Date of Conferral

8-8-2025

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Public Health

Advisor

Michael Schwab

Abstract

The novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), first detected in Wuhan, China, is caused by a new virus strain: severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). On March 11, 2020, COVID-19 was classified as “the second pandemic of the 21st century” by the World Health Organization. To better control the spread of the virus, governments and communities adopted several established public health protocols to quell the spread of the disease and decrease the resulting morbidity and mortality. Specific measures included masking, hand hygiene, social distancing and disinfection. Though these are proven measures, not much was known about adherence in the home setting. This qualitative study explored the lived experiences of social distancing and other preventive measures among COVID-19-positive individuals and other household members. Data were collected from 12 participants and manually analyzed. The theoretical framework employed was the health belief model. The results of the study showed that COVID+ individuals and household members were informed, knowledgeable, adhered to public health guidelines, and consistently practiced in home social distancing, masking, disinfection and home ventilation. This trend was limited in cases of a caregiver role when providing care for a child or elderly parent. In such cases, the caregiver commenced social distancing but discontinued due to worsening illness. This research has medical/social implications on the importance of community education and information dissemination to the community as it relates to acute and chronic diseases, infectious diseases, the next epidemic and pandemic. Positive social change from the findings may be through awareness of adherence in the home setting in the Northeastern region of the United States and the importance of public health advocacy.

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