Abstract
BackgroundPatterns of protective health behaviors, such as handwashing and sanitizing during the COVID-19 pandemic, may be predicted by macro-level variables, such as regulations specified by public health policies. Health behavior patterns may also be predicted by micro-level variables, such as self-regulatory cognitions specified by health behavior models, including the Health Action Process Approach (HAPA). PurposeThis study explored whether strictness of containment and health policies was related to handwashing adherence and whether such associations were mediated by HAPA-specified self-regulatory cognitions.MethodsThe study (NCT04367337) was conducted among 1,256 adults from Australia, Canada, China, France, Gambia, Germany, Israel, Italy, Malaysia, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Singapore, and Switzerland. Self-report data on cross-situational handwashing adherence were collected using an online survey at two time points, 4 weeks apart. Values of the index of strictness of containment and health policies, obtained from the Oxford COVID-19 Government Response Tracker database, were retrieved twice for each country (1 week prior to individual data collection).ResultsAcross countries and time, levels of handwashing adherence and strictness of policies were high. Path analysis indicated that stricter containment and health policies were indirectly related to lower handwashing adherence via lower self-efficacy and self-monitoring. Less strict policies were indirectly related to higher handwashing adherence via higher self-efficacy and self-monitoring.ConclusionsWhen policies are less strict, exposure to the SARS-CoV-2 virus might be higher, triggering more self-regulation and, consequently, more handwashing adherence. Very strict policies may need to be accompanied by enhanced information dissemination or psychosocial interventions to ensure appropriate levels of self-regulation.
Highlights
Research on the reduction of SARS-CoV-2 transmission has indicated that early adoption of preventive behaviors such as use of face masks, physical distancing, contact tracing, case isolation, and handwashing is likely to be a cost-effective way of reducing COVID-19 morbidity [1]
We investigated whether the level of strictness of containment and health policies would be indirectly related to handwashing adherence at a follow-up, with the self-regulatory Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) variables operating as the mediators
Those who completed Time 1 (T1) only and those who completed T1 and Time 3 (T3) assessments did not differ in T1 handwashing adherence, the T1 HAPA variables, and Time 0 (T0) index of strictness of policies
Summary
Research on the reduction of SARS-CoV-2 transmission has indicated that early adoption of preventive behaviors such as use of face masks, physical distancing, contact tracing, case isolation, and handwashing is likely to be a cost-effective way of reducing COVID-19 morbidity [1]. Patterns of protective health behaviors, such as handwashing and sanitizing during the COVID19 pandemic, may be predicted by macro-level variables, such as regulations specified by public health policies. Purpose This study explored whether strictness of containment and health policies was related to handwashing adherence and whether such associations were mediated by HAPA-specified self-regulatory cognitions
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
