Post-Pandemic Community Perception of COVID-19 Vaccination and Preventive Measures, and Health Beliefs Model approach

M Gaber Hassan, Eman; Kames Farag Gaballah, Mastoura

doi:10.21608/ejhc.2022.220366

Post-Pandemic Community Perception of COVID-19 Vaccination and Preventive Measures, and Health Beliefs Model approach

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Ph.D., RN, Medical-Surgical Department, Faculty of Nursing, Cairo University/ Egypt and Mohammed AL-Mana College for Medical Sciences, Dammam/ KSA.

² Ph.D., RN, Medical-Surgical Department, Faculty of Nursing, Cairo University/ Egypt and Almoosa College for Health Sciences, Al Ahsa,/ KSA

10.21608/ejhc.2022.220366

Abstract

Background: By May 31, 2021, COVID-19 had infected more than 174 million people and the death cases reached more than 3 million. Adopting prevention methods such as quarantine and physical distancing was the first line of defense against the coronavirus (Covid-19). The aim of the study: was to assess individuals’ perception of the COVID-19 preventive measures and Corona vaccine by using the Health Beliefs Model. Design: A cross-sectional descriptive design the most appropriate design was used to assess the perception of COVID-19 precautions measures and its vaccination. Subjects: The sample was purposive with two hundred and five participants who meet the inclusion criteria. Setting: Different cities in Saudi Arabia. Tools: The data was collected through a 28-item survey questionnaire based on the health belief model theory of Hochbaum, Rosenstock, and Kegels. Data Collection the questionnaire was distributed to the participants through social media from different cities in Saudi Arabia. The participants were able to take part in an interview by scanning bar codes on their smartphones. Results: Most of the respondents are aged between 15 and 44 years old. 85.9% believe that the coronavirus is very severe and that they are at risk of getting infected; the mean scores being respectively 3.61 and 3.17. A significant correlation was found between the severity of the disease and the adherence to selected preventive measures (handwashing with soap and water and the use of hand sanitizers (r= 0.214& r=0.202 respectively). Vaccination is also perceived to be beneficial in relation to the severity of the disease (r=.175, P= 0.042). Conclusion: the participants still perceived Covid-19 as a severe disease with a high susceptibility for an infection that was correlated with their adherence to the preventive measures. Their adherence was influenced by different factors in addition there is no significant barriers hindering their adherence to the preventive measures. Additionally, the participants’ perception toward Covid- 19 vaccine benefits was related to their perception of the disease severity Recommendation: the current study suggested that governments and ministries of health should consider factors such as, perception regarding the severity of the disease, probability of infection, and personal experiences when they establish awareness campaigns regarding Covid-19 infection and vaccination campaigns.

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