Applying behavioral insights to control COVID-۱۹ epidemic in I.R. of Iran

The trend of epidemic changes in COVID-۱۹ is influenced by the trend of changes in people's behavior.Understanding the process and planning properly to control the epidemic requires correct and accurate information about people's behaviors and the trend of its changes. In the COVID-۱۹ Population Survey of Iran (COPSIR study), the trend of changes in the behavior of the Iranian adults in relation to COVID-۱۹ has been examined. Serial cross-sectional studies in ۹ consecutive waves with telephone interviews have been carried out on Iranian adults aged ۱۸ years or older. The survey instrument is adapted from German COSMO (COVID- ۱۹ Snapshot MOnitoring) study. In each wave, ۵۱۵ individuals and ۴۶۰۵ in total participated in the study. Knowledge about COVID-۱۹ symptoms, routes of transmission, and its preventive measures among Iranian adults was high and stable in all nine waves of the study, with little increase in knowledge about the symptoms. Risk perception and severity perception of Iranians was generally lower than expected, with a little increase in waves ۷ to ۹ (July ۲۰۲۰ to February ۲۰۲۱). Preventive behaviors were high and constant in the first four waves (April to May ۲۰۲۰) with a decrease in ۵th to ۷th waves (May to July ۲۰۲۰). The most trusted and mostly used media for receiving COVID-۱۹ related information was national television channels. Low perceived risk caused people to downplay the risk of COVID-۱۹. So, by easing social restrictions, Iranians quickly put aside their preventive behaviors which led to the second and third waves of COVID-۱۹ epidemic in Iran. Risk communication strategies and public health measures must be strictly followed to prevent the fourth wave orreduce its severity.