Investigating the Levels of Obsession, Fear, and Self-Care Behaviors Related to COVID-19 in Fully Vaccinated and Partially Vaccinated Diabetic Patients

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Fears and obsessions related to COVID-19 can play important roles in self-care behaviors, including vaccination, among diabetic patients. Considering the importance of this topic, this study investigated the levels of obsession, fear, and self-care behaviors related to COVID-19 among fully vaccinated and partially vaccinated diabetic patients. METHODS: This was a causal-comparative research study involving 362 diabetic patients who were fully vaccinated and partially vaccinated as the population. An available sampling method was used to select these patients referring to Torbat Heydarieh vaccination centers. The Fear of COVID-19 Questionnaire, the COVID-19 Obsession Scale, and the Self-Care Questionnaire related to Corona were used as instruments in the present study. The data were analyzed using chi-square and two-sample t-tests and SPSS 21 software. FINDINGS: There was a significant difference between the variables of obsession caused by COVID-19, fear of COVID-19, and self-care behaviors in two groups of fully vaccinated and partially vaccinated (p<0.05). Moreover, according to the observed means, it can be argued that the mean values of the variables of obsession caused by COVID-19, fear of COVID-19, and self-care behaviors in diabetic patients who were fully vaccinated were higher than in the group of people with partial vaccination. CONCLUSION: In order to increase self-care behaviors and reduce fears and obsessions of people with chronic diseases, including diabetes, psychological programs and psychologists can be used in the design of care and treatment programs, including vaccination against contagious diseases such as the coronavirus.