Psychosocial indicators of individual behavior during COVID-19: Delphi approach

The COVID-19 pandemic revealed the weakness of the health care system to incorporate indicators of human behavior in the rapid response to the virus. This study aims to establish consensus on the psychosocial indicators of COVID-19 preventive behaviors during the initial phase of the outbreak in Arab countries. This qualitative study used a combined scoping review of the literature to develop the 24 psychosocial indicators and the Delphi approach with a panel of 27 experts from nine Arab countries to achieve a consensus on preventive behavior indicators. The most robust agreement with an average rating of at least 4 was found for five social indicators including Belief System with an average rating (5). Income Status average rating (4.9). Family Commitment average rating (4). Faith average rating (4). Kinship System average rating (3.9). Four psychological indicators were identified namely Self-Efficacy with an average rating of (5). Perception of Hazard with an average rating of (4.5). Motivation with an average rating of (4.5). Stigma with an average rating of (4.2). The nine indicators provide a strong base for redesigning pandemic control interventions. The Delphi study demonstrates the feasibility of a participatory approach during the outbreak of COVID-19. Moreover, future interventions need to accommodate individual psychological and social determinants to increase adherence and decrease resistance to public health guidelines.

Wijdan Abbas, Shahla Eltayeb