Predicting preventive behaviors against COVID-19: A structural equation modeling approach from Iran.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to use the health belief model (HBM) to predict the adoption of preventive behaviors against COVID-19 using the structural equation modeling approach. As a descriptive-analytical study, this research was conducted on 831 men and women who were under the coverage of comprehensive health service centers in the Lorestan province of Iran in 2021. A questionnaire based on HBM was used to collect data. Data were analyzed by the SPSS software version 22 and AMOS version 21. The mean age of participants was 33.0 ± 8.5, with a range of 15-68 years. The constructs of the HBM explained about 31.7% of the variance in COVID-19-related preventive behaviors. The greatest total effect on preventive behaviors against the COVID-19 disease belonged to the constructs of perceived self-efficacy (0.370), perceived barriers (-0.294), and perceived benefits (0.270), in descending order of impact. Educational interventions can be useful in promoting COVID-19 preventive behaviors by bringing about a correct understanding of self-efficacy, barriers, and benefits.