Factors Predicting of Covid 19 Prevention Behaviour Among Postpartum Mothers

Abstract

Postpartum mothers are at risk of being infected by Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) due to physiological changes which leading to an increased risk of respiratory tract infections. There is limited knowledge about their health behaviors to prevent COVID-19. This predictive research was aimed at studying factors predicting COVID-19 prevention behaviors among postpartum mothers, include individual factors and factors regarding health belief perceptions based on the Health Belief Model (HBM). Research participants were 400 postpartum mothers receiving postnatal care services from hospitals in the central region of Thailand. The participants were recruited using a combination of the multiple-stage sampling and quota sampling methods from six hospitals. Data were collected using the Health Belief Perceptions about COVID-19 Questionnaire and the COVID-19 Preventive Behaviour Questionnaire. The instruments’ reliability was analysed using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient, their reliabilities were determined to be .82 and .78, respectively. Data were analyzed using multiple regressions. The results showed that marital status, monthly income, having a preexisting medical condition, and health perceptions about COVID-19 could predict 45 percent (R² = 0.45, F(1, 150) = 26.085, p = .01) of postpartum mothers' behaviors regarding preventing COVID-19 infection. The health agencies are responsible for maternal and child health services should t provide support for postpartum mothers and their spouses to ensure they have comprehensive knowledge about COVID-19 prevention knowledge comprehensively, especially with regard to enhancing their ability to effectively assess and deal with the perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits, and perceived barriers related to the COVID-19 prevention.