Navigating Life After COVID-19: Adoption of Preventive Behaviour Among Citizens Post-Pandemic

This study examines the determinants affecting the adoption of preventive behaviours among Malaysian individuals in the post-pandemic environment of COVID-19. The pandemic has profoundly affected public health, making the comprehension of these aspects essential for formulating effective health communication and intervention methods. This research aims to investigate how psychological and social factors, including attitudes (AT), subjective norms (SN), perceived behavioral control (PBC), perceived susceptibility (PSU), and perceived severity (PSE), forecast the adoption of preventive behaviors. A quantitative research approach was employed to survey a sample of 485 respondents in order to investigate the correlations between these parameters and the actual preventative behaviours. Data analysis was performed using structural equation modeling (SEM) to examine the direct and indirect correlations among the variables. The findings indicate that personal experiences and views, molded by the epidemic, substantially affect adherence to health guidelines. Furthermore, behavioral intention was identified as a mediator between the predictions and actual behaviors. This study addresses gaps in the literature and underlines the influence of digital platforms on public health behaviors. The results offer actionable recommendations for policymakers to improve the adoption of preventive behaviors and bolster public health responses, fostering a more resilient healthcare system in Malaysia.