Research Article

COVID-19 Perceptions of Individuals Aged 65 and Over Under Quarantine According to the Health Belief Model: A Qualitative Case Study

Volume: 12 Number: 3 December 31, 2025
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COVID-19 Perceptions of Individuals Aged 65 and Over Under Quarantine According to the Health Belief Model: A Qualitative Case Study

Abstract

Objectives: The study was conducted to profoundly examine the COVID-19 perceptions of individuals over 65 years during the lockdown using the Health Belief Model. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted using the case study design, one of the qualitative research methods. A study group was formed by selecting participants who met specific criteria, with a focus on maximum diversity. The sample consisted of 13 elderly individuals, including eight men and five women, with an average age of 69. Most of the participants had lived in rural areas (n=7) and three had contracted COVID-19. Additionally, the most common chronic diseases among the participants were hypertension (n=8) and diabetes (n=7). During the interviews with the participants, a semi-structured interview form consisting of 12 questions was used to ensure content and conceptual coherence. The data collection process was conducted through face-to-face interviews in the participants' own homes, where they felt most comfortable. Results: They more often expressed the COVID-19 perceived susceptibility as virulent disease, getting the disease, contaminating the disease, and death. In perceived severity, they stated that they would get the disease and die. Staying at home and following hygiene rules during quarantine were considered beneficial by most participants. However, some participants stated that quarantine caused stress, loneliness, inactivity and harmful effects. They mainly associated perceived barriers with prevention of basic and healthcare needs and defined self-efficacy as being patient, successful, and obeying the rules. Conclusion: The factors influencing older people's COVID-19 perceptions during the quarantine process are believed to have been identified by the Health Belief Model and these factors are important for the development of preventive health behaviours.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

No financial support was received within the scope of the study

Ethical Statement

Ethical approval and verbal consent were obtained from the participants.

Thanks

We would like to thank everyone who supported and participated in the study despite the isolation period.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Public Health Nursing, Aged Care Nursing

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

December 31, 2025

Submission Date

December 26, 2024

Acceptance Date

December 12, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 12 Number: 3

APA
Özer, M., Çelik, H., Özen, B., & Kaya Erten, Z. (2025). COVID-19 Perceptions of Individuals Aged 65 and Over Under Quarantine According to the Health Belief Model: A Qualitative Case Study. Hacettepe University Faculty of Health Sciences Journal, 12(3), 926-943. https://doi.org/10.21020/husbfd.1605858
AMA
1.Özer M, Çelik H, Özen B, Kaya Erten Z. COVID-19 Perceptions of Individuals Aged 65 and Over Under Quarantine According to the Health Belief Model: A Qualitative Case Study. HUFHSJ. 2025;12(3):926-943. doi:10.21020/husbfd.1605858
Chicago
Özer, Mustafa, Hakan Çelik, Betül Özen, and Zeliha Kaya Erten. 2025. “COVID-19 Perceptions of Individuals Aged 65 and Over Under Quarantine According to the Health Belief Model: A Qualitative Case Study”. Hacettepe University Faculty of Health Sciences Journal 12 (3): 926-43. https://doi.org/10.21020/husbfd.1605858.
EndNote
Özer M, Çelik H, Özen B, Kaya Erten Z (December 1, 2025) COVID-19 Perceptions of Individuals Aged 65 and Over Under Quarantine According to the Health Belief Model: A Qualitative Case Study. Hacettepe University Faculty of Health Sciences Journal 12 3 926–943.
IEEE
[1]M. Özer, H. Çelik, B. Özen, and Z. Kaya Erten, “COVID-19 Perceptions of Individuals Aged 65 and Over Under Quarantine According to the Health Belief Model: A Qualitative Case Study”, HUFHSJ, vol. 12, no. 3, pp. 926–943, Dec. 2025, doi: 10.21020/husbfd.1605858.
ISNAD
Özer, Mustafa - Çelik, Hakan - Özen, Betül - Kaya Erten, Zeliha. “COVID-19 Perceptions of Individuals Aged 65 and Over Under Quarantine According to the Health Belief Model: A Qualitative Case Study”. Hacettepe University Faculty of Health Sciences Journal 12/3 (December 1, 2025): 926-943. https://doi.org/10.21020/husbfd.1605858.
JAMA
1.Özer M, Çelik H, Özen B, Kaya Erten Z. COVID-19 Perceptions of Individuals Aged 65 and Over Under Quarantine According to the Health Belief Model: A Qualitative Case Study. HUFHSJ. 2025;12:926–943.
MLA
Özer, Mustafa, et al. “COVID-19 Perceptions of Individuals Aged 65 and Over Under Quarantine According to the Health Belief Model: A Qualitative Case Study”. Hacettepe University Faculty of Health Sciences Journal, vol. 12, no. 3, Dec. 2025, pp. 926-43, doi:10.21020/husbfd.1605858.
Vancouver
1.Mustafa Özer, Hakan Çelik, Betül Özen, Zeliha Kaya Erten. COVID-19 Perceptions of Individuals Aged 65 and Over Under Quarantine According to the Health Belief Model: A Qualitative Case Study. HUFHSJ. 2025 Dec. 1;12(3):926-43. doi:10.21020/husbfd.1605858