An analysis of preventive behaviour: Identifying the factors affecting voluntary self-isolation during COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Background: There has been limited research in revealing the socioeconomic determinants of self-isolation during COVID-19 pandemic. 
 Aim: This study examines socioeconomic factors affecting voluntary self-isolation during COVID-19 pandemic. 
 Methods: The study exploits the virtually collected data of 933 individuals living in Turkey. The survey was conducted in the period between 06 April and 10 April when the people (at 20 - 65 years old) were not in compulsory quarantine and the curfews on the weekends and official holidays were not in force. A hierarchical multivariate regression design is used to identify the factors affecting voluntary self- isolation. 
 Results: It is found that gender, marital status, region, occupation and distance working opportunity have significant impacts on voluntary self-isolation status. In contrast, age, income, education and vulnerability against pandemic (i.e., having a chronic disease, pregnancy and living with someone older than 65 years of age) do not have associations with voluntary self-isolation status. 
 Conclusion: People living in large cities are less likely to be isolated voluntarily. Hence the policies restrict outing in the large cities may be influential on controlling the spread of coronavirus. Additionally, public employees are considerably less likely to be isolated voluntarily. Given that the clear effects of distance working on voluntary self- isolation status, it is believed that distance working policies especially for public employees may influence the spread of coronavirus.