Self-preserving Behaviour of Georgian Population During the Period of Covid-19 Pandemic

Abstract

The following papers deals with self-preserving behaviour in the period of a global problem — COVID-19 pandemic. Positive self-preserving behaviour determines the level of health of an individual and, consequently, of a society. In the period of the pandemic we have witnessed an increased interest toward self-preserving behaviour. Apart from observing private hygiene or hygiene norms and social distancing, there were no other protective mechanisms during the process of the research, and vaccination has not yet begun. As a result of the urgency of the issue, the staff s of Institute Demography and Sociology Ilia State University under the guidance of professor A. Sulaberidze have conducted a sociological research in October 2020, “Awareness of the corona virus pandemic’s impact on the social-economic situation of Georgian population and self-preservative behaviour”, in four regions of Georgia. Th e regions were selected based on the level of the coronavirus’s proliferation. Respondents were selected using the method of random sampling. We interviewed 500 respondents with the help of pre-composed questionnaires. Th e following research is one of the attempts in Georgia to study self-preserving behaviour under the circumstances of the pandemic and it shows us to what extent the population’s self-pre-serving behaviour is directed toward defense against the coronavirus. One of the main functions of a state is to prevent the spread of diseases and protect its population from harmful infl uence of environmental factors. In this regard, the state has implemented signifi cant measures; however, they are not suffi cient as the joint eff orts of the state and each citizen determine the robustness of a country’s population as well as the scope of a pandemic’s proliferation. Our goal is to evaluate the eff orts of the citizens, as for our objectives, we aim to ascertain the factors which seem auspicious and adverse for the mentioned eff orts. Th e analysis of the research’s results outlined important diff erences between genders with regard to evaluating one’s own health and selfpreserving behaviour. Th e researchers had also shown that men value their health more highly and take care of it less. Th is tendency is immutable even when self-preserving behaviour signifi cantly determines not only the possibility of one’s own infection, but also of those surrounding us. Women respondents are more prone to observe every recommendation of epidemiologists than men. Th e level of population’s awareness is high with respect to the symptoms of the infection as well as recommendations for self-protection and the existing infection situation in the country. Th e dissimilar levels of infection between various regions gave us varying indicators of awareness. Th e higher the infection rate, the higher the awareness rate. Th e respondents’ health condition signifi cantly determines the population’s attitude toward the coronavirus infection. Self-assessment of one’s health condition has an impact on the level of fear caused by the pandemic. Th e respondents with chronic ailments are more liable to express fear than those who evaluate their health highly. Th e perception of the risks associated with the coronavirus infection is diff erent in terms of sexes. Compared to men, women, on average, perceive the coronavirus threat and its subsequent problems more emotionally and give a lower assessment to their health condition. Th e population’s fear of the pandemic is exacerbated by the fact that this viral infection has not been adequately studied yet and we are not aware of its future repercussions or complications. Therefore, those respondents who are fully healthy also express justifi able apprehension. Th ere emerged a proportionate connection between the level of following the epidemiologists’ re co mmendations and perception of the threat of the COVID infection. The more seriously people perceive the mentioned threat, the more eager they are to fulfi ll the epidemiologists’ recommendations.