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Uncovering psychobehavioural implications of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection in Iran
Author(s) -
Wong Li Ping,
Alias Haridah,
Danaee Mahmoud,
Ziaee Masood,
Abedi Farshid,
Ziaee Arash,
Mohajer Samira,
HajiAliBeigloo Reza,
Nia Mohammad Namazi,
Jamei Fateme,
Mazlom Seyed Reza
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
transboundary and emerging diseases
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.392
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1865-1682
pISSN - 1865-1674
DOI - 10.1111/tbed.13662
Subject(s) - anxiety , odds ratio , confidence interval , medicine , cross sectional study , public health , demography , outbreak , psychiatry , virology , nursing , pathology , sociology
Iran is the country in Western Asia most impacted by the COVID‐19 outbreak. A survey was conducted among the general public in Iran aimed at investigating psychobehavioural issues related to the COVID‐19 outbreak, namely (a) barriers to preventive measures against SARS‐CoV‐2 infection; (b) negative emotions towards SARS‐CoV‐2 infection; and (c) anxiety levels among the general public in Iran. A cross‐sectional, web‐based survey using an online questionnaire was carried out between 16 March and 1 April 2020. The six‐item version of the State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI‐6) was used to assess anxiety levels. A total of 1,789 complete responses were received. Nearly 60% reported having difficulty in wearing a face mask to protect against SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. The mean and standard deviation ( SD ) for the total prevention barrier score was 35.8 ( SD ± 7.1; range 18–68) out of a possible score of 72. Male respondents [odds ratio (OR) = 1.25; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03–1.51] and respondents who perceived their health status as poor/fair (OR = 1.49; 95% CI 1.31–1.82) were predictors of high prevention barriers. Negative emotions such as fear (74.6%) followed by depression (43.4%) and stigma (23.0%) associated with SARS‐CoV‐2 infection were reported. Respondents who perceived their health as poor/fair (OR = 2.19; 95% CI 1.57–3.04) reported a higher likelihood of having higher negative emotions. Findings on anxiety level revealed 68.0% (95% CI 65.8–70.1) reported moderate to severe anxiety. Respondents who perceived their health as poor/fair (OR = 3.46; 95% CI 12.22–5.40) and who were females (OR = 1.91; 95% CI 1.55–2.36) were predictors of moderate to severe anxiety. In conclusion, psychobehavioural interventions are needed to facilitate management and control of the COVID‐19 outbreak.