Local Policy and Physical Distancing Behavior During Covid-19 Pandemic in West Nusa Tenggara

Abstract

Background: World Health Organization (WHO) encouraged each province in Indonesia to periodically monitor the implementation of the Covid-19 response plans at all levels, involving a whole of society approach.West Nusa Tenggara has a local policy to prevent the spread of Covid-19 which is known as PSBL/PSBD (Environmental/ Hamlet-Scale Physical Restriction). Purpose: This study aims to examine the relationships between local policy and physical distancing behavior on Covid-19 in West Nusa Tenggara. Methods: This was a cross sectional survey study, conducted in West Nusa Tenggara. A total of 385 people were enrolled by simple random sampling technique. The independent variable was local policy. The dependent variable was physical distancing behavior. Data were collected by a Google Form questionnaire. The data were analyzed by using Chi-Square. Results: 81.27% people had known about the local policy and 41.99 % adherent to physical distancing behavior. Local policy increased physical distancing behavior and it was statistically significant (Or= 4.03; p= 0.045). Conclusion: Local policy is needed to improve physical distancing behavior during Covid-19 pandemic.