A Nationwide Assessment of Kuwaitis’ Compliance with Preventative Measures During the COVID-19 Epidemic

Abrar Ghaith; Islam Alghreiz; Tayseer Afifi

doi:10.18096/TMP.2024.01.07

Authors

Abrar Ghaith University of Debrecen https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0370-759X
Islam Alghreiz Jaber Al-Ahmad Armed Forces Hospital, Kuwait https://orcid.org/0009-0004-2297-6191
Tayseer Afifi Jordan University of Science and Technology, Jordan https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5289-9538

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18096/TMP.2024.01.07

Keywords:

COVID-19, Protective practices, Preventive practices, Pandemics

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has had far-reaching consequences for world health, economics, and society. To prevent the virus's spread, non-pharmacological therapies such as social distancing, mask-wearing, and cleanliness practices have been employed. The purpose of this study was to analyze the Kuwaiti population's adherence to precautionary measures during the epidemic. A cross-sectional study was carried out with the use of a self-administered online questionnaire issued to Kuwaitis aged 18 and up. The questionnaire included demographic questions as well as questions on preventative behaviors. Descriptive statistics, chi-square analysis, and multivariate regression analysis were used to examine the data. The findings revealed that 54.8% of individuals had good behaviors, with hand cleanliness being the most prevalent and eating a healthy diet being the least common. Chronic illnesses, a history of COVID-19 infection, and the COVID-19 vaccine were all linked to practice levels. Regression analysis demonstrated that COVID-19 infection enhanced the likelihood of adherence to preventative measures considerably. The data indicate that, while a sizable majority of the Kuwaiti population engaged in beneficial activities, there is still space for improvement, particularly in terms of adopting a better diet. Future efforts should concentrate on marketing and educating the public about the relevance of COVID-19 prevention measures.

Author Biographies

Abrar Ghaith, University of Debrecen

PhD Researcher, Faculty of Economics and Business

Islam Alghreiz, Jaber Al-Ahmad Armed Forces Hospital, Kuwait

Clinical Pharmacist

Tayseer Afifi, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Jordan

Master Student, Department of Physiology and Biochemistry

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