Exploring perspectives on COVID-19 risk, protective behavior and control measures

Public perceptions and behaviors in relation to COVID-19 have been at the forefront of public health policy to mitigate the transmission of the infection and reduce the burden on healthcare infrastructure. This study assesses people’s perspectives towards COVID-19, especially concerning disease risk, adherence to protective measures, and the effectiveness of the imposed prevention and control measures. An explorative study based on Q-method was conducted in Erbil, the Kurdistan Region. The study involved a purposively selected sample of 40 persons representing different educational, social, and economic levels. 41 statements were extracted that covered various aspects of the impact of COVID-19 on the lives of people and their perspectives about these experiences, using 41 statements answerable with a nine-point Likert scale, with responses ranging from ‘least agree’ to ‘most agree’. Data analysis involved a by-person factor analysis using PQMethod 2.35. Three distinct viewpoints and one consensus perspective were identified. Viewpoint 1, confidence and adherence to protective measures, centers on compliance with the main protective measures, the seriousness of COVID-19, and the effectiveness of the public health preventive measures. Viewpoint 2, apprehensiveness and noncompliance, focuses on extreme apprehension from the disease and concerns about the public health policies against COVID-19. Viewpoint 3, inattentive, emphasizes the lack of awareness and adherence to protective measures by the people and the ineffectiveness of the public health preventive measures. The primary aspects distinguishing the three viewpoints included risk perception, protective behavioral response, and public health preventive measures. Risk perception can potentially guide appropriate protective behavior. To strengthen preventive measures and comply with protective behaviors, different approaches that can address the needs of different groups of people are required. The focus should be on increasing risk awareness, reducing anxiety, and explaining the justification and effectiveness of public health policy preventive measures.