Fear of COVID-19 and Trust in the Healthcare System Mediates the Association between Individual's Risk Perception and Preventive COVID-19 Behaviours among Iranians

Abstract

Problems caused by the novel coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) and its mutations have brought challenges in pandemic control for all countries worldwide. The present study examines the mediating roles of fear of COVID-19 and trust in the healthcare system in the association between individual's risk perception and performing preventive COVID-19 behaviours among Iranians. A cross-sectional study design was used to collect data from 3652 residents of Qazvin province in Iran from 3 February to 15 April 2021 using a multistage stratified cluster sampling method. Participants responded to an online questionnaire concerning their fear of COVID-19, risk perception, trust in the healthcare system, and preventive COVID-19 behaviours. Small to medium positive interrelationships were observed between the variables of the study. Fear of COVID-19, trust in the healthcare system or both (fear of COVID-19 and trust in the healthcare system) mediated the association between an individual's risk perception and performing preventive COVID-19 behaviours. The study demonstrated there are at least four ways through which an individual's risk perception can influence preventive COVID-19 behaviours. Therefore, clinicians, health communicators, and researchers may capitalize on these findings to enhance preventive COVID-19 behaviours to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 infection.

Keywords: COVID-19; fear of COVID-19; preventive COVID-19 behaviours; risk perception; trust in the healthcare system.

Figure 1

The serial multiple mediation model with fear of COVID-19 and trust in the healthcare system as proposed mediators of the effect of risk perception on performing preventive COVID-19 behaviours. * p < 0.05. ** p < 0.001. Note: Age, gender, educational status, marital status and living accommodation were adjusted in the model.