Changes in Preventive Behavior During the First 3 Months of the COVID-19 Outbreak in Iran

Abstract

Objectives: Iran is facing a big challenge controlling the COVID-19 outbreak and it is unclear to how individuals are engaging in preventive behaviors. This study aimed to investigate changes in preventive behaviors during the first three months of the COVID-19 outbreak in Iran. Method: This cross-sectional survey was conducted on 1477 adults aged 18years and older in 31 provinces of Iran. Data was collected by an anonymous online questionnaire. Result: Overall, engagement in preventive behaviors was relatively acceptable and more than 45% of subjects always carried out all preventive behaviors. Engaging in the all preventive behaviors had a peak in the second month and obviously declined during third month. Engagement in some preventive behaviors such as “wearing a face mask” and “keeping a safe distance from others” observed less than other behaviors. There was statistically significant difference in the engagement in preventive behaviors by gender and occupation (P<0.001). Conclusion: Although engagement in preventive behaviors was relatively acceptable at first two months of the outbreak, it has declined gradually. This is a warning for public health decision makers. COVID-19 is still a crucial issue in Iran and it is necessary that government decision be based on the fact that Iranian people must live with a coronavirus for months, with full caution and compliance toward all preventive care protocols.

Associations between Wearing Masks, Hand Washing, and the Risk of COVID-19 Contraction: A Case-Control Study in the Northwest of Iran

“…Shiraly et al reported that wearing masks prevented touching mucosal zones of the face and infection transmission [41]. Shamsalinia et al reported that among Iranians, women and healthcare workers considered these behaviors excessive, and that all people accepted the rules against COVID-19 contraction only for the first two months [42]. Consistent with these results, the present study showed that among women, housewives were more involved with COVID-19 than other occupations.…”

“…In this study, being female was considered an effective factor in improving hand washing knowledge [43]. Several studies have shown that healthcare workers are more prone to contract COVID-19, and that there are more preventive strategies for them to be adopted [42,44,45]. Sabetian et al observed that in hospitals of the Fars Province, Iran, healthcare workers were more prone to contract COVID-19, with an incidence rate of 5.62% [45].…”

Comparison of the Epidemiological Features of COVID-19 Patients Transported by the Emergency Medical Service in the First vs. Second Wave of the Pandemic; a Comparative Report from Tehran, Iran

“…These actions, in combination with a community commitment to respect public health protocols, were highly useful during the first wave of the pandemic; as a result, after two months, the situation almost came under control, and the number of cases and hospitalization rates were decreased significantly. Unfortunately, due to relaxed restrictions that resulted in declined distancing (for instance, through holding ceremonies) and several other reasons, Iran soon faced the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic (4). Scientists believe that evaluating clinical features, disease severity, outcomes, and other features during an epidemic can help health policymakers to make better decisions (5).…”

Perceived stress and quality of life among frontline nurses fighting against COVID-19

“…COVID-19 affects people in several ways and symptoms of this virus are highly changeable and variable, ranging from none to severe disease. [ 4 ] A significant amount of infected patients will develop moderate-to-severe disease and recuperate with hospitalization. [ 5 ] Since COVID-19 initially emerged around the world, hospitals touched numerous challenges during such as severe shortages of health-care provider and difficulty in maintaining adequate staff, retaining institutional capacity, and lack of personal protective equipment as well as respiratory support materials and testing supplies.…”