Investigating the Extent of Coronaphobia and some Related Psycho-Social Variables in Iran
Authors: Fakhraei Siroos 
Published: April 2022

Background. Today, COVID-19 disease has caused fear and anxiety in all societies. The main purpose of this study was to find out the level of panic and fear of citizens over 20 years of age in East Azerbaijan province from the emerging disease of COVID-19 and to determine the role of some psychological and social variables related to it. Methods. In this research, a survey method has been used. The statistical population includes all citizens over 20 years of age in East Azerbaijan province in Iran while the statistical sample is estimated to be 384 people based on Lin sampling table with 95% confidence level. A researcher-made questionnaire was used to collect data. The questionnaires were completed and collected in two stages in April 2020 and March 2021. The goal behind this time interval was to observe and compare the extent of coronary changes. SPSS software was used to test the relationship between variables and analyze the collected data. Results. About 45% of the participants were women and more than 55% were men. 24% of the respondents were single and 76% were married. In terms of education, the highest frequency (nearly 39%) was related to those with a bachelor's degree. In terms of age, the highest frequency is related to the age group of 41-50 years, which included about 30% of the participants. The mean score of corona phobia among the participants was 97.75 in April and 83.25 in March. Most of the psychosocial variables studied, including housekeeping, trust in medical staff and history of underlying diseases showed a statistically significant relationship with corona phobia (p<0.001). All variables in total were able to explain and predict about 70% of the variance of corona phobia. Conclusion. This study showed that corona phobia is closely related to psychological and social variables that should be considered by all institutions and people. Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is the latest virus to be discovered from the Coronaviruses family. COVID-19 is a global epidemic that has spread over the world. COVID-19 has affected the people of the world not only physically but also psychologically. Most virologists and health professionals hope that in the near future, control and treatment of this disease will be achieved through health and treatment measures and injection of vaccines and drugs. The prevalence of COVID-19 in the world over the past year has risen so much that one can see the disease in almost all countries of the world. This study aims to investigate the level of fear and anxiety of people with COVID-19 disease in the course of a year and study some psycho-social variables related to this disease. The level of fear, apprehension and concern of people about this disease has been called "corona phobia". Material In this study, due to its nature, which has examined the extent of corona phobia among the citizens of East Azerbaijan province, one of the largest states of Iran, a survey method was used. The statistical population included all citizens over 20 years of age in East Azerbaijan province. The statistical sample was calculated to be 348 on the basis of Lin sampling table The samples were selected through multi-stage clustering. In this way, first the areas of each city were determined, then from each area, several districts, and from each district, several blocks, and from each block, several neighborhoods, alleys and houses of the respondents were selected. If a person was identified to be over 20 years in the selected homes, he/she was asked to complete the questionnaires. A researcher-made questionnaire was used for data collection. This questionnaire is based on two parts, one of which is to measure the dependent variable, the degree of corona phobia among citizens. This part of the questionnaire consisted of 22 items that evaluated different aspects and dimensions of people's fear of Covid-19 based on the Likert scale. Formal validity has been used to determine the validity of the content of the items of the measuring device. For this purpose, the questionnaire was evaluated and refined by four experts in psychology, sociology, social work and social medicine. Cronbach's alpha was used to calculate the reliability of the Corona phobia test as well as tests related to three independent variables, including the level of observance of health tips, housing, and the level of trust in medical staff. After ensuring that the test has significant validity and reliability, the questionnaires were distributed and completed. Results The dependent variable, the degree of corona phobia, was measured using 22 items based on the Likert scale at the ordinal scale level. The average score obtained for this variable was 97.75 in April and 83.25 in March. Thus, it can be said that the level of corona phobia among respondents in early 2020 was higher than late in the same year. In order to find the relationship between the degree of corona phobia and psycho-social variables, Pearson correlation coefficient test was used. In order to answer to the question which psycho-social variables play more important role in explaining and predicting the degree of corona phobia, multivariate regression was used through stepwise method. Certainly, regression assumptions were considered first so that there was no deviation from the assumptions of normality, linearity, uniformity of residual variance, and non-alignment of independent variables. The results of this test showed that home living has the greatest share in explaining and predicting the degree of corona phobia. This variable with a beta coefficient of 0.704, was able to predict about 50 % of the variance of corona phobia. The variables of the level of trust in the medical staff and the history of psychiatric disorders were the next important variables. All studied variables were able to explain and predict about 70% of corona phobia changes. Conclusion According to the results obtained in late 2021, the level of corona phobia has been declining compared to before, but it is still worthy of attention. In this study, the role of four psychological variables were studied, including the level of Self-confidence in the face of Covid-19 disease, the level of anxiety and stress against this disease, the rate of remedy of prayer and worship, and the history of mental disorders related to corona phobia. All of these variables showed a statistically significant relationship with corona phobia. As the level of self-confidence increases, there is a decrease in the fear and anxiety about the Covid-19. As anxiety and stress increase, so does the fear about the disease. Psycho-social variables that have entered the regression equation, altogether, have been able to explain and predict about 70 % of the variance of the dependent variable, the degree of corona phobia. Practical Implications of Research One of the practical suggestions of this research is that in times of epidemics, various social institutions invite people to calm down, increase their self-confidence and reduce the level of stress and psychological pressures. Another is that now that the lifestyles of most social groups have changed, appropriate programs should be prepared for their proper and healthy use in these conditions. For example, with the closure of sports facilities such as swimming pools and clubs, other substitutes such as walking, cycling and the like should be replaced for physical activities so that sports that is necessary for the body and mind might not be neglected. Given the important role of staying home and people's trust in health care personnel, which was established in this study, it is recommended that the country's health professionals continue to emphasize the need for people to stay at home and follow health protocols. Considering the trust different groups of people have in medical personnel, the government should also use their expert opinions to prepare appropriate vaccines to fight the epidemic and impose restrictions, especially during travel times such as Nowruz and summer holidays. Research suggestions are also presented in several sections as follows: Considering the fact that limited psychosocial variables were studied in relation to crona phobia that in this study, other researchers should examine other variables in relation to different dimensions of this disease. Since this disease will probably be present at least in the coming months, researchers should conduct similar studies in other provinces and regions of the country to make the results more generalizable. In future research, in addition to examining the factors associated with this disease, it is suggested that other factors such as psychological, social, economic and even political and educational consequences related to coronary heart disease should be studied at different levels. Ethical Considerations In this research, the ethical principles set out in the Helsinki Declaration have been observed. Participants knowingly and with full consent participated in the study, without their names or other information being mentioned in completing the questionnaires and their answers are reserved by the researcher. The present article is documented by the approval No. 4251/7/P of the Research Ethics Committee of Payame Noor University. Conflict of Interest This article is the result of an independent study and has no conflict of interest with other organizations and individuals. Aknowledgment We would like to thank the undergraduate students of Psychology and Sociology at Payame Noor University of Maragheh for their hard work in collecting data and completing the questionnaires.