Impact of Health Beliefs on Preventative and Coping Behaviours in Sri Lankans with Chronic Illness during Covid-19

Abstract

Non-adherence to health regulations during the Covid-19 pandemic has been associated with health beliefs. The present study investigates the impact of these health beliefs on preventative health behaviours and coping behaviours. The research followed an ex-post facto survey design and convenience sampling was used to recruit a sample of 100 Sri Lankans with chronic illnesses. Data collection was carried out online using the Health Beliefs and Preventative Behaviour questionnaire and the Brief Cope Inventory. The multiple regression analyses reveals that the regression model with health beliefs of perceived barriers, perceived self-efficacy, and cues to action was a significantly useful predictor explaining 50% of the variance in preventative health behaviours. The findings revealed no significant associations between perceived severity, susceptibility, and benefits with preventative health behaviours. Educational level and marital status moderate the relationship between self-efficacy, cues to action and preventative health behaviours. In fact, self-efficacy is positively and significantly correlated with adaptive coping but not significantly correlated with maladaptive coping behaviour. Overall, the findings highlight the utility of reducing barriers, enhancing self-efficacy, and promoting health literacy through education and provision of social support, especially spousal support, to foster adherence to preventative health behaviours.