biostudies-literatureUnknown17(5)Yu YInternal funding of Center for Health Behaviours Research, the Chinese University of Hong Kong<h4>Background</h4>Restriction of gathering size in all public areas is a newly and commonly exercised governmental social distancing policy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Its effectiveness depends on the general public's compliance. This study applied the Protection Motivation Theory (PMT) to investigate determinants (i.e., perceived severity, perceived susceptibility, perceived response efficacy, and perceived self-efficacy) of compliance with the social distancing policy of banning gathering of >4 people in all public areas (BG4PA) in the Hong Kong general adult population.<h4>Methods</h4>300 participants were interviewed through a population-based telephone survey during April 21-28, 2020.<h4>Results</h4>The compliance rate of BG4PA was high (78%). Adjusted for the background factors, mPloS onee0268336https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9089903biostudies-literatureApplication of the protection motivation theory to understand determinants of compliance with the measure of banning gathering size >4 in all public areas for controlling COVID-19 in a Hong Kong Chinese adult general population.PMC9089903Lau MMCLau JTFYu YfalseApplication of the protection motivation theory to understand determinants of compliance with the measure of banning gathering size >4 in all public areas for controlling COVID-19 in a Hong Kong Chinese adult general population.<h4>Background</h4>Restriction of gathering size in all public areas is a newly and commonly exercised governmental social distancing policy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Its effectiveness depends on the general public's compliance. This study applied the Protection Motivation Theory (PMT) to investigate determinants (i.e., perceived severity, perceived susceptibility, perceived response efficacy, and perceived self-efficacy) of compliance with the social distancing policy of banning gathering of >4 people in all public areas (BG4PA) in the Hong Kong general adult population.<h4>Methods</h4>300 participants were interviewed through a population-based telephone survey during April 21-28, 2020.<h4>Results</h4>The compliance rate of BG4PA was high (78%). Adjusted for the background factors, m2022-01-01T00:00:00Z20222025-04-04T19:10:17.505Z2025-04-04T19:10:17.505ZS-EPMC90899033553683310.1371/journal.pone.0268336