Examining the relationship between COVID-19 phobia and health-promoting and protective behaviours during the pandemic

Aims: The study aimed at analyzing the relationship between COVID-19 phobia and health promoting and protective behaviors during the pandemic. Methods: This was a web-based cross-sectional survey. A total of 800 individuals responded to the survey between September 2020 and March 2021. Data was collected using Personal Information Form, COVID-19 Phobia Scale, and the Promotive and Protective Health Behaviors Scale. Results: In this study, 66.1% of the participants were aged between 18 and 24, 78.9% were female, 77.5% were single, and 49.1% had a bachelor’s degree. The participants’ mean COVID-19 Phobia Scale score was 52.57±14.54, and the mean Promotive and Protective Health Behaviors Scale score was 65.95±6.65. There was no statistically significant relationship between this two scales scores (p>0.05). It was determined that the mean score of the Promoting and Protective Health Behaviors Scale was low during the pandemic period. Conclusion: We recommend that nurses playing a role in primary health care services continue to provide education and counseling for the importance and maintenance of healthy lifestyles after the COVID-19 outbreak.