Why personal Behavior Change is Key in Reducing Spread of Covid-19.

Growing up in the 80's and 90's was an interesting experience that may never be erased from our memories. Our mothers were the chief disciplinarians, leave alone the dreaded "deputy principles" in high schools, when we were growing up. These two people had one thing in common, and that was, they wanted us to "adopt good behaviors, as we drop the bad behaviors". Sustaining behavior change was and is still the most complex practice; why am I saying this? In the primary and secondary school days, if you were ever caught having sneaked out of school, you would be punished to ensure that you didn't repeat that vice. "Punishment" acted as a deterrence to sneaking out of school thus a "negative reinforcement" to behavior change. When you performed exceptionally well in school, you would be rewarded. "The reward" in this case acted as a promoter of good performance thus a "Positive Reinforcement" to behavior change. 
The theory of planned behavior suggests that behavior is dependent on one’s intention to perform the behavior. Intention is determined by an individual’s attitude (beliefs and values about the outcome of the behavior) and subjective norms (beliefs about what other people think the person should do or general social pressure). Behavior is also determined by an individual’s perceived behavioral control, defined as an individual’s perceptions of their ability or feelings of self-efficacy to perform behavior (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/57a08b4bed915d622c000bfd/BehaviorChangeweb.pdf). 
With the entry of Covid-19, which has totally disrupted our societal fabric, the WHO and the MoH officials have constantly been issuing guidelines for everyone to follow through. The guidelines are meant to effect change of behavior; from the "previous normal" to the "current normal". Some of the guidelines issued are; i. Social distancing, ii. Wearing a mask while in public, iii. Washing hands or sanitizing hands and surfaces with an alcohol based sanitizer. These are proven practices that will significantly reduce one's chances of exposure to Covid-19. In regards to TPB (Theory of Planned Behavior), as a people we need to constantly keep asking ourselves the following questions;
  1. Do we intrinsically have the intent to change our behaviors & adopt the new ways of doing things? 
  2. Are we likely to change our attitudes and adopt for instance "washing hands" as a safe practice in preventing the spread of covid-19? 
  3. Are we as a people able to change our perceptions towards our abilities to act or behave in a certain way? 
These are legitimate questions that should drive our conversation hence forth in regards to change of behavior as we fight this invisible enemy. 
The Kenyan government, through the MoH has been very candid on change of behavior among Kenyans irrespective of their socio-economic status in the society, and blatant disobedience of the laid out directives have punitive consequences which are acting as deterrence to repeat of the same. As we all keep tabs with the government about what measures it has taken or not taken, the lingering question would be "what are you doing as an individual"- "Niokoe, nikuokoe" . The Health CS has made a personal appeal to all of us as Kenyans, to be a brother/sister keeper. 

The current Kenyan statistics on Covid-19 show that for every 10 people infected, 7 are men. Is this a gender issue,biological issue, or a behavioral issue? In my view, I view it more as a behavioral issue, and the more reason why men need to take the guidelines more seriously. This therefore serves as personal appeal to all of us Kenyans in changing our behaviors to the new normal for us to be alive tomorrow. We have a choice to make; either to heed to the guidelines or a choice to ignore. Each of these choices have consequences. If we don't adhere to the guidelines, then contracting Covid-19 will be a very costly, painful and regrettable outcome. 

Spread the word, Covid-19 is real. 

Brian Kavuwa. 
bkavuwa blog.
briventures@gmail.com. 


Comments

  1. Construction DairiesJuly 28, 2020 at 6:30 AM

    Excellent piece.. Obama once said, 'be the change, you want to see in your world'. Behaviour change is a personal decision. We all must decide...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownJuly 28, 2020 at 11:33 AM

      A good piece; the reasons as to why men are mostly affected compared to women requires more research.Naturally,according to me,men are pre disposed to more dangers by virtue of their pertanal roles in society.It might be easier for a woman to stay at home during such times but the man of the house has to get out of the house so as to ably support the family notwithstanding the domestic pressures which oftentimes affect his health thereby compromising his immunity.

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