TY - JOUR
T1 - Predicting public adherence to covid-19 preventive measures
T2 - A cross-sectional study in Hong Kong
AU - Yan, Elsie
AU - Lai, Daniel W. L.
AU - Lee, Vincent W. P.
AU - Ng, Haze K. L.
N1 - Funding Information:
This work was supported by the Health and Medical Research Fund (HMRF) by the Hong Kong Government (HKSAR, China) #COVID190216. The funding body had no role in research design, data collection, data analysis and interpretation, or preparation of the manuscript.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
PY - 2021/12/1
Y1 - 2021/12/1
N2 - Objectives: To effectively control the spread of COVID-19, the public’s adherence to relevant disease preventive measures (DPM) is critical. This study examined individuals’ adherence to various DPM and identified facilitators and barriers to adherence in a community sample in Hong Kong.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, telephone surveys were conducted over December 2020 and January 2021. Participants provided responses on their adherence to DPM as well as other psychosocial and cognitive factors via the phone.Results: Of the sample of 1255 Chinese adults (aged >18 years, 53% women), 94.4% wore face masks in public areas; 88.4% avoided touching their eyes, nose, and mouth; 82.1% performed hand hygiene practices; 81.5% used alcohol-based hand rubs; 74.6% abided by social distancing; and 39.7% tested for COVID-19 on a voluntary basis. Perceived benefits, perceived barriers, self-efficacy, cues to action, perceived acceptability, and disruptions to daily life related to COVID-19 were associated with individuals’ adherence to DPM.Conclusions: Adherence to DPM was strong in Hong Kong, and the adherence level could be predicted by various factors. It is vital to consider these factors in order to improve the public’s adherence.
AB - Objectives: To effectively control the spread of COVID-19, the public’s adherence to relevant disease preventive measures (DPM) is critical. This study examined individuals’ adherence to various DPM and identified facilitators and barriers to adherence in a community sample in Hong Kong.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, telephone surveys were conducted over December 2020 and January 2021. Participants provided responses on their adherence to DPM as well as other psychosocial and cognitive factors via the phone.Results: Of the sample of 1255 Chinese adults (aged >18 years, 53% women), 94.4% wore face masks in public areas; 88.4% avoided touching their eyes, nose, and mouth; 82.1% performed hand hygiene practices; 81.5% used alcohol-based hand rubs; 74.6% abided by social distancing; and 39.7% tested for COVID-19 on a voluntary basis. Perceived benefits, perceived barriers, self-efficacy, cues to action, perceived acceptability, and disruptions to daily life related to COVID-19 were associated with individuals’ adherence to DPM.Conclusions: Adherence to DPM was strong in Hong Kong, and the adherence level could be predicted by various factors. It is vital to consider these factors in order to improve the public’s adherence.
KW - Adherence
KW - COVID-19
KW - Health belief
KW - Pandemics
KW - Preventive measures
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85119834542&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3390/ijerph182312403
DO - 10.3390/ijerph182312403
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 34886130
AN - SCOPUS:85119834542
SN - 1661-7827
VL - 18
JO - International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
JF - International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
IS - 23
M1 - 12403
ER -