Role of nation’s culture on COVID-19 prevention

Dear Editor,

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious corona disease caused by novel coronavirus (Chen et al., 2020). Many infected people with COVID-19 have mild to moderate respiratory problems. While many of them recover without medical treatment, some do need more intensive support. Being well informed about this virus and how it spreads is the best preventive way to slow down its transmission (World Health Organization, 2020a).

The most important recommendations from national states and the WHO include personal cautions such as frequent hand and face washing; maintaining social distance; avoiding touching eyes, nose, and mouth; practising respiratory hygiene, seeking early medical care. Besides, in the case of having fever, cough and breathing problems the general suggestion is: staying home and following healthcare providers’ advice (World Health Organization, 2020b). Hygiene behaviors, literacy level, media literacy and religious faith in one hand and less rational behaviours on another hand can be affected by the lifestyle and culture of the countries.

Culture is a set of practices and behaviours defined by shared customs, habits, language, and geography by individuals. The concept of culture, and its influence upon individuals, is dynamic (Napier et al., 2014). Therefore, when individuals and societies change, these relevant aspects change subsequently. Furthermore, culture can be considered as an effective factor on life and health due to its effect on the way by which people deal with problems and solve them (Gorji et al., 2014; Rathod et al., 2020), Given that culture can be learned, shared or transmitted between generations, it can be reflected in social regularities (Kreuter & McClure, 2004). Culture can not only can assist in the prevention of epidemic diseases like corona, but can also be effective in treatment and recovery as long as the context is set for cultural influences and individual growth. When individuals get sick, they cannot treat themselves unless they have the capability, opportunity, and motivation to get adjusted effectively (Michie et al., 2011).

Cultural guidelines provide a frame for the group’s social behaviour, which is more essential, especially, in communicable disease context (Antone & Csiernik, 2017). Cultural influences impact the degree to which individuals may follow hygienic recommendations like personal hygiene and quarantine more and help each other better (Sorensen et al., 2019). For instance, during the corona epidemic, public groups in the Islamic Republic of Iran produced and distributed hygiene materials.

Although there was a severe sanction against Iran (Takian et al., 2020), in the Islamic Republic of Iran during such harsh conditions (corona epidemic along with international strict sanctions), different groups of people, depicted the culture of caring to each other and empathy. Many started to produce personal protection products such as mask and special clothing at home. Some people also voluntarily disinfected the urban streets and rural places. Besides, many required devices and materials were devoted to hospitals and coronavirus patients freely by people. As of March 29 2020, Iranian benefactors and charity organisations donated $83 m to support COVID-19 relief (Tehran_Times, 2020).

Overall, it seems essential to consider cultural contexts as an important determinant of the response to covid-19. We suggest that a new health agenda is needed at an international level led by the WHO to reflect learned experiences of cultural influences which enrich and support individuals with: observing personal hygiene correctly, helping each other, coping with quarantine depression, proper use of leisure time, prevention from malnutrition and obtaining news from valid sources.