scholarly journals Face Mask Use Among Commercial Drivers During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Accra, Ghana

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ernest Agyemang ◽  
Samuel Agyei-Mensah ◽  
Elvis Kyere-Gyeabour
Keyword(s):  
Public Transport ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Health Belief ◽  
Face Mask ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Awareness Campaigns ◽  
Commercial Drivers ◽  
Socio Demographic Factors ◽  
Belief Model

AbstractThe paper contributes to unravelling the perceptions of urban commercial drivers regarding their vulnerability to catching the SARS-CoV-2 virus while at work. It further examines how the perception of vulnerability influences personal use of face masks by drivers, as well as on their insistence on appropriate masking behaviour by other persons on-board public transport. Overcrowding and unsanitary conditions in informal public transport in Africa could facilitate the spread of the corona virus. However, the use of face masks, among other enhanced mitigation measures significantly contain and minimize the spread of the virus. Primary data, obtained through surveys at five major public transport terminals in Accra, was analysed and interpreted using the Health Belief Model as an explanatory framework. Results indicate that most drivers have a high vulnerability perception to Covid-19. It further emerged that older drivers, in particular, consistently wore face masks and insisted on other persons in their commercial vehicles to follow suit. Socio-demographic factors, and the need to ensure one’s personal safety and those of loved ones were critical determinants of face mask use among surveyed drivers. The study thus recommends that public awareness campaigns should strategically focus attention on the younger generation of drivers (i.e. 18–39 years) who perceived themselves to be immune to the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Also, the collaborative efforts of state and non-state actors, like the transport operator unions, must be further strengthened if the gains made so far against Covid-19 is to be sustained.

scholarly journals Do Men Know Which Lower Bowel Symptoms Warrant Medical Attention? A Web-Based Video Vignette Survey of Men in Western Australia

2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 474-486
Author(s):  
Devesh V. Oberoi ◽  
Moyez Jiwa ◽  
Alexandra McManus ◽  
Richard Parsons
Keyword(s):  
General Practitioner ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Health Belief ◽  
Medical Attention ◽  
Early Presentation ◽  
Lower Bowel ◽  
Remote Areas ◽  
Bowel Symptoms ◽  
Belief Model

The current study aims to explor how men would advise other men about seeking help for lower bowel symptoms and also to determine the factors that may influence help seeking. A purposive sample of Western Australian men aged 18 years and older was recruited for the study. Participants completed 8 of the 28 randomly assigned video vignettes (video clips) displaying men (older or younger) with various combinations of one or more lower bowel symptoms. Participants were asked if the person in the vignette should seek health advice. Subsequently, the participants answered a set of questions based on the Health Belief Model. A total of 408 participants (response rate = 51%) answered 3,264 vignettes. Participants younger than 50 years, participants who were not tertiary educated and those who had lower incomes, or those living in regional or remote areas were less likely to advise help seeking from general practitioner (GP). Participants who visited their general practitioner less frequently were also less likely to advisehelp seeking. There was a trend to consider unintentional weight loss and diarrhea as minor symptoms not necessitating medical attention compared with rectal bleeding. The findings suggest for a need to improve public awareness among men about the need to seek timely medical advice for lower bowel symptoms in primary care. The importance of early presentation of persistent lower bowel symptoms must be specifically targeted at men younger than 50 years, those with lower incomes, or residing in regional or remote areas.

From Cues to Action: Information Seeking and Exercise Self-Care among Older Adults Managing Chronic Illness

2005 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 395-408 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pak Hei Benedito Chou ◽  
Andrew V. Wister
Keyword(s):  
Information Seeking ◽  
Self Care ◽  
Health Belief ◽  
Health Behaviours ◽  
Chronically Ill ◽  
Chronic Illnesses ◽  
Information Cues ◽  
Cues To Action ◽  
Socio Demographic Factors ◽  
Belief Model

ABSTRACTDrawing from the health belief model, cues to action have been theorized to influence health behaviours; however, few studies have examined these constructs explicitly. This study investigated the relationship between information cues to action and exercise self-care. It was hypothesized that reading about illness information, knowing about services, and consulting with others about one's illness triggers exercise self-care. The sample consisted of 879 chronically ill adults aged 50 and over, drawn from the Vancouver North Shore Self-Care Study. It was found that the odds of exercising almost doubled for readers of information about illness (compared to non-readers), after controlling for socio-demographic factors, illness context, and illness efficacy. Furthermore, knowledge of services and consultations were shown to increase the odds of exercise self-care. These findings provide support for the salience of cues to action as a pivotal theoretical construct. The implications of these findings for health promotion programs targeting persons with chronic illnesses are discussed.

scholarly journals What Affects Maternal Response to Measles Vaccinations? Examining the Health Beliefs Model (HBM)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keren Grinberg ◽  
Yael Sela
Keyword(s):  
Health Beliefs ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Health Belief ◽  
Correlational Research ◽  
Item Questionnaire ◽  
Main Factors ◽  
Severity Of The Disease ◽  
Belief Model ◽  
Measles Outbreaks ◽  
The Health Belief Model

Background: Renewed measles outbreaks in recent years indicate that despite the routine availability of vaccines for a disease that is considered contagious, dangerous and deadly, many anti-vaccinationists do not vaccinate their children, which consequently endangers public health. This study aimed to investigate the factors that influence mothers to vaccinate their children, and whether the Health Belief Model (HBM) could predict compliance or non-compliance. Methods: This was a quantitative correlational research, utilizing a 40-item questionnaire administered to 181 mothers in Israel. Results: The findings indicated two main factors that affected mothers' intention to vaccinate their children against measles: first, their perception of the vaccine's advantages, and second, their perception of the severity of the disease. It was also found that the HBM variables significantly affected the intention to administer vaccines. Conclusion: Consequently, raising public awareness of the vaccine's advantages and importance to preventing mass infection, as well as attempts by the health system and practitioners to understand the motivations of anti-vaccinationists (including health beliefs and cultural sensitivities) could significantly increase the percentage of vaccinated children, and eradicate the measles epidemic.

scholarly journals Factors Associated with COVID-19 Low Risk perception among urban dwellers in Malawi

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mastano Nambiro Woleson Dzimbiri ◽  
Emmanuel Chilanga ◽  
Patrick Mwanjawala ◽  
Amanda Keller
Keyword(s):  
Risk Perception ◽  
Perceived Risk ◽  
Health Belief ◽  
Qualitative Inquiry ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Individual Risk ◽  
Rapid Appraisal ◽  
Overwhelming Evidence ◽  
Belief Model ◽  
Wrath Of God

Abstract Introduction: Malawians have yet to broadly adopt COVID-19 mitigation measures despite having overwhelming evidence about its infectivity, morbidity, and fatality. Understanding why the general population is not proactive in reducing the spread of this illness is critical to learning how to address this issue. This study explores Malawian COVID-19 risk perception and the associated constraints in the adoption of mitigations. A Health Belief Model (HBM) approach was used to understand factors that undermine COVID-19 messages to achieve behavior change.Methods: The study applied a rapid appraisal and photovoice methodology in this qualitative inquiry to better understand individual risk perception regarding COVID-19. We selected 33 participants from three major cities in Malawi. We transcribed verbatim audio interviews and videos. Transcripts were coded manually to derive key themes and concepts. Results: Religious and political beliefs strongly influenced COVID-19 risk perception. Critical religious factors included the coming of Christ, the wrath of God, and the coming of the beast. Politically, participants believed that COVID-19 lockdown measures were a ploy by the ruling party to remain in power.Conclusion: The study suggests that religious beliefs and political environment undermine self-perceived risk of contracting COVID-19 among urban dwellers in Malawi. We recommend that diverse actors in Malawi should collaborate to promote the dissemination of accurate COVID-19 discourses and reduce the severity of the pandemic’s impact on the Malawi populous.

Control of fraud on mobile money services in Ghana: an exploratory study

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 300-317 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isaac Akomea-Frimpong ◽  
Charles Andoh ◽  
Agnes Akomea-Frimpong ◽  
Yvonne Dwomoh-Okudzeto
Keyword(s):  
Public Awareness ◽  
Internal Controls ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mobile Money ◽  
Fraud Risk ◽  
Awareness Campaigns ◽  
Key Stakeholders ◽  
Interview Guide

Purpose Fraud is a global economic menace which threatens the survival of individuals, firms, industries and economies, and the mobile money service is no exception. This paper aims to explore the main causes of fraud in the mobile money services in Ghana and the measures to combat the menace by the key stakeholders connected to the mobile money services. The paper is motivated by recent reports of numerous fraudulent transactions on the mobile money platform, and the need to clamp down these nefarious transactions with effective and practical measures to sustain the service. Design/methodology/approach A thorough review of existing studies on fraud risk relating to mobile money services was done revealing a paucity of literature on the subject. Primary data were gathered using an interview guide to explore the magnitude of the problem based on the views of employees of mobile money operators, mobile money agents, banking supervisors from Bank of Ghana, employees of partnering banks, employees of National Communications Authority and mobile money subscribers. Findings The study revealed that fraud in mobile money services is caused by weak internal controls and systems, lack of sophisticated information technology tools to detect the menace, inadequate education and training and the poor remuneration of employees. These factors disrupt the growth, and the smooth-running of the services. To curb this menace, a detailed legal code and internal fraud policy should be developed and used by mobile money operators and partner banks. Adequate training for mobile money agents should be encouraged coupled with public awareness campaigns to educate stakeholders especially the mobile money subscribers on the tricks of the fraudsters. Research limitations/implications With the chosen research methodology and limited sample size, the findings may not reflect the views of all the stakeholders connected to the mobile money services. Therefore, future studies on this subject are entreated to use research methods which embrace larger samples to get more details about this menace. Practical implications The study will assist in tackling the mobile money fraud to sustain the service in the foreseeable future. Originality/value This paper contributes to scanty literature on fraud relating to the mobile money services by drawing lessons from a middle-income country.

scholarly journals Face Mask Utilization in the Era of COVID-19: Nigeria Experience

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clement Kevin Edet ◽  
Agiriye M. Harry ◽  
Anthony Ike Wegbom ◽  
Olatunde Raimi ◽  
Adeniyi Francis Fagbamigbe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tertiary Education ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Face Mask ◽  
Suspected Case ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Public ◽  
Awareness Campaigns ◽  
The Government

Abstract Background: The use of face masks has been accepted and recommended globally as a tool for COVID-19 protection. The government of Nigeria made wearing of face masks compulsory in public places. However, no evidence has shown user compliance or knowledge. This study investigated the knowledge and utilization of face masks among the Nigerian population. Methods: This was a web-based cross-sectional survey conducted from July 2 to August 28, 2020 using a convenience sampling technique. This was in adherence to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) guideline of physical/social distancing. Data was collected using a pre-tested questionnaire. Descriptive statistics of frequency with percentage were used to present responses.Results: A total of 811 respondents participated in the survey with the mean age of 36.93±12.17 years, out of which 43.8% were male and 56.2% were female. Christians were 94.6%, those employed were 84.7%, 61.1% attained tertiary education and 50.8% belonged to a household size of 3-5 persons. Almost all the respondents 91.9% and 94% were aware that face masks can reduce the spread of COVID-19 and should be worn in the public respectively. 95.3% of the participants had used a face mask as a protection against COVID-19. Furthermore, 90.2% used face masks in the public, 53% used it when entering restricted places, 45.5% when with a suspected case and 30.7% used a mask due to fear of arrest/punishment. The majority of respondents used homemade masks (70%) and 71.2% reused their masks.Conclusion: This study demonstrated adequate knowledge and utilization of face masks among the population. The homemade mask was mostly used. However, there was a poor cleaning culture of the mask among the population. There should be intensive public awareness campaigns through social and mass media on how to clean reusable face masks.

scholarly journals What Affects Maternal Response to Measles Vaccinations? Examining the Health Beliefs Model (HBM)

Sci ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 20
Author(s):  
Keren Grinberg ◽  
Yael Sela
Keyword(s):  
Health Beliefs ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Health Belief ◽  
Correlational Research ◽  
Item Questionnaire ◽  
Main Factors ◽  
Severity Of The Disease ◽  
Belief Model ◽  
Measles Outbreaks ◽  
The Health Belief Model

Background: Renewed measles outbreaks in recent years indicate that despite the routine availability of vaccines for a disease that is considered contagious, dangerous and deadly, many anti-vaccinationists do not vaccinate their children, which consequently endangers public health. This study aimed to investigate the factors that influence mothers to vaccinate their children, and whether the Health Belief Model (HBM) could predict compliance or non-compliance. Methods: This was a quantitative correlational research, using a 40-item questionnaire administered to 181 mothers in Israel. Results: The findings indicated two main factors that affected mothers’ intention to vaccinate their children against measles: first, their perception of the vaccine’s advantages, and second, their perception of the severity of the disease. It was also found that the HBM variables significantly affected the intention to administer vaccines. Conclusion: Consequently, raising public awareness of the vaccine’s advantages and importance to preventing mass infection, as well as attempts by the health system and practitioners to understand the motivations of anti-vaccinationists (including health beliefs and cultural sensitivities) could significantly increase the percentage of vaccinated children, and eradicate the measles epidemic.

scholarly journals Anti-money Laundering Awareness and Acceptance among the Banking Customers of Nepal

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 337-356
Author(s):  
Aabha Joshi ◽  
Ajay Kumar Shah
Keyword(s):  
Money Laundering ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Financial System ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Awareness Campaigns ◽  
Correlation And Regression Analysis ◽  
The Relationship

Background: Money laundering is a process of converting illegal money into legal money. This process is considered a challenging phenomenon for the financial system. To stop this exploitation of the financial system, anti-money laundering (AML) regimes are formulated. However, the general public acceptance is crucial to make the framework viable. Public awareness of Anti-money Laundering (AML related factors helps people enforce the AML regimes properly. Objective: The paper aims to examine the relationship between awareness of AMLrelated factorsand acceptance ofAMLregimes. Along with that, the study accessesthe level of awareness and level of acceptance among bank clients about AML factors and AML regimes respectively. Methods: Based on descriptive and inferential research designs, the study made use of primary data collected through a structured questionnaire surveyed on 168 bank customers who are of 18 years and above, using a convenience sampling technique. Descriptive analysis is used to access the level of awareness and acceptance, whereas the relationship between awareness and acceptance is examined through correlation and regression analysis. Results: Bank customers are moderately aware of money laundering (ML) andterrorism financing (TF), and anti-money laundering (AML)along with Know Your Customer (KYC).However, they are somewhat and slightly aware of AML investigation agency and AML legislation respectively. Similarly, they have a slightacceptance attitude towards all AML regimes. There is a significantlypositive relationship between awareness of AML related factors and acceptance for AML regimes. Conclusions: Bank customers of Nepal have a comparatively higher awareness of ML, TF, AML and KYC than that of AML legislation and AML investigating agency. However, they have a similar acceptance attitude towards all three AML regimes. Acceptance for AML regimes can be increased by enhancing the awareness of AML related factors among the bank customers. The study, therefore, recommends the concerned authority like FIU-Nepal and NRB to undertake public awareness campaigns in related areas. Implication: Study findings can be useful to policymakers and concerned authorities to formulate positive national policies sensitive to AML.

scholarly journals Study of the Sudanese perceptions of COVID-19: Applying the Health Belief Model

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elwalid F. Nasir ◽  
Hatim Mohammed Almahdi Yagoub ◽  
Ahmed Khalid Alhag
Keyword(s):  
Hand Hygiene ◽  
Health Belief Model ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Health Belief ◽  
Demographic Factors ◽  
University Education ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Socio Demographic Factors ◽  
Belief Model

AbstractBackgroundCOVID-19 a pandemic declared by WHO, is the first in recent history pose challenges on public health. Health Belief Model is a psychosocial model explains and predicts health-related behaviours. This study aimed to explore the perceptions of the Sudanese on COVID-19-related preventive measures.MethodsA Cross-sectional study using online-questionnaire was conducted between 1st-16th April 2020 among Sudanese adults (aged ≥18 years). We used a snowball sampling technique, starting from known professional and social media groups, and individuals and then was distributed on various internet platforms. The survey instrument was based on HBM constructs.ResultsSome 877 individuals participated in the survey with a mean age 37.8 (SD±11.94) more males, mostly having a university education, employed and residing in Khartoum. More than half of the participants scored high in almost all Health Belief Model constructs, except for benefits of hand hygiene. The findings show that the HBM constructs are correlated to each other’s as well as to other socio-demographic factors. Self-efficacy correlated negatively with susceptibility (r −0.084), while positively with severity, benefits of and barriers to hand hygiene, benefits and barriers to social distancing (r 0.117, r 0.347, r 0.202, r 0.396, r 0.276), respectively.ConclusionThe findings show that the HBM constructs are correlated to each other’s as well as to other socio-demographic factors. Self-efficacy must be taken into account as a strong changing factor to susceptibility and severity perceptions. Correlations found in this study might help drive behaviour-changing efforts.

scholarly journals Influence of Tax Knowledge and Awareness on Tax Compliance Among Investors in the Export Processing Zones in Kenya

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Obongo Matibe Bernard ◽  
Dr. Florence S. Memba ◽  
Dr. Oluoch Oluoch
Keyword(s):  
Public Awareness ◽  
Tax Compliance ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Export Processing Zones ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Public ◽  
Awareness Campaigns ◽  
Laws And Regulations ◽  
Export Processing

The objective of this study was to examine the influence of tax knowledge & awareness on tax compliance among Export Processing Zones investors in Kenya. This research used a cross sectional survey research design. The study population comprised of 152 duly registered and licensed firms by the Export Processing Zones Authority.  Since all the registered investors in the three Kenyan Cities were considered for the study, a census sampling technique was employed. Primary data was gathered using structured questionnaires and captured through a 5-point type Likert Scale questionnaire. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used in the analysis of data. Data was analyzed by use of descriptive and inferential statistics. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), multiple regression and correlation analysis was carried out to test the hypothesis. The study established that a significant number of organizations put emphasis on employee training geared at improving their tax knowledge and awareness, thus facilitating tax compliance. The study findings revealed that tax knowledge & awareness has a very close relationship with taxpayers’ ability to understand the laws and regulations of taxation, and their ability to comply with them. It was therefore possible to conclude that firms with well-trained employees on tax issues had a high likelihood of complying voluntarily with tax laws and regulations. The study also led to a conclusion that tax knowledge and awareness had a positive and significant relationship with tax compliance. The study recommends that the Revenue Authorities should embark on public awareness campaigns to educate the public and investors on their role and responsibilities in taxation rather than approaching the matter from a legal obligation perspective. This will create a sense of responsibility in compliance rather than fear for non-compliance. Putting in place active customer oriented information desks as well as client feedback mechanisms is also a necessary tool of increasing tax compliance. Further, more robust measures should be adopted in educating the public and investors on the tax issues and policies through regular training programmes, media advertisements, workshops and seminars.     Key Words: Tax Compliance, Tax Knowledge & Awareness, Export Processing Zones

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