Relationship Between the Trust in A Health Care System and Adherence to COVID-19 Preventive Behaviors Among The General Population in 2021

Abstract

Introduction: Identifying the factors affecting the adoption of COVID-19 preventive behaviors can be helpful in designing various interventions related to the promotion of this index. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between trust in a healthcare system and adherence to COVID-19 preventive behaviors among the general population.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted during September 2021 and simultaneously with the fifth wave of COVID-19 in Urmia, Iran. The study's statistical population was for all people older than 18 years  living in Urmia who had access to cyberspace. In this study, 504 samples were included using the snowball and convenience sampling method. Data were collected using an electronic questionnaire that consisted of three sections: demographic information, Whole Health System Trust Scale, and a researcher-made questionnaire to measure COVID-19 preventive behaviors. Data were collected through WhatsApp and analyzed using SPSS 16.

Results:  The quality of care (β = 0.178, p = 0.003), patient focus of providers (β = 0.140, p = 0.010), policies at the macro level will be without consequences for the patient (β = -0.112, p = 0.027), and the quality of cooperation between health care services providers (β = 0.106, p = 0.026), were significant predictors of COVID-19 preventive behaviors.

Conclusion: In order to promote adherence to COVID-19 preventive behaviors among the general public, it is suggested to improve the quality of care provided for the prevention and control of COVID-19; provide customer-centered cares relating to prevention and control of COVID-19; attract public trust to the macro level policies relating to prevention and control of COVID-19; and create cooperation and coordination among services providers working in the field of prevention and control of COVID-19.