Socio-psychological profile of Latvian inhabitants who did not comply with the COVID-19 epidemiological requirements

Since the beginning of 2020, the world has been affected by the corona virus COVID-19. Since the spring, a number of nations around the world, including Latvia, have declared a state of emergency, with specific government restrictions developed in cooperation with WHO, to reduce spread of the COVID-19. The aim of this study is to examine socio-psychological profile of Latvian inhabitants who did not comply with the COVID-19 epidemiological requirements. A randomized nationally representative sample (N = 2608, aged from 18–74, men 39.8%, women 60.2%) from the online survey, carried out in the frame of the National research program, project Nr. VPP-COVID-2020/1-0011, was used in this study. The results showed that less compliant with COVID-19 epidemiological requirements were males, rural inhabitants, persons aged less than 60 years old, unemployed, with lower education level, and those, who are less afraid of COVID-19 and think that its dangerousness is exaggerated. Compliance with the restrictions did not relate to the marital and parental status. Based on this study, policy suggestions were made regarding a more targeted way of the providing important information on the preventive behaviour to reduce the spread of the virus.

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Mitigating COVID-19 in a Nationally Representative UK Sample: Personal Abilities and Obligation to Obey the Law Shape Compliance with Mitigation Measures

10.31234/osf.io/zuc23 ◽

2020 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Emmeke Barbara Kooistra ◽

Christopher Reinders Folmer ◽

Malouke Esra Kuiper ◽

Elke Olthuis ◽

Megan Brownlee ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Representative Sample ◽

Online Survey ◽

Daily Life ◽

Policy Implications ◽

Mitigation Measures ◽

The United Kingdom ◽

The World ◽

The Law ◽

Nationally Representative ◽

The Uk

The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly influenced daily life all over the world. The present study assesses what factors influenced inhabitants of the United Kingdom to comply with lockdown and social distancing measures. It analyses data from an online survey, conducted on April 6-8, 2020, amongst a nationally representative sample of 555 participants who currently reside in the UK. The results show that compliance depended mostly on people’s capacity to comply with the rules, and the normative obligation they feel to obey the law. As such, compliance was not associated with deterrence or obedience out of fear, but rather with people’s practical abilities and intrinsic motivation to comply. The paper discusses policy implications for effective mitigation of the virus.

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Consumers’ Attitude towards the Sustainability of Different Food Categories

Foods ◽

10.3390/foods9111608 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (11) ◽

pp. 1608

Author(s):

Paola Sánchez-Bravo ◽

Edgar Chambers ◽

Luis Noguera-Artiaga ◽

David López-Lluch ◽

Edgar Chambers ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Online Survey ◽

Sustainable Consumption ◽

Education Level ◽

Human Species ◽

Food Category ◽

Perceptions And Attitudes ◽

Raising Awareness ◽

Lower Education Level ◽

Lower Education ◽

At Will

Currently, poverty, climate change, environmental pollution and the depletion of natural resources have generated a greater concern for sustainability. The objective is the survival of the human species and the persistence of all components of the biosphere. To achieve sustainability, human participation is essential; sustainable consumption depends on consumers’ perceptions of sustainability and how they affect their behavior. The aim of this study was to understand consumers’ perceptions and attitudes towards food sustainability based on country, age, gender, income and education level. An online survey was carried out in countries in Europe, America and Asia. Consumers were asked questions organized into food categories. The results showed that consumers’ attitude towards sustainability is understood differently in each country, even within the same food category. Consumers with lower education level showed the lowest knowledge and concern about food sustainability. Older generations were less aware of sustainability and its related problems. While income level presented unclear results, gender did not affect attitude towards food sustainability. Therefore, to achieve a sustainable future, raising awareness among the population is increasingly necessary. Consequently, segmenting training campaigns according to the group they are aimed at will provide a greater impact and, therefore, greater awareness.

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WHERE TO NOW: EXPECTED CHANGES IN THE TOURIST BEHAVIOR OF BULGARIANS IN CONNECTION WITH COVID-19

Anniversary Scientific Conference with International Participation TOURISM AND CONNECTIVITY ◽

10.36997/tc2020.266 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Elka Dogramadjieva ◽

◽

Ilinka Terziyska ◽

Keyword(s):

Online Survey ◽

Way Of Life ◽

State Of Emergency ◽

Tourist Behavior ◽

Safety Concerns ◽

Tourism Sector ◽

The World ◽

The Way

The COVID-19 crisis has affected the way of life and economies of almost every country in the world; however, its influence on the tourism sector is the strongest. Along with the immediate effect on the functioning of the tourism businesses, changes in the tourist behavior are also expected. The present study aims to identify how the COVID-19 pandemic will affect future travel of Bulgarian residents. The results are based on an online survey conducted in the period 9-16 April 2020, approximately one month after the announcement of a state of emergency. A general conclusion is drawn that the crisis will affect the basic travel parameters of only about half of the respondents. Lower travel expenditure, fewer trips and shorter trips are among the aspects that will undergo the most visible change, along with increased hygiene and safety concerns.

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Income or Culture? Examining the Determinants of Subjective Wellbeing in an International Sample

10.31234/osf.io/yu53w ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Siddharth Garg

Keyword(s):

Online Survey ◽

Subjective Wellbeing ◽

Regression Coefficient ◽

Marginal Utility ◽

Economic Class ◽

Income Groups ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The World ◽

Diminishing Marginal Utility ◽

The Relationship

Objective: The aim of this paper was to examine the relationship between income, subjective wellbeing, and culture among people from a higher socio-economic class across the world. Rationale: Ed Diener proposed the law of diminishing marginal utility as an explanation for differences in subjective wellbeing among different income groups across different countries (Diener, Ng, & Tov, Balance in life and declining marginal utility of diverse resources, 2009). Thus, people with higher incomes would experience less subjective wellbeing due to income, and culture should emerge as a significant predictor. Method: Data from this study came from another study (https://siddharthgargblog.wordpress.com/2019/07/14/love-for-money/). I used an online survey to collect data on annual income in US dollars, subjective wellbeing (WHO-5), and country of residence (Indicator of Culture). 96 responses (Indians = 24, Foreigners = 72) were entered in IBM SPSS and a regression analysis was conducted. The raw dataset used in this study can be found at https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.8869040.v1Results: ANOVA showed a significant difference (p < 0.05) between Indians and foreigners on levels of subjective wellbeing. Linear regression shows the regression coefficient of culture to be significant (Beta = -.254, p = .014) but the regression coefficient of income was not found to be significant. The overall model was found to explain 8.2% of the variance in wellbeing.Conclusion: The sample of this study is too small to make any kind of generalization; it does lend a little bit of support to the idea of diminishing marginal utility of income on subjective wellbeing and provides a rationale for further research.

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COVID-19 Preventive Behaviours in Cameroon: A Six-Month Online National Survey

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18052554 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (5) ◽

pp. 2554

Author(s):

Joseph Nelson Siewe Fodjo ◽

Leonard Ngarka ◽

Wepnyu Y. Njamnshi ◽

Leonard N. Nfor ◽

Michel K. Mengnjo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Regression Models ◽

Health Personnel ◽

Online Survey ◽

Preventive Measures ◽

Face Mask ◽

Logistic Regression Models ◽

Adherence Score ◽

Preventive Behaviour ◽

Predictors Of Adherence

Since March 2020, the Cameroonian government implemented nationwide measures to stall COVID-19 transmission. However, little is known about how well these unprecedented measures are being observed as the pandemic evolves. We conducted a six-month online survey to assess the preventive behaviour of Cameroonian adults during the COVID-19 outbreak. A five-point adherence score was constructed based on self-reported observance of the following preventive measures: physical distancing, face mask use, hand hygiene, not touching one’s face, and covering the mouth when coughing or sneezing. Predictors of adherence were investigated using ordinal logistic regression models. Of the 7381 responses received from all ten regions, 73.3% were from male respondents and overall mean age was 32.8 ± 10.8 years. Overall mean adherence score was 3.96 ± 1.11 on a scale of 0–5. Mean weekly adherence scores were initially high, but gradually decreased over time accompanied by increasing incidence of COVID-19 during the last study weeks. Predictors for higher adherence included higher age, receiving COVID-19 information from health personnel, and agreeing with the necessity of lockdown measures. Meanwhile, experiencing flu-like symptoms was associated with poor adherence. Continuous observance of preventive measures should be encouraged among Cameroonians in the medium- to long-term to avoid a resurgence in COVID-19 infections.

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Contracting for Catastrophe:Legitimizing Emergency Constitutions by Drawing on Social Contract Theory

Res Publica ◽

10.1007/s11158-021-09518-z ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Stefan Voigt

Keyword(s):

Social Contract ◽

Contract Theory ◽

Social Contract Theory ◽

Constitutional Rights ◽

State Of Emergency ◽

Half Century ◽

States Of Emergency ◽

The World

AbstractStates of emergency are declared frequently in all parts of the world. Their declaration routinely implies a suspension of basic constitutional rights. In the last half century, it has become the norm for constitutions to contain an explicit ‘emergency constitution’, i.e., the constitutionally safeguarded rules of operation for a state of emergency. In this paper, I ask whether inclusion of an emergency constitution can be legitimized by drawing on social contract theory. I argue that there are important arguments, both against and in favor of constitutionalized emergency provisions, and that social contract theory—as applied by economists—can be of some help when deciding whether to have, or not to have an emergency constitution. This paper introduces a novel argument for justifying emergency constitutions. It argues that they can serve as a commitment mechanism protecting both citizens and politicians from overreacting to rare but significant threats.

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What Did Angola Learn from the World and What Did the World Learn from COVID-19? Reflection on Epidemiological Surveillance in Health

Journal of Health Management ◽

10.1177/0972063420983609 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 22 (4) ◽

pp. 528-540

Author(s):

Euclides Nenga Manuel Sacomboio

Keyword(s):

Critical Thinking ◽

Critical Analysis ◽

Epidemiological Surveillance ◽

Professional Experience ◽

State Of Emergency ◽

The World ◽

History Of ◽

The Government ◽

Scientific Reflection ◽

Epidemiological Situation

The global community is racing to slow down and eventually stop the spread of COVID-19, which is a pandemic that has killed thousands of lives and made tens of thousands sick. The new coronavirus has already reached Angola, with 25 confirmed cases, among them 2 died and 6 were cured. The government has decreed a state of emergency on 24 March 2020 for 15 days, which was extended twice for the same number of days that will make it possible to reduce clusters of people and keep them at home. This study reflected on the diverse ways of leadership. It is an article of theoretical, technical and scientific reflection, based on the experience of a new epidemiological situation, with a critical analysis based on technical, scientific and professional experience, with bibliographic input of data obtained from information published in scientific articles, newspapers, magazines and other official documents published in Angola and worldwide related to COVID-19. This article emerged from critical thinking based on the current situation of COVID-19 in Angola in the world and is reflected in this article, what Angola should learn and learned from the experience of other countries that also imported the disease, their history of investment in health, characteristics of their populations, their economies and other aspects.

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Repeat Induced Abortion among Chinese Women Seeking Abortion: Two Cross Sectional Studies

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18094446 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (9) ◽

pp. 4446

Author(s):

Longmei Tang ◽

Shangchun Wu ◽

Dianwu Liu ◽

Marleen Temmerman ◽

Wei-Hong Zhang

Keyword(s):

Negative Binomial ◽

Induced Abortion ◽

Education Level ◽

Married Women ◽

Negative Binomial Regression Model ◽

Related Factors ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Lower Education Level ◽

Induced Abortions ◽

Lower Education

Background: In China, there were about 9.76 million induced abortions in 2019, 50% of which were repeat abortions. Understanding the tendency of repeat induced abortion and identifying its related factors is needed to develop prevention strategies. Methods: Two hospital-based cross-sectional surveys were conducted from 2005–2007 and 2013–2016 in 24 and 90 hospitals, respectively. The survey included women who sought an induced abortion within 12 weeks of pregnancy. The proportion of repeat induced abortions by adjusting the covariates through propensity score matching was compared between the two surveys, and the zero-inflated negative binomial regression model was established to identify independent factors of repeat induced abortion. Results: Adjusting the age, occupation, education, marital status and number of children, the proportion of repeat induced abortions in the second survey was found to be low (60.28% vs. 11.11%), however the unadjusted proportion was high in the second survey (44.97% vs. 51.54%). The risk of repeat induced abortion was higher among married women and women with children [ORadj and 95% CI: 0.31 (0.20, 0.49) and 0.08 (0.05, 0.13)]; the risk among service industry staff was higher when compared with unemployed women [ORadj and 95% CI: 0.19 (0.07, 0.54)]; women with a lower education level were at a higher risk of a repeat induced abortion (ORadj < 1). Compared with women under the age of 20, women in other higher age groups had a higher frequency of repeat induced abortions (IRadj: 1.78, 2.55, 3.27, 4.01, and 3.93, separately); the frequency of women with lower education levels was higher than those with a university or higher education level (IRadj > 1); the repeat induced abortion frequency of married women was 0.93 (0.90, 0.98) when compared to the frequency of unmarried women, while the frequency of women with children was 1.17 (1.10, 1.25) of childless women; the induced abortion frequency of working women was about 60–95% with that of unemployed women. Conclusions: The repeat induced abortion proportion was lower than 10 years ago. Induced abortion seekers who were married, aged 20 to 30 years and with a lower education level were more likely to repeat induced abortions.

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COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance in Azuay Province, Ecuador: A Cross-Sectional Online Survey

Vaccines ◽

10.3390/vaccines9060678 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (6) ◽

pp. 678

Author(s):

Julio Jaramillo-Monge ◽

Michael Obimpeh ◽

Bernardo Vega ◽

David Acurio ◽

Annelies Boven ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rural Areas ◽

Online Survey ◽

Vaccination Campaign ◽

Postgraduate Education ◽

Effective Vaccine ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Lower Education Level ◽

Vaccination Acceptance ◽

History Of ◽

High Level

We investigated the COVID-19 vaccination acceptance level in Azuay province, Ecuador through an online survey from 12th to 26th February (before the start of the COVID-19 vaccination campaign in Ecuador). Overall, 1219 respondents participated in the survey. The mean age was 32 ± 13 years; 693 participants (57%) were female. In total, 1109 (91%) of the participants indicated they were willing to be vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine, if the vaccine is at least 95% effective; 835 (68.5%) if it is 90% effective and 493 (40.5%) if it is 70% effective; 676 (55.5%) participants indicated they feared side effects and 237 (19.4%) thought the vaccine was not effective. Older age, having had a postgraduate education, a history of a negative COVID-19 test, a high level of worry of contracting COVID-19, believing that COVID-19 infection can be prevented with a vaccine and understanding there is currently an effective vaccine against COVID-19 were associated with higher vaccination acceptance. A vaccination education campaign will be needed to increase the knowledge of Ecuadorians about the COVID-19 vaccine and to increase their trust in the vaccine. People with a lower education level and living in rural areas may need to be targeted during such a campaign.

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Cardio-metabolic and socio-demographic risk factors associated with dependency in basic and instrumental activities of daily living among older Iranian adults: Bushehr elderly health program

BMC Geriatrics ◽

10.1186/s12877-021-02124-x ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Kazem Khalagi ◽

Akram Ansarifar ◽

Noushin Fahimfar ◽

Mahnaz Sanjari ◽

Safoora Gharibzdeh ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Activities Of Daily Living ◽

Daily Living ◽

Education Level ◽

Lower Education Level ◽

History Of ◽

Elderly Health ◽

Lower Education ◽

Demographic Risk ◽

Demographic Risk Factors

Abstract Background Iran’s population is aging. Disability is a major public health problem for older adults, not only in Iran but all over the world. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between cardio-metabolic and socio-demographic risk factors and disability in people 60 years and older in Iran. Methods The baseline (cross-sectional) data of 2426 samples from the Bushehr Elderly Health (BEH) program was included in the analysis. The participants were selected through multi-stage random sampling in Bushehr, southern Iran. Socio-demographic characteristics, as well as the history of diabetes and other chronic diseases, and smoking were measured using standardized questionnaires. Anthropometric measurements and laboratory tests were performed under standard conditions. Dependency was determined by the questionnaires of basic activities of daily living (BADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) using Barthel and Lawton scales respectively. Multiple logistic regression was used in the analysis. Results Mean (Standard Deviation) of the participants’ age was 69.3 (6.4) years (range: 60 and 96 years), and 48.1% of the participants were men. After adjusting for potential confounders, being older, being female (OR (95%CI): 2.3 (1.9–2.9)), having a lower education level, a history of diabetes mellitus (OR: 1.4 (1.2–1.7)) and past smoking (OR: 1.3 (1.0–1.6)), and no physical activity (OR: 1.5 (1.2–1.9)) were significantly associated with dependency in IADL. Also, being older and female (OR: 2.4 (1.9–3.0)), having a lower education level, no physical activity (OR: 2.2 (1.6–2.9)) and daily intake of calories (OR: 0.99 (0.99–0.99)) were associated with dependency in BADL. Conclusion Dependency in older adults can be prevented by increasing community literacy, improving physical activity, preventing and controlling diabetes mellitus, avoiding smoking, and reducing daily calorie intake.

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