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<p>The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted significant disparities in the uptake of precautionary health behaviors, particularly in informal settlements in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), where access to essential infrastructure and socio-economic opportunities are limited. This study applied the information-motivation-behavioral (IMB) skills model of pandemic risk and prevention to explore the pathways through which COVID-19 information, personal and social motivation, and behavioral skills influenced the uptake of prevention behaviors in three informal settlements in Ghana. A survey of 496 participants was conducted and analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM). Findings reveal a significant knowledge gap, with only 30.6% of participants answering all COVID-19 information questions accurately. Both personal (<i>β</i> = 0.209, <i>p</i> = 0.005) and social motivation (<i>β</i> = 0.178, <i>p</i> = 0.018) exhibited a direct significant relationship with preventive behaviors. While no direct effect was found between information and prevention behavior, behavioral skills fully mediated this relationship. Though focused on COVID-19, the findings have broader implications for strengthening pandemic/epidemic preparedness in informal settlements. Policy interventions should prioritize tailored health risk communication, motivation enhancement, and practical skills-building to empower vulnerable populations not just for current needs but to effectively respond to future health crises.</p>

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Beyond COVID-19: Behavioral Drivers of Pandemic Prevention in Ghana’s Informal Urban Settlements

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月1日

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  • Richmond Amponsah,
  • Marie Vaganay Miller,
  • Aaron Lawson,
  • Nigel McConnell

摘要

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted significant disparities in the uptake of precautionary health behaviors, particularly in informal settlements in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), where access to essential infrastructure and socio-economic opportunities are limited. This study applied the information-motivation-behavioral (IMB) skills model of pandemic risk and prevention to explore the pathways through which COVID-19 information, personal and social motivation, and behavioral skills influenced the uptake of prevention behaviors in three informal settlements in Ghana. A survey of 496 participants was conducted and analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM). Findings reveal a significant knowledge gap, with only 30.6% of participants answering all COVID-19 information questions accurately. Both personal (β = 0.209, p = 0.005) and social motivation (β = 0.178, p = 0.018) exhibited a direct significant relationship with preventive behaviors. While no direct effect was found between information and prevention behavior, behavioral skills fully mediated this relationship. Though focused on COVID-19, the findings have broader implications for strengthening pandemic/epidemic preparedness in informal settlements. Policy interventions should prioritize tailored health risk communication, motivation enhancement, and practical skills-building to empower vulnerable populations not just for current needs but to effectively respond to future health crises.