Preventive health behaviours during coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic based on health belief model among Egyptians

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is spreading rapidly in the world, and on 11 March 2020, WHO announced the outbreak a global pandemic. Given the severity of this major outbreak and the importance of prevention and protection against the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the predictors of engaging in the preventive behaviours could potentially be of great practical importance as it could help us identify high-risk groups and take the necessary steps towards improving their health behaviour. As the health behavioural response of the Egyptian population during COVID-19 is unknown and the health belief model constructs can be used to explain health behaviour, this study was conducted to assess the preventive behaviours to COVID-19 and the associated role of health belief model constructs over three periods of time; at the beginning of COVID-19 pandemic then 4 weeks and10 weeks later. RESULTS: Perceived severity and benefits of health belief model constructs showed significant decrease in the 2(nd) interview, followed by an increase in the 3(rd) interview (P < 0.001). Perceived barriers showed a significant increase in the 2(nd) interview followed by a significant decrease in the 3(rd) interview (P < 0.001). Knowledge score was significantly lower at the start, then a surge happened in the next interview followed by a slight drop in the 3(rd) interview (P < 0.001). Preventive behaviours were significantly lower in the 2(nd) interview then significantly higher in the 3(rd) interview (P < 0.001). On the analysis of the factors associated with preventive behaviours using multivariate regression, the results determined age, high education, being a health care worker, perceived susceptibility, benefits, barriers and self-efficacy. CONCLUSIONS: Perceptions of benefits could be increased by tailoring communication strategies to various groups, emphasizing how different people can engage in effective preventive behaviours. Policy makers should pay attention to lower-educated persons living in rural areas being a group with the least engagement in health-protective actions.