Abstract
There is high risk of contamination with COVID-19 virus during routine dental procedures and infection control is crucial. The aim of this study was to determine the factors associated with Covid-19 preventive behaviors among oral health care providers using an extended parallel process model (EPPM). In a cross-sectional study, short text message invite surveys were sent to 870 oral health care providers in west part of Iran. Data were collected through validated self-report EPPM questionnaires. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square and Fishers exact tests were used for data analysis. In total, 300 completed questionnaires were received and the mean age of respondents was 29.89 ± 11.17 years (range: 20-75 years). Among the study population, 284 (94.67%) perceived the threat of infection highly. Washing hands frequently with water and soap and use of hand sanitizer was reported by 93.33%, of participants. Age (P = 0.010), sex (P = 0.002) and occupation field (P = 0.010) were significantly associated with danger control responses. Data identified that those oral health care providers that were on the danger control response adopted preventive behaviors more strictly than those on fear control response. The results of this study showed how degrees of perceived threat and perceived efficacy influenced oral health providers' willingness to perform recommended health behaviors. These findings can assist public health agencies in developing educational programs specifically designed for promoting preventive behaviors among oral health providers in pandemic situations.
Highlights
The Coronavirus 2019 pandemic has become a major public health challenge [1]
Age (P = 0.010), sex (P = 0.002) and occupation field (P = 0.010) were significantly associated with danger control responses. Data identified that those oral health care providers that were on the danger
The results of this study showed how degrees of perceived threat and perceived efficacy influenced oral health providers’ willingness to perform recommended health behaviors
Summary
The Coronavirus 2019 pandemic has become a major public health challenge [1]. As of 20th of July, COVID19 has been diagnosed in 213 countries with 14,855,107 laboratory-confirmed cases and 613,248 deaths [2]. Current observations suggest people of all ages are usually susceptible to this new viral disease. People who are in close contact with COVID-19 symptomatic and asymptomatic patients, including health care workers, are at higher risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection [3]. Because healthcare workers are in direct contact with patients, they may be at risk when examining and treating patients. By not following the hygienic recommendations, healthcare professionals will become unwanted carriers and transmit the disease to other patients, their family members and to the community. One in five healthcare workers have been infected with COVID-19 [4]
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