Factors Associated with Infection-Control Behavior of Dental Health–Care Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study Applying the Theory of Planned Behavior

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of the extended theory of planned behavior (TPB) in predicting COVID-19-infection prevention and control (IPC) among a sample of dental health–care workers (DHCWs) in Saudi Arabia and to examine their behavioral beliefs, normative beliefs, and control beliefs to better understand their views about COVID-19 IPC. METHODS: An online cross-sectional survey was administered among DHCWs in Saudi Arabia using convenience sampling. A questionnaire collected data on demographic characteristics and the 43 items from the TPB construct. One-way ANOVA and Independent sample t-tests were used to establish factors associated with TPB-construct scores. Multiple regression analyses with adjusted effects were used to identify significant predictors for intention from attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control variables. The significance level was set at 0.05. RESULTS: A total of 324 study participants completed the questionnaire for a response rate of 40.5%. The majority of respondents were male (59.8%) and aged 25–30 years (32.7%), followed by 31–35 years (31.2%). Only 28.4% reported having participated in IPC activities. With a mean of 41.60±6.26), it was evident that study participants had a favorable attitudes toward COVID-19 IPC. Subjective norms and perceived behavioral control subscale scores were low, with the means of 28.95±5.44) and 34.89±6.49), respectively. The constructs of attitude toward behavior (p<0.001) and subjective norms (p<0.001) significantly predicted the DHCWs’ intention to practice COVID-19 IPC behavior, accounting for 44.3% of the variance. CONCLUSION: The current study suggests that the attitudes and subjective norms of DHCWs significantly predicted their intentions regarding COVID-19 IPC behavior. As such, it is recommended that comprehensive education and training programs on infection control pertaining to COVID-19 be implemented among DHCWs in Saudi Arabia so that their attitudes and behavior toward infection prevention are amplified.