Perceived Social Norms as Determinants of Adherence to Public Health Measures Related to COVID-19 in Bali, Indonesia.

Putu Ayu Indrayathi,Putu Erma Pradnyani,Pande Putu Januraga,Hailay Abrha Gesesew,Paul Russel Ward

doi:10.3389/fpubh.2021.646764

Putu Ayu Indrayathi, Putu Erma Pradnyani + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2021.646764

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Abstract

Introduction: Before the widespread availability of an effective COVID-19 vaccine, it is crucial to control the rate of transmission by ensuring adherence to behavioral modifications, such as wearing masks, physical distancing, and washing hands, all of which can be implemented as public health measures. Focusing on the conditions in Bali, this study explored the level of compliance to public health measures targeted at COVID-19 and identified the determinants of compliance via the values, rules, and knowledge approach.Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study conducted an online survey using the Google Form application from June 29 to July 5, 2020. The minimum required sample size was 664. Inclusion criteria were set as follows: 18 years of age or older and residing in Bali during the data collection period. Adherence was measured based on nine protocol indicators that were rated using a four-point Likert scale. A multiple linear regression analysis was then conducted to determine the associated factors of adherence to public health measures.Results: Of the 954 survey respondents, data from 743 were included for analysis. The average level of adherence to public health measures was 32.59 (range of 20–36). The linear regression analysis showed that perceived health benefits from public health measures, being female, and having COVID-19 test histories were significantly associated with adherence to public health measures.Conclusions: For public health measures targeted at COVID-19, adherence was strongly associated with perceived social norms, in which individuals played social community roles by adapting to standardized public health measures. It is thus imperative for governments to support and monitor public health measures during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Highlights

Before the widespread availability of an effective COVID-19 vaccine, it is crucial to control the rate of transmission by ensuring adherence to behavioral modifications, such as wearing masks, physical distancing, and washing hands, all of which can be implemented as public health measures
This study examined the level of adherence to these types of adaptations in Bali, those targeted at achieving the new normal through COVID-19 prevention measures
This study found that the level of adherence to public health measures was directly proportional to social norms, meaning that individuals are more likely to adapt when those around them are adaptive

Summary

Introduction

Before the widespread availability of an effective COVID-19 vaccine, it is crucial to control the rate of transmission by ensuring adherence to behavioral modifications, such as wearing masks, physical distancing, and washing hands, all of which can be implemented as public health measures. ∼71.4 million confirmed cases and 1.6 million deaths were attributed to COVID-19 as of December 13, 2020 [1]. The development of COVID-19 is still fluctuating in Indonesia. As of it is unclear whether the country has seen the peak of the pandemic, with the number of confirmed cases reaching 605,000 on December 13, 2020, including 18,511 deaths [3]

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