Risk communication and risk perception along with its influencing factors in Covid-19 disease: Focusing on the Extended Parallel Process Model.

Introduction: Following the global spread of the Covid-19 infection, the Iranian government adopted measures to control the spread of the disease, but they were not applicable without the acceptance and interaction of the general population. This study used the Extended Parallel Process Model (EPPM) components to attempt to determine risk communication and risk perception along with its influencing factors in Covid-19 disease among the population of northwestern Iran. Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted among the general population of the province. Demographic characteristics and extended parallel process model questionnaires were used to collect data, which was then analyzed based on descriptive (frequency, mean, standard deviation) and inferential statistics (t-test, analysis of variance, regression, chi-square) in SPSS-25 software. Results: This study showed that 63.8% of the participants continually followed Covid-19 news, and 34% of participants used social media to get the news and warnings related to the Covid-19 pandemic. Among the domains of participants' risk perception for Covid-19 disease, the three domains of self-efficacy, response effectiveness and intention had the highest means compared with other domains. Significant correlations were found between risk perception and the dimensions of age, gender, marriage status, number of family members, place of residence, underlying disease, history of Covid-19, and family history of Covid-19 disease (p < 0.05). Multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that perceived sensitivity, perceived severity, self-efficacy, fear, defensive avoidance, intention, and behaviors were independent predictors of response efficacy (p < 0.001). Conclusion: More than two years after the onset of the spread of Covid-19 disease, the risk perception of the disease among the study population was still insufficient in many areas. Risk of communication refers to the point of interaction between the government and the people, and the need to improve public trust in this issue is strongly felt.

Assessment of mask-wearing adherence and social distancing compliance in public places in Hamadan, Iran, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: The determination of the rate of social distancing compliance and mask-wearing adherence is essential to address the health aspects of COVID-19. The present study aimed to estimate the adherence to mask-wearing and maintaining the social distancing in public places in Hamadan, western Iran, during the COVID-19 pandemic. STUDY DESIGN: The present study was conducted based on a cross-sectional design. METHODS: The current study included 72 images from 12 areas in Hamadan as clusters in January 2021. The images were extracted from the traffic control center of Hamadan Municipality. The mean of social distancing and percentage of mask-wearing in all clusters were obtained based on cluster sampling. RESULTS: In this research, the majority of people(68%) of people in public places were men and 32% women. The mean±SD of social distancing in all public places in Hamadan was obtained at 65.27 ±73.37 cm (95% CI: 38.48-92.08). The percentage of men who wore masks correctly was higher than that of women (57% vs. 51%). Moreover, mask-wearing adherence was not recognizable in about 34% of people in the images (28% of men versus 48% of women). Among the people whose images were recognizable, all the women were wearing masks, while about 13% of men were not (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: As evidenced by the obtained results, the mean social distance in Hamadan was much lower than the standard value (1.5-2 meters) even at the time of restrictions. Although more than half of people wore masks in public places, it was much less than that in developed countries. Therefore, people should pay more attention to health advice regarding mask-wearing and maintaining social distance.

Predictors of COVID-19 related death in diabetes patients: A case-control study in Iran.

BACKGROUND: Identifying the predictors of COVID-19 related death in diabetes patients can assist physicians for detecting risk factors related to the worse outcome in these patients. In this study we investigated the predictors of the death in patients with diabetes compared with non-diabetic COVID-19 patients. METHODS: In the present case-control study, the case group were diabetic patients with COVID-19 and the control group included Non-diabetic COVID-19 patients. The data source regarding the demographic characteristics, clinical symptoms, laboratory, and radiological findings on admission as well as the complications, treatment, and outcomes during hospitalization were gathered from their medical record through two trained nurses. Adjusted and unadjusted odds ratios (OR) estimate were calculated using the simple and multiple logistic regression through backward model. RESULTS: The mean (SD) age of the case group was higher than that of the control group; [65.24 (12.40) years vs. 59.35 (17.34) years, respectively (P < 0.001)]. Results of the adjusted logistic regression model showed that, advanced age (+60 year) (OR = 5.13, P = 0.006), addiction (OR = 5.26, P = 0.033), high level of Blood urea nitrogen (OR = 5.85, P < 0.001), and high level of Alkaline Phosphatase (OR = 3.38, P = 0.012) in diabetic patients were significantly associated with increase the odds of death in COVID-19 patients. CONCLUSION: We found that in COVID-19 patients with diabetes; advanced age, addiction, high level of BUN and Alp and in non-diabetic COVID-19 patients advanced age, dyspnea, high level of BUN and SGOT were associated with increase risk of death in these patients.

Perceived risk and protective behaviors regarding COVID-19 among Iranian pregnant women.

BACKGROUND: Despite the vulnerability of pregnant women, few studies have been conducted on their perceived risk and protective behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic. The present cross-sectional study aims to investigate the perceived risk and protective behaviors regarding COVID-19 among pregnant women, in Hamadan, Iran. Using a two-stage cluster sampling method, 225 pregnant women referring to the health centers completed the questionnaires. Data were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis and Spearman correlation tests as well as a stepwise linear regression model at 95% confidence level. RESULTS: 93.8% of pregnant women had a high level of knowledge, 97.3% had a high performance in protective behaviors, and 72.9% had a moderate level of risk perception related to COVID-19. The highest mean score of knowledge was observed in women who had a history of influenza in their previous pregnancies (90.97 ± 5.94). The mean score of protective behaviors was significantly higher in women with a high economic level (97.78 ± 5.11), and the highest level of risk perception was observed in nulliparous women (59.97 ± 9.80). Risk perception was an independent predictor of protective behaviors related to COVID-19 (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Pregnant women had a high level of knowledge, high performance in protective behaviors, and a moderate level of risk perception related to COVID-19. History of influenza in previous pregnancies, high economic level, and nulliparity were associated with higher levels of knowledge, protective behaviors, and risk perception, respectively. Risk perception of pregnant women regarding COVID-19 can predict their protective behaviors.