Why people failed to adhere to COVID-19 preventive behaviors? Perspectives from an integrated behavior change model

Many preventive behaviors such as the practice of hand, personal, and respiratory hygiene; maintaining social distance (eg, staying home); and cleaning and disinfection are recommended for the prevention of the new coronavirus (COVID-19). However, a growing number of reports have revealed individuals’ violations to these COVID-19 preventive behaviors.1 These violations might endanger the community by increasing the risk of an outbreak of COVID-19. The uptake of and adherence to health behaviors, including behaviors related to the prevention of infectious diseases (eg, COVID-19), are likely highly dependent on individuals’ motivation, intention, and other decision-making factors.2 We aim to apply an integrated behavior change model of health psychology to explain why individuals fail to comply and adhere to these behaviors. © 2020 by The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America. All rights reserved