Socioeconomic Characteristics and perceived response cost in Prevention and Control of COVID-19 among Health Care Providers

Background: Preventive activities by healthcare providers (HCPs) to protect themselves against disease are among the most important and essential strategies in disease prevention and control. Health strategies must identify costs and take appropriate action to decrease them. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the socioeconomic characteristics associated with the perceived response cost (PRC) to coronavirus prevention among HCPs in northern Iran. Materials & Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted on 346 HCPs in comprehensive health service centers in Guilan province. Data were collected using an online validated questionnaire. Independent t-tests, analysis of variance, and multiple linear regression model were used to analyze the data. Results: The mean (standard deviation) of the PRC score was 15.20±4.26. Participants, on average, scored at 51% of the maximum possible PRC level on the scale. The multiple linear regression model indicated that age, educational level, and disease history were independently associated with PRC (P<0.05). Conclusion: To reduce the PRC score in the studied population, effective educational interventions should be designed and implemented. Individuals with higher levels of education and busy work schedules, younger people, and individuals with a history of illness should receive more attention.