Determine the factors that affected COVID-19 prevention behaviors based on constructs of social cognition theory.

Background: COVID-19 is a universal challenge and novel disease is one of the core public health concerns. This study aimed to determine the factors that affected COVID-19 prevention behaviors (CPB) based on constructs of Social Cognition Theory (SCT). Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 426 participants referred to health centers of Arak from October 2021 to February 2022, and they were selected through a multi-stage random sampling method. Data were collected via a self-administered questionnaire which includes socio-demographic data (6 items), COVID-19 prevention behaviors (12 items), and SCT constructs related to COVID-19 (32 items). SPSS Ver-16 statistical software was used to analyze the data with one-way ANOVA, independent samples t-test, and multiple linear regressions. The significance level of α = 0.05 was considered for all tests. Results: The mean age was 37.8 years (SD = 12.2) and ranged from 17 to 81. According to the results, 51.2% had higher education and 52.6% of the participants were female. The mean (SD) of COVID-19 preventive behaviors was 43 (SD = 7.8) out of 60. There was statistical association between CPB and three constructs of SCT. Multiple regression showed that the outcomes expectations (β = 0.11, p < 0.001), self-regulation (β = 0.41, p < 0.001), and self-efficacy (β = 0.30, p < 0.001), age, gender, and history of COVID 19infection were associated with CPB and those described 61% of the variance of CPB. Conclusion: Rendering to the result of this study constructs of SCT is the key predictor of participants' CPB. Hence, based on these predictors, effective interventions and healthy messages could be designed based on this predictor—outcomes expectations, self-regulation, social support, and self-efficacy which can be beneficial to improve healthy behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]