scholarly journals Understanding the Community Risk Perceptions of the COVID-19 Outbreak in South Korea: Infodemiology Study (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Atina Husnayain ◽  
Eunha Shim ◽  
Anis Fuad ◽  
Emily Chia-Yu Su
Keyword(s):  
Risk Perception ◽  
Health Risk ◽  
South Korea ◽  
Community Health ◽  
Risk Perceptions ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Face Mask ◽  
Search Data ◽  
Internet Searches ◽  
Online Queries

BACKGROUND South Korea is among the best-performing countries in tackling the coronavirus pandemic by using mass drive-through testing, face mask use, and extensive social distancing. However, understanding the patterns of risk perception could also facilitate effective risk communication to minimize the impacts of disease spread during this crisis. OBJECTIVE We attempt to explore patterns of community health risk perceptions of COVID-19 in South Korea using internet search data. METHODS Google Trends (GT) and NAVER relative search volumes (RSVs) data were collected using COVID-19–related terms in the Korean language and were retrieved according to time, gender, age groups, types of device, and location. Online queries were compared to the number of daily new COVID-19 cases and tests reported in the Kaggle open-access data set for the time period of December 5, 2019, to May 31, 2020. Time-lag correlations calculated by Spearman rank correlation coefficients were employed to assess whether correlations between new COVID-19 cases and internet searches were affected by time. We also constructed a prediction model of new COVID-19 cases using the number of COVID-19 cases, tests, and GT and NAVER RSVs in lag periods (of 1-3 days). Single and multiple regressions were employed using backward elimination and a variance inflation factor of &lt;5. RESULTS The numbers of COVID-19–related queries in South Korea increased during local events including local transmission, approval of coronavirus test kits, implementation of coronavirus drive-through tests, a face mask shortage, and a widespread campaign for social distancing as well as during international events such as the announcement of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by the World Health Organization. Online queries were also stronger in women (<i>r</i>=0.763-0.823; <i>P</i>&lt;.001) and age groups ≤29 years (<i>r</i>=0.726-0.821; <i>P</i>&lt;.001), 30-44 years (<i>r</i>=0.701-0.826; <i>P</i>&lt;.001), and ≥50 years (<i>r</i>=0.706-0.725; <i>P</i>&lt;.001). In terms of spatial distribution, internet search data were higher in affected areas. Moreover, greater correlations were found in mobile searches (<i>r</i>=0.704-0.804; <i>P</i>&lt;.001) compared to those of desktop searches (<i>r</i>=0.705-0.717; <i>P</i>&lt;.001), indicating changing behaviors in searching for online health information during the outbreak. These varied internet searches related to COVID-19 represented community health risk perceptions. In addition, as a country with a high number of coronavirus tests, results showed that adults perceived coronavirus test–related information as being more important than disease-related knowledge. Meanwhile, younger, and older age groups had different perceptions. Moreover, NAVER RSVs can potentially be used for health risk perception assessments and disease predictions. Adding COVID-19–related searches provided by NAVER could increase the performance of the model compared to that of the COVID-19 case–based model and potentially be used to predict epidemic curves. CONCLUSIONS The use of both GT and NAVER RSVs to explore patterns of community health risk perceptions could be beneficial for targeting risk communication from several perspectives, including time, population characteristics, and location.

scholarly journals Understanding the Community Risk Perceptions of the COVID-19 Outbreak in South Korea: Infodemiology Study

10.2196/19788 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (9) ◽  
pp. e19788
Author(s):  
Atina Husnayain ◽  
Eunha Shim ◽  
Anis Fuad ◽  
Emily Chia-Yu Su
Keyword(s):  
Risk Perception ◽  
Health Risk ◽  
South Korea ◽  
Community Health ◽  
Risk Perceptions ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Face Mask ◽  
Search Data ◽  
Internet Searches ◽  
Online Queries

Background South Korea is among the best-performing countries in tackling the coronavirus pandemic by using mass drive-through testing, face mask use, and extensive social distancing. However, understanding the patterns of risk perception could also facilitate effective risk communication to minimize the impacts of disease spread during this crisis. Objective We attempt to explore patterns of community health risk perceptions of COVID-19 in South Korea using internet search data. Methods Google Trends (GT) and NAVER relative search volumes (RSVs) data were collected using COVID-19–related terms in the Korean language and were retrieved according to time, gender, age groups, types of device, and location. Online queries were compared to the number of daily new COVID-19 cases and tests reported in the Kaggle open-access data set for the time period of December 5, 2019, to May 31, 2020. Time-lag correlations calculated by Spearman rank correlation coefficients were employed to assess whether correlations between new COVID-19 cases and internet searches were affected by time. We also constructed a prediction model of new COVID-19 cases using the number of COVID-19 cases, tests, and GT and NAVER RSVs in lag periods (of 1-3 days). Single and multiple regressions were employed using backward elimination and a variance inflation factor of <5. Results The numbers of COVID-19–related queries in South Korea increased during local events including local transmission, approval of coronavirus test kits, implementation of coronavirus drive-through tests, a face mask shortage, and a widespread campaign for social distancing as well as during international events such as the announcement of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by the World Health Organization. Online queries were also stronger in women (r=0.763-0.823; P<.001) and age groups ≤29 years (r=0.726-0.821; P<.001), 30-44 years (r=0.701-0.826; P<.001), and ≥50 years (r=0.706-0.725; P<.001). In terms of spatial distribution, internet search data were higher in affected areas. Moreover, greater correlations were found in mobile searches (r=0.704-0.804; P<.001) compared to those of desktop searches (r=0.705-0.717; P<.001), indicating changing behaviors in searching for online health information during the outbreak. These varied internet searches related to COVID-19 represented community health risk perceptions. In addition, as a country with a high number of coronavirus tests, results showed that adults perceived coronavirus test–related information as being more important than disease-related knowledge. Meanwhile, younger, and older age groups had different perceptions. Moreover, NAVER RSVs can potentially be used for health risk perception assessments and disease predictions. Adding COVID-19–related searches provided by NAVER could increase the performance of the model compared to that of the COVID-19 case–based model and potentially be used to predict epidemic curves. Conclusions The use of both GT and NAVER RSVs to explore patterns of community health risk perceptions could be beneficial for targeting risk communication from several perspectives, including time, population characteristics, and location.

scholarly journals Assessing the community risk perception toward COVID-19 outbreak in South Korea: evidence from Google and NAVER relative search volume

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Atina Husnayain ◽  
Eunha Shim ◽  
Anis Fuad ◽  
Emily Chia-Yu Su
Keyword(s):  
Risk Perception ◽  
Health Risk ◽  
South Korea ◽  
Risk Communication ◽  
Community Health ◽  
Population Characteristics ◽  
Online Information ◽  
Search Volume ◽  
Relative Search Volume ◽  
Health Risk Perception

AbstractThis study aimed to explore the patterns of community health risk perception of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in South Korea using Internet search data. Google and NAVER relative search volume data were collected using COVID-19-related terms in Korean language. Online queries were compared with the number of new COVID-19 cases and tests. Time series trends and Spearman’s rank correlation coefficients showed that the number of COVID-19-related queries in South Korea increased during the local and international events; higher in women, certain age groups; and higher in affected areas, which represented the community health risk perception. Greater correlations were found in mobile searches compared to that of desktop searches, indicating the changing behavior in searching health online information. The use of both Google and NAVER RSV to explore the patterns of community health risk perception could be beneficial for targeting risk communication in several perspectives including time, population characteristics, and location.Article Summary LineThe use of both Google and NAVER RSV to explore the patterns of community health risk perception toward COVID-19 in South Korea could be beneficial for targeting risk communication in several perspectives including time, population characteristics, and location.

scholarly journals Influence of trust on two different risk perceptions as an affective and cognitive dimension during Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) outbreak in South Korea: serial cross-sectional surveys

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. e033026 ◽  
Author(s):  
Won Mo Jang ◽  
Un-Na Kim ◽  
Deok Hyun Jang ◽  
Hyemin Jung ◽  
Sanghyun Cho ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Perception ◽  
Middle East ◽  
General Population ◽  
South Korea ◽  
Risk Perceptions ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Cognitive Risk ◽  
Household Economic Status ◽  
The Government

ObjectivesThis study aimed to assess the affective and cognitive risk perceptions in the general population of Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) during the 2015 MERS coronavirus (MERS-CoV) outbreak in South Korea and the influencing factors.DesignSerial cross-sectional design with four consecutive surveys.SettingNationwide general population in South Korea.ParticipantsOverall 4010 respondents (aged 19 years and over) from the general population during the MERS-CoV epidemic were included.Primary and secondary outcome measuresThe main outcome measures were (1) affective risk perception, (2) cognitive risk perception, and (3) trust in the government. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to identify factors (demographic, socioeconomic, area and political orientation) associated with risk perceptions.ResultsBoth affective and cognitive risk perceptions decreased as the MERS-CoV epidemic progressed. Proportions of affective risk perception were higher in all surveys and slowly decreased compared with cognitive risk perception over time. Females (adjusted OR (aOR) 1.72–2.00; 95% CI 1.14 to 2.86) and lower self-reported household economic status respondents were more likely to perceive the affective risk. The older the adults, the higher the affective risk perception, but the lower the cognitive risk perception compared with younger adults. The respondents who had low trust in the government had higher affective (aOR 2.19–3.11; 95 CI 1.44 to 4.67) and cognitive (aOR 3.55–5.41; 95 CI 1.44 to 9.01) risk perceptions.ConclusionsThis study suggests that even if cognitive risk perception is dissolved, affective risk perception can continue during MERS-CoV epidemic. Risk perception associating factors (ie, gender, age and self-reported household economic status) appear to be noticeably different between affective and cognitive dimensions. It also indicates that trust in the government influences affective risk perception and cognitive risk perception. There is a need for further efforts to understand the mechanism regarding the general public’s risk perception for effective risk communication.

Food traceability systems, consumers’ risk perception, and purchase intention: Evidence from the “4-label-1-Q” approach in Taiwan

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shu-Chen Hsu ◽  
Yu-Fu Huang ◽  
Trias Mahmudiono ◽  
Hsiu-Ling Chen
Keyword(s):  
Food Safety ◽  
Risk Perception ◽  
Educational Level ◽  
Risk Perceptions ◽  
Purchase Intention ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Food Labels ◽  
Food Traceability ◽  
Traceability System ◽  
The Future

Many food safety issues have occurred in Taiwan during the past decade. Therefore, in 2016, the Taiwan government proposed the “Five rings of food safety” policy to comprehensively protect consumer food supply. Among these policies, the “4-labels-1-Q” approach was adopted to ensure the selection of “retrospective foods” with traceable labels. Hence, this study investigated the association between the degree of recognizing the “4-label-1-Q” food traceability system and risk perceptions, in addition to whether a consumer’s purchase intention of fresh foods with food labels changed after enlightenment using an educational film on food labels. In this study, the subjects were defined as the family's main food purchasers. Subsequently, 290 valid questionnaire interviews and film educational materials were administered in Tainan markets and stores. Results showed that risk perception for labeling was significantly affected by label knowledge. Alternatively, age, educational level, and the degree of risk perception influenced purchase intention. Results also showed that after administering the video intervention, the label knowledge and purchase intention increased significantly. However, film education after adjustment for age, educational level, income, and purchase places insignificantly affected risk perception, especially for those who had lower educational levels, including those over the age of 65. First, the public’s trust can be boosted through label education among age groups using different channels and methods. Therefore, in the future, encouraging the sale of labeled foods in traditional markets would be a useful strategy. Second, the age, educational level, income, and risk perception of the participants significantly affected the purchase intention. Thus, in the future, this study can be a reference for designing risk communication strategies and promoting traceable agricultural products.

scholarly journals Risk Perception and COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liliana Cori ◽  
Fabrizio Bianchi ◽  
Ennio Cadum ◽  
Carmen Anthonj
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Risk Perception ◽  
Health Risk ◽  
Risk Perceptions ◽  
Health Governance ◽  
The World ◽  
Public Health Governance ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Improve Health

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is shaking the foundations of public health governance all over the world. Researchers are challenged by informing and supporting authorities on acquired knowledge and practical implications. This commentary applies established theories of risk perception research to COVID-19 and reflects on the role of risk perceptions in these unprecedented times. Moreover, it calls for utilizing the knowledge on risk perception to improve health risk communication, build trust and contribute to a collaborating governance.

scholarly journals Alcohol Consumption and Perceptions of Health Risks During COVID-19: A Qualitative Study of Middle-Aged Women in South Australia

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Belinda Lunnay ◽  
Kristen Foley ◽  
Samantha B. Meyer ◽  
Megan Warin ◽  
Carlene Wilson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Health Risk ◽  
Health Risks ◽  
Risk Perceptions ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Cumulative Exposure ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Short Period

Australian women's alcohol consumption has increased in frequency during COVID-19. Research suggests this is to cope with stress resulting from the pandemic and COVID-19 countermeasures that require social distancing. This is a critical public health concern because increased alcohol consumption, even for a short period, increases the myriad longer-term health risks associated with cumulative exposure to alcohol. This paper provides unique qualitative evidence of how health risk perceptions are re-focused toward the shorter-term during the pandemic, through analysis of interviews with 40 middle-aged Australian women (aged 45–64) representing a range of self-perceived drinking status' (“occasional”/“light”/“moderate”/“heavy”) before and then during the pandemic (n = 80 interviews). Our analysis captures women's risk horizons drifting away from the uncertain longer-term during COVID-19, toward the immediate need to “get through” the pandemic. We show how COVID-19 has increased the perceived value of consuming alcohol among women, particularly when weighed up against the social and emotional “costs” of reducing consumption. Our findings have implications for the delivery of alcohol-related health risk messages designed for middle-aged women both during, and into the recovery phases of the pandemic, who already consume more alcohol and experience more alcohol-related health risk than women in other age groups.

scholarly journals Risk Perception in a Real-World Situation (COVID-19): How It Changes From 18 to 87 Years Old

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessia Rosi ◽  
Floris Tijmen van Vugt ◽  
Serena Lecce ◽  
Irene Ceccato ◽  
Martine Vallarino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Perception ◽  
Real World ◽  
Perceived Risk ◽  
Risk Perceptions ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Perception Of Risk ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Different Ages ◽  
Real World Situation

Studies on age-related differences in risk perception in a real-world situation, such as the recent COVID-19 outbreak, showed that the risk perception of getting COVID-19 tends to decrease as age increases. This finding raised the question on what factors could explain risk perception in older adults. The present study examined age-related differences in risk perception in the early stages of COVID-19 lockdown, analyzing variables that can explain the differences in perception of risk at different ages. A total of 1,765 adults aged between 18 and 87 years old completed an online survey assessing perceived risk severity and risk vulnerability of getting COVID-19, sociodemographic status, emotional state, experience relating to COVID-19, and physical health status. Results showed that the older the participants, the lower the perceived vulnerability to getting COVID-19, but the higher the perceived severity. Different predictors explain the perception of risk severity and vulnerability at different ages. Overall, self-reported anxiety over the pandemic is a crucial predictor in explaining risk perceptions in all age groups. Theoretical and practical implications of the empirical findings are discussed.

scholarly journals Factors Associated with Increased Risk Perception of Pandemic Influenza in Australia

2010 ◽  
Vol 2010 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Jacobs ◽  
Melanie Taylor ◽  
Kingsley Agho ◽  
Garry Stevens ◽  
Margo Barr ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Perception ◽  
Pandemic Influenza ◽  
Risk Perceptions ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
High Concern ◽  
Demographic Subgroups ◽  
At Home

The aim of this study was to assess factors associated with increased risk perception of pandemic influenza in Australia. The sample consisted of 2081 Australian adults aged 16 years and older who completed a short three item pandemic influenza question module which was incorporated into the NSW Health Adult Population Health Survey during the first quarter of 2007. After adjusting for covariates, multivariate analysis indicated that those living in rural regions were significantly more likely to perceive a high risk that a pandemic influenza would occur, while those with poor self-rated health perceived both a high likelihood of pandemic and high concern that self/family would be directly affected were such an event to occur. Those who spoke a language other than English at home and those on low incomes and younger people (16–24 years) were significantly more likely to have changed the way they lived their lives due to the possibility of pandemic influenza, compared to those who spoke only English at home, middle-high income earners, and older age groups, respectively. This data provides an Australian population baseline against which the risk perceptions of demographic subgroups regarding the current, and potential future pandemics, can be compared and monitored.

scholarly journals ADHERENCE TO VACCINATION AND PERCEPTION OF COVID-19 RISK AMONG POPULAITON IN THE REPUBLIC OF BELARUS

2021 ◽  
pp. 4-13
Author(s):  
E.A. Hutsich ◽  
◽  
S.I. Sychyk ◽  
S.L. Itpayeva-Liudchyk ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Perception ◽  
Health Risk ◽  
Health Risks ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Medical Personnel ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Public Healthcare ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Health Risk Perception

Our research goal was to examine health risk perception and adherence to vaccination against COVID-19 among various social and demographic population groups in Belarus. To achieve this goal, a cross-sectional study was accomplished via using an online poll. The obtained results reveal that perception of health risks caused by COVID-19 is quite significant among people living in Belarus since only 9.9 % of the questioned do not consider COVID-19 a dangerous disease. Higher levels of risk perception have been detected among medical personnel, older age groups, and people with chronic pathologies. Most respondents believe vaccination is among the most efficient anti-COVID-19 measures; however, people are rather poorly aware about provided opportunities to get vaccinated. 33.6 % among respondents who are not vaccinated don’t plan to do it with; their basic reasons for this refusal are lack of trust, both in vaccines being safe and efficient and overall trust in preparations suggested for vaccination. Having analyzed answers given by respondents who were medical workers we revealed that a greater share of them were vaccinated but reasons for refusing from vaccination were the same. 20.1 % respondents from all groups and 21.2 % medical workers who took part in the questioning stated that they needed additional information about vaccination. When developing communication strategies aimed at raising awareness among population, we should bear in mind that lower perception of COVID-19-related health risks and refusal from vaccination are more widely spread among people younger than 40; people who don’t have higher education; people with minor children in their families. Prevalence of lower COVID-19-related health risk perception is also greater among men; people who don’t live in the capital; people with eld- erly relatives in their families. Internet resources, data provided by the WHO and Public Healthcare Ministry, and medical personnel are considered the most reliable sources of information by population in Belarus.

Health Risk Perception and Risk Communication

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 163-169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ralf Schmälzle ◽  
Britta Renner ◽  
Harald T. Schupp
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Risk Perception ◽  
Health Risk ◽  
Risk Communication ◽  
Risk Perceptions ◽  
Protective Action ◽  
Health Behavior Change ◽  
Personal Risk ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Health Risk Perception

Risk perceptions are a prerequisite for protective action. Both scientists and practitioners need to understand the multifaceted nature of health risk perception and risk communication. This article reviews insights from psychophysiological research, with a focus on neuroscientific approaches that examine the biological basis of risk perception in the brain and capture the brain response to health and risk messages. Specifically, we discuss the key role of intuitive processes for personal risk perception and the difference between absolute and comparative risk. We then describe the relationship between risk perception and health behavior change and present recent work that measures responses to health prevention messages. Finally, we discuss implications for translation to public health policy and point to needs for future research. A better understanding of the biological roots of personal risk perception and how these can be addressed via risk communication informs policymakers in designing effective public health interventions.

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