Title: An investigation of factors associated with COVID-19 related fear and preventive behaviour among young adults in Bangladesh: a case study

Authors: Satyajit Roy; Sudipa Basu; Apurba Roy

Addresses: Development Studies Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna, Bangladesh ' Department of Economics, University of Barishal, Barishal, Bangladesh ' Department of Economics, University of Barishal, Barishal, Bangladesh

Abstract: This study aimed to assess young adults' fear, preventive measures and related factors in the context of Bangladesh's COVID-19 pandemic. In February 2020, 270 young Bangladeshi people between 18 and 35 participated in a face-to-face interview for the cross-sectional survey. We employed a semi-structured questionnaire to gather information on the sociodemographic and lifestyle traits of the participants as well as details about COVID-19. The fear and preventive behaviours were measured using the Fear of COVID-19 and Preventive COVID-19 scales. The binary logistic regression model assessed the factors associated with fear and preventive measures. In the Fear of COVID-19 scale, females were found to have greater levels of COVID-19 fear than males. Socioeconomic factors, such as education level and unemployment, were linked to the likelihood of COVID-19 fear. Compared to male participants, female participants had higher odds of fearing COVID-19 (aOR = 2.71, 95% CI: 1.30-5.63). People with tertiary education were more likely to use COVID-19 prevention strategies (aOR = 17.16, 95% CI: 1.78-21.30). According to the study's conclusions, this vulnerable population needed mental health support immediately. The study's findings called for the urgent need for mental health support to target this vulnerable group.

Keywords: fear; preventive measures; COVID-19; healthcare service; young adults; Bangladesh.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBHR.2024.137581

International Journal of Behavioural and Healthcare Research, 2024 Vol.9 No.2, pp.128 - 148

Received: 05 Sep 2023
Accepted: 22 Jan 2024
Published online: 26 Mar 2024 *

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