Coronavirus health beliefs and fetal health concerns: associations with preventive health behaviors during COVID-19

OBJECTIVE: During infectious disease outbreaks, pregnant women and their fetuses may be especially vulnerable to health risks, emphasizing the importance of preventive health behaviors (PHB). The role of concerns about fetal health in shaping PHB during COVID-19 has never been examined. The present study examined the joint effect of concerns about fetal health and Coronavirus-related health beliefs (within the Health Belief Model) on PHB during COVID-19. METHODS: During the COVID-19 pandemic (September-November 2021), 202 pregnant Israeli women completed online questionnaires that assessed concerns about fetal health, health beliefs (perceived susceptibility, severity, benefits, and barriers), and adherence to preventive health behaviors. Multiple hierarchical regression and mediation analyses were conducted. RESULTS: Concerns about fetal health were positively associated with PHB. Perceived susceptibility and perceived benefits were also positively associated with PHB, whereas perceived barriers were negatively associated; perceived severity was not significant. Mediation analyses indicated that concerns about fetal health fully mediated the association between perceived susceptibility and PHB and partially mediated the associations between perceived severity and perceived benefits and PHB. CONCLUSIONS: Concerns about fetal health play important direct and indirect roles in adhering to PHB during pregnancy. These findings may guide health services in developing tailored programs during pandemics.