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. 2025 Jun 24;17(6):e86666.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.86666. eCollection 2025 Jun.

Investigating Post-COVID-19 Risk Perception and Preventive Behaviour Among Individuals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Roba Aljaloud  1 , Sara Alhudaib  1 , Shahad Alotaibi  1 , Sara A Alsuhaibani  1
Affiliations

Investigating Post-COVID-19 Risk Perception and Preventive Behaviour Among Individuals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Roba Aljaloud et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Background Behavioural intention post-COVID-19 can impact an individual's risk perception and preventive/protective behaviour. Studies have shown that risk perception has a relationship with behavioural intentions in a way that can affect an individual's life. The aim of the study was to assess behavioural intention and preventive/protective behaviour post-COVID-19 pandemic among Saudis. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional (quantitative) study in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to forecast the perception of post-COVID-19 risk and the preventive and protective behaviours. The duration of the study was three months, starting from January to March 2023, and the sample size was 386 individuals. The target population in this study was Saudis residing in Riyadh in the age range of 18-53 years and above. The data was collected using a self-administered online questionnaire and analysed using statistical software called JMP. Results The total number of the study sample was 386 participants; most of the participants were women (n=316, 81.87%). The majority of participants reported taking three doses of the COVID-19 vaccine (n=288, 74.61%), and nearly 60% (n=232, 60.10%) of them reported not getting infected with COVID-19 after vaccinations. The overall regression was statistically significant (R2=0.478, F=175.33, p<0.0001) and it was found that social emotion and risk perception predicted behavioural intention and preventive/protective behaviour significantly. There was a moderate positive correlation between behavioural intention and the social emotion of participants (0.686). Also, there was a positive correlation relation between preventive/protective behaviour and social emotion (0.578). Conclusion This study revealed that social emotions and the preventive/protective intention to perform preventive/protective behaviour predict the tendency to practise preventive/protective behaviour. Risk perception also affected protective behaviour and intention.

Keywords: behavioural intention; covid-19; protective behaviours; risk perception; social emotion.

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Conflict of interest statement

Human subjects: Informed consent for treatment and open access publication was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Ethical Committee of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences College, Princess Norah bint Abdulrahman University issued approval 22-1040. Ethical approval was taken from the ethical committee of the Princess Norah bint Abdulrahman University (22-1040) at the Health and Rehabilitation Sciences College. All participants were informed about the objectives of the study and it was also clarified that their participation in the study is voluntary. Animal subjects: All authors have confirmed that this study did not involve animal subjects or tissue. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Mean of protective/protective behavior and educational level (n=386)
Image credit: Ms. Roba Aljaloud
Figure 2
Figure 2. Mean of risk perception and number of COVID-19 doses (n=386)
Image credit: Ms. Roba Aljaloud
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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