COVID-19 Protective Behaviors among Iran’s Health System Workers: Psychological Theoretic Design Analysis

Abstract Background & Aim: Health system staff is as first front line to combat corona disease, and probability of risk of infection to COVID-19 are more in them. This study aimed to investigate protective behaviors related to COVID-19 in Iranian health system staff using a psychological theoretical framework - EPPM (Extended Parallel Process Model) case.Methods: The current study was in cross-sectional design and performed online from May 4 to July 22, 2020 on 418 individuals selected from Iranian health system staff including (physician, nurse & laboratory technician, health worker, administrative staff, radiologist). Data was gathered using valid and reliable electronic questionnaire designed based on EPPM which assesses relations of constructs (perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived self-efficacy, and perceived response-efficacy) with the intention and performing protective behaviors) and published through Porsline site. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, t–test, analysis of variance, and regression in SPSS software version 16.Results: Most individuals (40.4%) were in age group of 30-40, which (72%) were married and majority of them was woman (70.6%). Pearson correlation test showed significant association among performing protective behaviors and constructs of perceived self-efficacy (r=0.373, P=0.000), perceived response-efficacy (r=0.120, P=0.014), and intention (r=0.462, P=0.000). Multiple regression analysis recognizes perceived self-efficacy (P=0.000; Beta=0.398), and behavioral intention (P=0.000; Beta=0.283) as predictors of performing protective behaviors. Results of descriptive statistical analysis in order to determine critical point based on EPPM showed that 35.4% of health system staff with critical point lesser than 1, were in fear control process and 34.4% of individuals with critical point more than 1 are involved in danger control process.Conclusion: Only, one third of health system staff is involved in process of controlling risk of COVID19. Motivation of protection in health system staff is established in case of perception self-efficacy as well as perception efficacy on COVID-19 preventive behaviors. Therefore, programming to perform interventions based on EPPM by emphasis on strategies of promoting perceived self-efficacy and perceived response-efficacy in order to improve performing protective behaviors in this highly vulnerable subgroup is seriously recommended.