The impact of the Omicron epidemic on the health behavior in Cape Town, South Africa

BACKGROUND: South Africa was the first country with a case of Omicron variant infection diagnosed; therefore, this study aimed to elucidate the impact of the Omicron mutant strain outbreak on the health behavior of the South African population and encourage the population to adopt timely protective behaviors against Omicron mutant strain infection. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: This was a population-based, cross-sectional study conducted in Cape Town, South Africa, in December 2021. We distributed 300 questionnaires to adults aged >18 years, and they were all returned. RESULTS: Of the South African population, 60.3% expressed a high level of concern regarding Omicron; 89.3% improved on at least one of the following three health behaviors: mask-wearing, washing hands, and reducing socialization; and only 10.7% exhibited no improvement in health behaviors. Of these, 71.3% and 57.0% increased the length of time they wore a mask and washed their hands, respectively, and 47% decreased the number of times they socialized. Age, residence, education level, chronic disease, and whether they had received the COVID-19 vaccine were significantly different (p < 0.05) between the presence and absence of enhanced health behaviors. The levels of concern and knowledge regarding the Omicron virus significantly influenced health-behavior change (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: There has been a positive change in the South African population toward adopting mask-wearing, hand washing, and reducing socialization in response to the Omicron virus strain epidemic. Based on one health approach, it is important to focus on populations with chronic diseases, those who have not yet received the COVID-19 vaccine, and other populations with low rates of health behavior change.