Determinants of observing health protocols related to preventing COVID-19 in adult women: A qualitative study in Iran

Adaptive measures to deal with the next pandemic caused by climate change in at-risk groups

BACKGROUND

The intensity of the perceived stress during the pandemic is a very basic variable for the risk analysis and proper disaster response. The present study was conducted with the aim of determining the relationship between perceived stress and social support during covid-19 in diabetic patients in order to design a suitable plan for a possible pandemic.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2021 on 212 diabetics in Hormozgan province / southern Iran. Data were collected online using Whatsapp using social support and perceived stress questionnaires specific to COVID-19. Data were analyzed by SPSS 22 software using Pearson correlation coefficient tests.

RESULTS

The mean and standard deviation (SD) of the stress score was 18.46 ± 4.41. Mean ± SD of social support dimensions were emotional support 30.76 ± 5.96, information support 21.63 ± 4.56, instrumental support 32.48 ± 6.68, and evaluative support 23.53 ± 4.83. There was a significant correlation between emotional support (r =-0.377, P < 0.001) and instrumental support (r =-0.280, P < 0.001) with perceived stress.

CONCLUSION

The inverse relationship between emotional and instrumental support and perceived stress in diabetic patients during the Covid-19 pandemic suggests that health promotion interventions focus on increasing these two forms of social support in order to reduce stress during disasters. Especially when there are warnings about the release of microbial agents from melting polar ice and the possibility of the next epidemic.

The strongest predictors of compliance with health protocols among marketers and guilds based on the transtheoretical model

BACKGROUND

Global communication, an integral part of modern life, increases the risk of transmitting infectious diseases to individuals. Based on the transtheoretical model (TTM), this study aimed to identify the most effective factors in adherence to health protocols among marketers and guilds.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted among 400 market sellers and guilds of Ardabil City, Iran, in 2023. The TTM questionnaire was distributed among the participants which included four sub-constructs: (1) stages of change, (2) process of change, (3) self-efficacy, and (4) decisional balance. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 20. One-way ANOVA and linear regression tests were employed to evaluate the prediction of effective factors of the stage transition.

RESULTS

Most participants (63.5%) were between 21 and 40. Most participants (65.5%) were in the passive stages of change (precontemplation, contemplation, and preparation). Pros (β = 0.133, P < 0.001) and behavioral processes of change (β = 0.058, P < 0.001) were the strongest predictors of the stage of change or improvement of stages of participants' willingness to follow health protocols.

CONCLUSION

A correct understanding of the stages of behavior change can strengthen strategies for promoting healthy behaviors. Also, understanding the benefits of healthy behavior means compliance with health protocols and behavioral processes such as stimulus control, reinforcement management, counterconditioning, and self-liberation, along with high self-efficacy, have an impact on improving the stages of behavior change.

Investigation of the influencing factors with the uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine booster dose among the general population of Ardabil, Iran: A cross-sectional study

Background and Aims

Vaccination is one of the most efficient approaches to combating COVID-19 if it is adequately embraced by the general population. Numerous factors influence the uptake or refusal of the booster dose. The goal of this study was to look at the different factors that affect how the general population in Ardabil feels about getting vaccine boosters (annual boosters) for COVID-19 and to evaluate those feelings.

Methods and Materials

In the city of Ardabil, general population, perceptions towards the COVID-19 vaccine booster (annual boosters) dose were evaluated using a cross-sectional survey design between January 2 and March 25, 2022. A questionnaire was developed and filled out by 662 subjects via phone calls from healthcare providers. Descriptive statistics, the Chi-square test, the correlation coefficient, and regression analysis were run for the analysis of quantitative data.

Results

The findings of the research revealed that 238 participants, or 35.9%, had previously gotten the booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccination, while 198 participants, or 29.2%, expressed a desire to do so as soon as feasible. A total of 187 (28.2%) respondents reported not wanting to get a booster dose, and 39 (5.7%) could not decide. In the factors found to affect decisions not to accept regular doses, adverse effects (45.4%) and the presence of misinformation (30%) were the most important. Regression in educational achievement, and following the COVID-19 news showed to be the major predictors of the subjects' attitudes toward the regular COVID-19 vaccine.

Conclusion

The present findings revealed that low confidence in the efficiency of the booster shot and misinformation are two critical factors to consider in educational planning and interventions.

Risk perception and avoidance of preventive behavior on the COVID-19 among cancer patients

Background and Aims

Willingness to engage in preventive behaviors against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) depends on people's risk perception. This is especially important in cancer patients who are at risk of complications from the disease. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate avoidance of COVID-19 preventive behavior of in cancer patients.

Methods

This cross-sectional analytical study was done with 200 cancer patients who were selected by convenience sampling method. The study was conducted in Imam Khomeini Hospital of Ardabil, Iran from July to August 2020. A researcher-made questionnaire was used to investigate the risk perception of cancer patients towards COVID-19 with seven subscales according to the Extended Parallel Process Model. Data were analyzed by SPSS 20 using Pearson correlation and linear regression tests.

Results

The mean and standard deviation of the age of 200 participants (including 109 men and 91 women) was 48 ± 17. Results showed that the response efficacy (12.6 ± 2.2) had the highest mean and defensive avoidance (8 ± 2.8) had the lowest mean score among EPPM constructs. Linear regression results showed that fear (β = 0.242, p > 0.001), and perceived severity (β = 0.191, p = 0.008) were significant predictors of defensive avoidance.

Conclusion

Perceived severity and fear were significant predictors of defensive avoidance, and providing accurate and reliable news and information can be effective in reducing fear and promoting preventive behaviors.

Investigating the predictors of perceived social support to control COVID-19: A qualitative study

Background

Considering the adverse effects of COVID-19 pandemic, the present study aimed to explore the barriers and facilitators of perceived social support to prevent the further spread of the disease.

Methods

In the present qualitative study, a content analysis was done. To this aim, 37 Iranian subjects who had active accounts on Instagram were initially invited to participate in the study. The data were collected through face-to-face (n = 25) and telephone conversations (n = 12). A purposive sampling was used and the data collection continued until data saturation. Finally, 41 interviews were held which took 17-48 min.

Results

The data analysis led to the extraction of two main categories, the barriers and facilitators of perceived social support, as well as 12 subcategories. Economic issues, familial factors, socio-cultural factors, personal and psychological factors, ineffective quarantine rules, and poor management were the main barriers to perceived social support. The facilitators were divided into six categories, including familial influences, personal factors, government support, and improved occupational, social, spiritual, and emotional condition.

Conclusion

The findings showed that a combination of environmental and social variables might influence the COVID-19 disease, either decreasing or increasing its spread. A sound knowledge of these variables, influenced by the social context and real-life experiences during the pandemic, allows to take the right measures and enrich training programs. The prevalence of the disease can be controlled by increasing environmental and social facilitators and decreasing the influence of barriers.

Anxiety, coping style and hopelessness during COVID-19 pandemic: An Iranian population-based study

Background and Aims

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused new conditions such as nationwide quarantine, a dramatic decrease in-person interaction and an increase in death anxiety for governments and people. The pandemic of an unpredictable disease with no definite treatment can pose physical and psychological risks to individuals. The present study aimed to investigate the state of anxiety, coping styles, and hopelessness of people in the lockdown period and reopening in Iran.

Methods

In this national population-based cross-sectional study, a total of 1191 people who had access to social networks from all over Iran completed the anxiety, hopelessness, and coping style questionnaires online using the snowball sampling method. Analysis was conducted using Stata software version 12 (Stat Corp). The significance level was set at 0.05.

Results

The results of the study suggested that women experienced higher levels of anxiety than men, and, in stressful situations, women were more likely to use emotion-focused coping styles, while men frequently used problem-focused coping styles. The majority of participants reported moderate levels of anxiety and low levels of hopelessness (64.04%). The results of multiple linear regression show any level of anxiety mild (ß = 0.59, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.32-0.85), moderate (ß = 0.72, 95% CI: 1.36-1.08), and severe (ß = 2, 95% CI: 1.36-2.56) relative to the none anxiety significantly increase the hopelessness, Furthermore, showing a negative significant adjusted association with the problem-focused coping style (ß = -0.06, 95% CI: -0.07 to -0.04), and a significant positive association with the emotion-focused coping style (ß = 0.04, 95% CI: 0.02-0.06).

Conclusion

Our findings could be used to prevent psychological damage in societies and suggested addressing problem-focused coping style, especially during a crisis, and providing people with preprepared mental health protocols at this pandemic.

Knowledge, attitude, and practice toward the COVID-19 infection among adults Iran: A cross-sectional study

Background

Coronavirus illness (COVID-19) has spread globally and is affecting everyone severely. The evaluation of educational needs (knowledge, attitudes, and practices) is important in controlling COVID-19 situations. The goal of this study is to find out what adults in Ardabil City know, how they feel, and what they do about the COVID-19 infection.

Methods

In November 2021, a cross-sectional descriptive-correlational survey of 384 people was conducted using stratified-cluster sampling in Ardabil. The researchers created a self-reported questionnaire with 23 items as the data collection technique. The quantitative data were evaluated using descriptive statistics, the chi-square test, the correlation coefficient, and regression analysis.

Results

The correct answer rate for this research found that 73.17% of participants (n = 281) had appropriate knowledge, 61.19% (n = 235) had favorable attitudes, and 69.53% (n = 267) had enough practice behavior. However, knowledge was related to gender, employment, and location of residence. Age, marital status, education level, and location of residence were all connected with attitude. Age, gender, and marital status were all related to the behavior. The findings of linear regression analysis revealed that knowledge and attitude influence behavior.

Conclusion

The study findings revealed a high degree of understanding of COVID-19, a positive attitude, and a strong commitment to good practices. Knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors were influenced to varying degrees by age, marital status, education level, employment, and location of residence. Furthermore, knowledge and attitudes influenced behaviors.