The Effect of Health Action Process Approach on Adherence to Infection Prevention and Control Measures Among Chinese Healthcare Workers in the Post-pandemic Period of COVID-19

Abstract

Background: Although the COVID-19 pandemic has been brought under control, strict infection and control measures are still recommended for healthcare workers to prevent the rebound of the pandemic. However, adherence to prevention measures might be decreased due to fatigue caused by the prolonged duration of the pandemic. Objective: This study examines the effects of social-cognitive factors suggested in the health action process approach on adherence to infection prevention and control measures among Chinese healthcare workers two years after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A total of 521 healthcare workers from two COVID-19 designated hospitals in Beijing participated in the survey in August 2021 and reported risk perception, outcome expectance, action self-efficacy, preventive intention, action control, and prevention behaviors during work. Results: 1) Action self-efficacy and outcome expectancy were positively associated with intention to adhere to preventive measures. 2) Action control mediated the association between intention and preventive behaviors during work. Conclusion: Social-cognitive factors such as action self-efficacy, action control, and intention should be addressed to improve healthcare workers’ adherence to infection and control measures during the COVID-19 pandemic.