۶±۹.۳۴, with an age range of ۱۰ to ۶۵ years. The model explained ۷۲% of the variance in self-care behaviors. The SEM showed that self-efficacy (β=۰.۶۸۵; SE=۰.۰۹۷; p=۰.۰۰۱), perceived severity (β=۰.۴۱۹; SE=۰.۰۶۴; p=۰.۰۰۱), perceived benefits (β=۰.۲۸۸; SE=۰.۰۶۱; p=۰.۰۰۱), health importance (β=۰.۱۹; SE=۰.۰۶۳; p=۰.۰۰۱) and knowledge (β=۰.۲۴۸; SE=۰.۰۲۵; p=۰.۰۰۱) were positively and significantly related and perceived barriers (β=۰.۱۹۹, SE=۰.۰۴۶, p=۰.۰۰۱) was negatively and significantly related to self-care behaviors. Conclusion: Constructs of self-efficacy, perceived severity, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, health importance, and knowledge are the main predictors of self-care and preventive behaviors associated with the novel coronavirus. Therefore, this model can promote self-care programs and predict the incidence and mortality of COVID-۱۹.

Keywords:

Self-Care , COVID-۱۹ , Structural Equation Model