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Preventive and Avoidant Behaviors Followed by Jordanians During COVID-19 Pandemic

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 July 2022

Muhammad W. Darawad Open the ORCID record for Muhammad W. Darawad [Opens in a new window] ,
Elham H. Othman Open the ORCID record for Elham H. Othman [Opens in a new window] ,
Ali Saleh  and
Mary Rezk-Hanna
Muhammad W. Darawad
Affiliation:
School of Nursing, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
Elham H. Othman*
Affiliation:
Faculty of Nursing, Applied Science Private University, Amman, Jordan
Ali Saleh
Affiliation:
School of Nursing, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
Mary Rezk-Hanna
Affiliation:
University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
*
Corresponding author: Elham H. Othman, Email: elham.othman@ymail.com.
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Abstract

Objective:

During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), individuals’ compliance with protective behaviors was the most effective strategy to break the infection chain and prevent disease spread, even with vaccine availability and use. Understanding protective behaviors within the Jordanian context will shape health promotion campaigns and guide decision-makers to facilitate required resources and support Jordanian citizens. The objective of this study was to identify personal protective (preventive and avoidant) measures used by the Jordanian population during the COVID-19 pandemic to protect themselves from infection.

Methods:

A cross-sectional study with an exploratory, descriptive design was used to collect data using an online self-reported questionnaire from Jordanian people. The survey included the Protection from Infection Scale and the Infection Avoidance Scale.

Results:

A total sample of 1053 Jordanian citizens was included in the study. The participants exhibited a moderate level of self-care behaviors and high levels of protective and infection avoidance behaviors. Their most common behaviors were getting enough sleep, wearing masks, washing hands, and avoiding travel to infected areas. Contrariwise, the least adopted behaviors were exercising, wearing gloves, and leaving their jobs or schools.

Conclusions:

During pandemics, policy-makers must understand public concerns and protective behaviors, then provide them with tailored education through health promotion campaigns to enhance healthy behaviors.

Keywords

COVID-19Jordanpreventive behaviorsprotective factorspublic health practice
Type
Brief Report
Information
Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness , Volume 17 , 2023 , e222
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2022. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of Society for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, Inc.

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