Abstract
Health behavior was conducive to control the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) epidemic. This study aimed to determine the differences in health behaviors and related factors among rural and urban residents in China. From February 14 to 22, 2020, during the peak of the COVID-19 epidemic in China, a total of 2449 participants (1783 (72.81%) urban residents and 666 (27.19%) rural residents) were recruited by snowball sampling on WeChat and QQ social platforms, both owned by Tencent. Data were collected through the Web-questionnaire guided by an information-motivation-behavioral skills model. The multiple-group structural equation model was applied to analyze the factors. Rural residents had lower health behavior scores than urban residents, even after adjusting demographic characteristics (33.86 vs 34.29, P = 0.042; total score was 40). Motivational, behavioral skills, and stress had direct positive and negative influences on health behaviors of urban and rural residents. Information and positive perception of interventions had direct effects on health behaviors in rural residents, but not in urban residents. All the factors were mediated by behavioral skills in rural and urban residents. This study suggests that the government should pay attention to substantial rural and urban disparities and implement different COVID-19 prevention and intervention policies for health behaviors targeting rural and urban residents.
Highlights
Study Design and ParticipantsThis cross-sectional online survey was conducted from February 14 to 22, 2020, the peak of the COVID-19 epidemic in China
The 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has posed a serious threat to the public health and economic and social development globally
This cross-sectional online survey was conducted from February 14 to 22, 2020, the peak of the COVID-19 epidemic in China
Summary
This cross-sectional online survey was conducted from February 14 to 22, 2020, the peak of the COVID-19 epidemic in China. Participants were recruited by snowball sampling on Tencent’s WeChat and QQ social platforms, using the online survey tool of questionnaire star to make structured questionnaires guided by the IMB model, and collecting data through the Web-questionnaire method in China. In order to reduce bias, quality control had been carried out: (1) Each item in the questionnaire was set as a required question to ensure the integrity of the data; (2) each IP could be submitted only once to avoid repeated filling; and (3) real-time monitoring in the background and response time of participants were recorded. The higher the score in each construct, the higher the information, motivation, behavioral skills, positive perception of the government, the perceived stress, and the frequency of health behaviors during the COVID-19 epidemic.
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