Table 2 Distribution of health belief model constructs for COVID-19 preventive behaviours over three periods of time

Perceived susceptibility

5.45 ± 0.76

5 (5–6)

5.59 ± 0.82

6 (5–6)

5.91 ± 0.89

6 (5–6)

102.96

P < 0.001*

P_1,2,3 < 0.001*

Perceived severity

17.09 ± 2.62

18(15–19)

17.02 ± 2.61

18 (15–19)

17.90 ± 2.22

18 (17–20)

97.78

P < 0.001*

P₁ = 0.010*

P_2,3 < 0.001*

Perceived barriers

26.85 ± 5.75

27 (23.75–31.25)

31.51 ± 5.37

32 (29–36)

28.81 ± 4.99

29 (27–32)

190.63

P < 0.001*

P_1,2,3 < 0.001*

Perceived benefits

8.58 ± 1.44

9 (8–10)

8.43 ± 1.50

9 (8–10)

8.79 ± 1.31

9 (8–10)

14.77

P = 0.001*

P₁ = 0.378

P₂ = 0.062

P₃ < 0.001*

Perceived self-efficacy

3.93 ± 0.99

4 (4–5)

3.45 ± 1.13

4 (3–4)

3.79 ± 1.01

4 (3–4)

102.91

P < 0.001*

P_1,2,3 < 0.001*

Cues to action

11.32 ± 1.46

11 (10–12)

10.18 ± 1.66

10 (9–11)

9.72 ± 1.89

9 (8–11)

149.54

P < 0.001*

P_1,2,3 < 0.001*