The Relationship Between the Fear of Coronavirus and the Hygiene Behaviors of Individuals During the Pandemic: A Study on Student Parents

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the relationship between fear of Coronavirus and hygiene behaviors of individuals during the Coronavirus pandemic. The population of the study, which was conducted on the parents of students studying in a primary school in center of Bilecik province, consists of 264 parents. In the study, a survey form consisting of SocioDemographic Information Form, Coronavirus Fear Scale and COVID-19 Hygiene Scale was used as a data collection tool. Correlation analysis, path analysis, independent sample t test and one-way analysis of variance were used to analyze the data. According to the findings of the study, there is a significant relationship between fear of coronavirus and hygiene behaviors and fear of coronavirus has a significant effect on the dimensions of hygiene behaviors (p<0.05). In the study, there is a significant difference in the dimensions of Hand hygiene and Social distancing and mask use in terms of gender; in the dimension of Hygiene when coming from outside in terms of marital status; in the dimension of Changing hygiene behaviors in terms of age status; in the dimensions of Social distancing and mask use, Changing hygiene behaviors and Home hygiene in terms of educational status (p<0.05). There is no significant difference according to the chronic disease and coronavirus positivity status of the participants (p>0.05). According to the results of the study, it would be beneficial to take measures related to psycho-social situations as well as physical measures during the pandemic process. In addition, educational activities to be planned to increase parents' awareness of positive hygiene behaviors against infectious diseases that may occur at any time, even if the pandemic period ends, will contribute to better management of possible epidemic processes at both individual and social levels. It is thought that studies in different population groups will contribute to the literature.