Spatial Distance to Epicenter, Risk Perceptions, and Preventive Behaviors Against Health Risks in the Initial Stage of the COVID-19 Pandemic (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diyi Liu ◽  
Sanmei Wen ◽  
Jing Su
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Risk Perceptions ◽  
Regression Models ◽  
Spatial Distance ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Preventive Behaviors ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Perceived Susceptibility ◽  
Perceived Severity

BACKGROUND The rapid global spread of COVID-19 has become a monumental public health emergency. Gauging people’s psychological and behavioral reactions in an initial alerting stage is crucial for helping public health authorities to manage the epidemic. OBJECTIVE To investigate how spatial distance from the epicenter of Wuhan influenced people’s risk perceptions regarding COVID-19. Additionally, how risk perceptions, in concert with demographic variables, influenced the adoption of different preventive behaviors in the early stages of the outbreak. METHODS We conducted a national cross-sectional survey from January 21, 2020 to January 23, 2020. We assessed the association between spatial distance from the epicenter and participants’ risk perceptions using linear regression models. We used binomial logistic regression models to calculate the determinants of the adoption of six preventive behaviors against COVID-19. RESULTS Our data contain 1988 valid responses from 31 provinces in mainland China; 28.2% of respondants resided in Hubei province (n=560). Participant locations were roughly coded into five categories based on their geographical distance from the epicenter. We found that the closer people were to the initial epicenter in Wuhan, the higher susceptibility they felt (β=-.24, t=-11.12, P<.001), while their perceived severity displayed no significant variation based on location (β=-.02, t=-.93, P=.35). Compared with those in the peripheral provinces, people in Hubei and the forth-category provinces reported higher odds of wearing facemasks when going out (odds ratio [OR] 2.635 95%CI 1.33-4.17, P<.001; OR 3.19, 95%CI 1.78-5.72, P<.001, respectively). Participants with higher perceived susceptibility had a higher likelihood of wearing masks (OR 1.15, 95%CI 1.01-1.31, P=.04), however, lower odds of avoiding social gatherings (OR 0.87, 95%CI 0.77-0.99, P=.03) and avoiding visiting Wuhan (OR 0.69, 95%CI 0.61-0.77, P<.001). Participants’ perceived severity was positively associated with their engagement in washing hands and frequent ventilation (OR 1.12, 95%CI 1.00-1.24, P=.05), wearing masks in public (OR 1.39, 95%CI 1.25-1.55, P<.001), avoiding social gathering (OR 1.25, 95%CI 1.12-1.38, P<.001) and avoiding traveling to Wuhan (OR 1.13, 95%CI 1.02-1.25, P=.02). Participants’ sex was also associated with their perceived severity and the engagement of precautionary behaviors. CONCLUSIONS These results characterize an “epicenter effect” early in the pandemic. Our findings expand the understanding of perceived susceptibility and severity, which acted as two distinct dimensions of risk perception, and led to different behavioral outcomes.

scholarly journals What affected Chinese parents’ decisions about tuberculosis (TB) treatment: Implications based on a cross-sectional survey

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. e0245691
Author(s):  
Tingsong Xia ◽  
Juan Chen ◽  
Jian Rui ◽  
Jinxu Li ◽  
Yuli Guo
Keyword(s):  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Risk Perceptions ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Perceived Susceptibility ◽  
Perceived Severity ◽  
Response Efficacy ◽  
Tb Treatment ◽  
Chinese Parents

Objective Although progress has been made in tuberculosis (TB) treatment, China still remains one of the high-burden TB countries. One important reason that has not received sufficient scholarly attention is that Chinese individuals tend to underestimate the threat of TB. This contributed to the high rate of delay in seeking TB treatment and noncompliance with doctors’ regimen. Hence, this research examined how TB knowledge affected Chinese parents’ risk perceptions and their efficacy appraisal in TB treatment, and how their risk perception and efficacy appraisal affected their intentions to seek timely TB treatment for their children and adhere to doctors’ regimen. Methods We conducted an online cross-sectional survey with 1129 parents of children attending kindergarten, primary school, and middle school in Shajing, a region with high TB incidence in China. Perceived severity of TB threat to self and to others, perceived susceptibility, response efficacy, and self-efficacy were measured, in addition to TB knowledge and intentions to seek timely TB treatment and adhere to doctors’ regimens. Results Ordinal least squares regression demonstrated that TB knowledge was positively associated with perceived severity of TB threat to self, perceived severity of TB threat to others, perceived susceptibility, response efficacy, and self-efficacy, but it did not affect their medical decisions. In addition, binary logistic regression revealed that response efficacy and self-efficacy predicted both intentions positively, and perceived severity of TB threat to self only enhanced Chinese individuals’ intention to follow doctors’ regimens. Conclusion Health education aimed at knowledge improvement may be effective in changing one’s perceptions of the given health threat but may not be effective to change their behavior. Thus, practitioners need to focus on changing Chinese parents’ perceptions of TB rather than simply improving their knowledge. Specifically, it is necessary to lower their efficacy in self-management and enhance their perceived infectiousness of TB.

scholarly journals The Importance of Teaching Assistant Support and Interactions in Student Engagement

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Denise Wilson ◽  
joanna wright ◽  
Lauren Summers
Keyword(s):  
Student Engagement ◽  
Linear Regression ◽  
Survey Data ◽  
Regression Models ◽  
Teaching Assistant ◽  
Public Institution ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Student Interactions ◽  
Cross Sectional

Hierarchical linear regression models using cross-sectional survey data from over 750 students at a single large public institution were used to assess relationships between TA support, TA-student interactions, and three forms of student behavioral engagement. <br>

scholarly journals How Information Sources, Risk Perception, and Efficacy Appraisal Predicted Engagement in Protective Behaviors Against COVID-19: A Repeated Cross-Sectional Survey in China (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jian Raymond Rui ◽  
Keqing Yang ◽  
Juan Chen
Keyword(s):  
Risk Perception ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Protective Behaviors ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Perceived Susceptibility ◽  
Perceived Severity ◽  
Response Efficacy ◽  
Protective Actions ◽  
Expert Sources

BACKGROUND As the COVID-19 pandemic has become a major public health threat worldwide, it is critical to understand what factors affect individual engagement in protective actions. Because of its authoritarian political system and state-owned media system, how Chinese individuals engaged in protective actions against COVID-19 might be different compared to other countries. OBJECTIVE The purpose of the present study is to examine how the source of information about COVID-19, Chinese individuals’ risk perception of COVID-19 (i.e., perceived severity and perceived susceptibility), and their efficacy appraisal in controlling COVID-19 (i.e., response efficacy and self-efficacy) affected their engagement in protective actions. Additionally, this study aims to investigate whether there is any difference in these relationships throughout the duration of this pandemic. METHODS A six-wave repeated cross-sectional survey (N = 1942) was conducted in six major cities in China between February 7 and April 23, 2020. Participants’ reliance on expert versus inexpert sources for information about COVID-19, their perceived severity of and susceptibility to COVID-19, their response efficacy and self-efficacy, and their engagement in protective actions (staying at home, wearing a facemask, and washing hands) were measured. Demographic variables (sex, age, income, education, and city of residence), knowledge of COVID-19, and self-rated health condition were controlled. RESULTS Reliance on expert sources did not become the major factor that motivated these actions until wave 3, and the negative effect of inexpert sources on these actions was limited to wave 2. Perceived severity encouraged some protective behaviors but its effect varied depending on the specific behavior. In addition, perceived severity exhibited a stronger effect on these behaviors compared to perceived susceptibility. The positive effect of response efficacy was only significant at waves 1 and 2 and limited to certain behaviors. CONCLUSIONS Chinese individuals’ engagement in protective behaviors might not entirely be their autonomous decision but a result of compliance with executive orders. After the early outbreak, expert sources started to facilitate protective behaviors, suggesting that it might take time to develop trust in these sources. The facilitating effect of perceived severity lasted throughout the duration of the pandemic, but that of response efficacy was limited to the early stage. CLINICALTRIAL

scholarly journals Age Differences in COVID-19 Preventive Behavior

2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 359-372
Author(s):  
Lars Korn ◽  
Regina Siegers ◽  
Sarah Eitze ◽  
Philipp Sprengholz ◽  
Frederike Taubert ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Age Differences ◽  
Risk Perceptions ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Federal State ◽  
Preventive Behaviors ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Psychological Variables ◽  
Psychological Determinants ◽  
Trust In Institutions

Abstract. Age is a critical risk factor for severe COVID-19. This is mirrored by older people showing preventive health behaviors more frequently. However, collective action across all age groups is necessary to reduce transmission. Therefore, this study assessed whether age differences are moderated by policy changes and whether policies further moderate the relationship between psychological determinants of behavior (risk perceptions and trust), age, and preventive behaviors. Risk perceptions, trust in institutions, self-reported frequency of preventive behaviors (mask-wearing, avoiding social gatherings), and demographics (e.g., age) were collected within the COVID-19 Snapshot Monitoring (COSMO), a German serial cross-sectional survey. A total of 19,069 participants across 20 measurement points were included (online sample, quota-representative for Age × Gender and federal state in Germany; mid-April to the end of November 2020). Regression analyses showed that age differences in avoiding social gatherings and mask-wearing remained stable under different health policies but were further moderated by psychological variables. The introduction of stricter policies alone was not related to higher adoption rates of preventive behaviors, but it mitigated the effects of age and risk perceptions. Moreover, under mandatory policies, the correlation between trust in institutions and behaviors was amplified. The present research made a strong case for quality, targeted health, and risk communication. Without mandatory policies, the importance of preventive behaviors must be well understood to achieve high adherence – especially in young people who are threatened by the disease less directly.

scholarly journals Who is afraid of ticks and tick-borne diseases? Results from a cross-sectional survey in Scandinavia

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Slunge ◽  
Solveig Jore ◽  
Karen Angeliki Krogfelt ◽  
Martin Tugwell Jepsen ◽  
Anders Boman
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Perceived Risk ◽  
Risk Perceptions ◽  
Tick Bite ◽  
Tick Bites ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Actual Risk ◽  
Perceived Seriousness

Abstract Background In Scandinavia, the distribution of ticks is expanding and tick-borne diseases constitute growing health risks. While the probability of getting a tick-borne disease after a tick bite is low, the health impacts can be large. This, as well as other characteristics of these diseases make tick-related risks difficult for laypeople to assess and perceived risk may differ substantially from actual risk. Understanding risk perceptions is important since it is the perceived risk, rather than actual risk, that determine behaviour and even more so for new and emerging risks. The aim of this study is to investigate knowledge and risk perceptions related to tick bites and the tick-borne diseases Lyme borreliosis (LB) and tick-borne encephalitis (TBE). By analysing risk perceptions and knowledge, the study helps inform the development of public health strategies in response to the increasing incidence of these diseases in Scandinavia. Methods Two thousand, six hundred sixty-eight respondents in Denmark, Norway and Sweden answered an online questionnaire with 48 questions, including 7 questions on risk perceptions and 9 knowledge questions. Chi-squared tests were used to analyse statistical differences between country sub-samples, gender and age groups. A multivariate regression model was used to analyse factors associated with risk perceptions. Results Risk perceptions were on average high in comparison with scientific estimates, with respondents grossly overrating the probability of contracting LB or TBE if bitten by a tick. Also, the average perceived seriousness of a single tick bite and of getting LB or TBE was high. Knowledge on the other hand was low, especially among men and the youngest age group (18–29 years). Higher levels of knowledge about tick-borne diseases were associated with lower perceived seriousness of tick bites and LB and higher perceived seriousness of TBE. Also, having been diagnosed with LB was negatively associated with the perceived seriousness of LB. Conclusions Our results indicate that informing about ticks and tick-borne diseases would be a relevant public health strategy as it could make risk perceptions better aligned with actual risk. Should the TBE virus spread further in Denmark and Norway, increasing knowledge about TBE vaccination would be especially important.

scholarly journals “Public Health Behaviors during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Greece and Associated Factors: A Nationwide Cross-sectional Survey”

2021 ◽  
Vol 58 ◽  
pp. 004695802110229
Author(s):  
Kyriakos Souliotis ◽  
Theodoros V. Giannouchos ◽  
Lily E. Peppou ◽  
Myrto T. Samara ◽  
John Nimatoudis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Community Outreach ◽  
Female Gender ◽  
Preventive Behaviors ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
Health Related

The objective of this cross-sectional survey was to estimate the association between multiple socioeconomic, and health-related characteristics, COVID-19 related attitudes and adoption of public health preventive behaviors. A national cross-sectional survey among 1205 adults was conducted in April 2020 in Greece. Multivariable ordered logistic regression models were used to estimate the association between COVID-19 related attitudes and knowledge and adoption of preventive behaviors, controlling for socioeconomic and health-related characteristics. A total of 923 individuals fully completed the survey. Individuals who believed that the virus is out of control, is transmitted through the air, and is not similar to the common flu were more likely to adopt public health preventive behaviors more frequently, particularly wearing masks in public spaces, washing their hands, and spending fewer hours out of their homes. Uncertainty about the virus symptomatology was associated with less frequent mask-wearing and handwashing. Increased social support, frequent media use for COVID-19 updates, trust to authorities, older age, worse health status, female gender and being a healthcare professional were also associated with uptake of some preventive health behaviors. Attitudinal and socioeconomic determinants critically affect public engagement in preventive behaviors. Health policy initiatives should focus on community outreach approaches to raise awareness and to strengthen social support mechanisms by integrating multiple stakeholders.

Determinants of adherence to public health and social measures (PHSM) against COVID-19 among the general population in South Korea: A national survey (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hyechong Hong ◽  
Hyeonkyeong Lee ◽  
Sukjeong Lee ◽  
Chang Gi Park ◽  
Mikyung Lee
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Infectious Disease ◽  
General Population ◽  
Policy Development ◽  
Cognitive Factors ◽  
Primary Study ◽  
Tobit Regression ◽  
Preventive Behaviors ◽  
Perceived Susceptibility ◽  
Perceived Severity

BACKGROUND Public health efforts to reduce the spread of COVID-19 are the priority of national policy to respond to it globally. The public health and social measures (PHSM) are shown to be effective when used alone or in combination with other measures, reducing the risk of spreading COVID-19. However, there is insufficient evidence on the status of compliance of PHSM in the general population for the prevention of COVID-19 in public areas, including Korea. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to assess the level of compliance with the recommended PHSM against COVID-19 infection and its predictors among the general population using national data. METHODS This study is a secondary data analysis using an Infectious Disease Prevention Behaviors in Community Survey conducted by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) between October 12 and October 30, 2020. The primary study was cross-sectional, using stratified sampling with an adjusted proportional allocation method to select representative samples and secure the stability of samples. The data were collected through a phone interview conducted by trained enumerators using a structured questionnaire. The PHSM was measured using a 10-item Comprehensive Infectious Disease Preventive Behavior(CIDPB) scale and each of the socio-cognitive factors, such as perceived susceptibility to COVID-19 infection, perceived severity of COVID-19 infection, perceived confidence in performing preventive behaviors related to COVID-19, information comprehensive ability, and trust in information from the KDCA, were measured by a single question. A total of 4,003 cases were included in the final analysis. A Tobit regression and decision tree were performed to identify the predictors of preventive measures and the targeted group for intervention. RESULTS We discovered that females had a 1.34 point higher CIDPB score than males (P<.001). The participants who were aged between 50 and 59 years performed 1.89 points higher on the CIDPB (P<.001) and the participants who were older than 60 years performed 2.48 points higher on the CIDPB (P<.001) than those who were aged between 19 and 29 years. The perceived severity of infection, confidence in preventive behaviors, information comprehensive ability, and trust in information from the KDCA were statistically significant and positive (P<.001). The perceived susceptibility to infection was statistically significant and negative (P<.001). CONCLUSIONS Being female, older in age, having a lower income, and socio-cognitive factors were significant predictors for performing PHSM. These findings suggest a need for targeted intervention for these specific groups. Adequate government action and policy development are needed to increase the level of health literacy and trust in the healthcare system.

scholarly journals Hand Hygiene and Mask-Wearing Practices during COVID-19 among Healthcare Workers: Misinformation as a Predictor

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Senhu Wang ◽  
Lambert Zixin Li ◽  
Natasha van Antwerpen ◽  
Sutrisno Suparman ◽  
Mergy Gayatri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Hand Hygiene ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Regression Models ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
Public Health Information ◽  
Health Related

Poor public health information is a hurdle in infectious disease control. The study aims to examine whether healthcare workers adhere to hand hygiene and mask-wearing guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic and to explore their exposure to misinformation about the pandemic as a predictor. A cross-sectional survey was sent to 518 healthcare workers across Indonesia, the fourth largest nation in the world, in September 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. The respondents reported whether they adhered to the guidelines of hand hygiene and mask wearing and whether they believed in four pieces of misinformation about the origin, severity, contagion, and prevention of COVID-19. The association between misinformation and hand hygiene and mask wearing was tested with logistic regression models controlling for demographic and health-related covariates. Approximately 25% of healthcare workers did not always adhere to hand hygiene guidelines and approximately 5% did not adhere to mask-wearing guidelines. There are significant associations between all four pieces of misinformation and hand hygiene and mask wearing. It is important to improve public health information about COVID-19, which may hold key to healthcare workers’ hand hygiene and mask wearing and to protect their health and patients’ safety.

scholarly journals The Importance of Teaching Assistant Support and Interactions in Student Engagement

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Denise Wilson ◽  
joanna wright ◽  
Lauren Summers
Keyword(s):  
Student Engagement ◽  
Linear Regression ◽  
Survey Data ◽  
Regression Models ◽  
Teaching Assistant ◽  
Public Institution ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Student Interactions ◽  
Cross Sectional

Hierarchical linear regression models using cross-sectional survey data from over 750 students at a single large public institution were used to assess relationships between TA support, TA-student interactions, and three forms of student behavioral engagement. <br>

scholarly journals Public Health Workforce Burnout in the COVID-19 Response in the U.S.

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (8) ◽  
pp. 4369
Author(s):  
Kahler W. Stone ◽  
Kristina W. Kintziger ◽  
Meredith A. Jagger ◽  
Jennifer A. Horney
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Workforce ◽  
Work Experience ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Public Health Workforce ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Public Health Response ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The U.S

While the health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on frontline health care workers have been well described, the effects of the COVID-19 response on the U.S. public health workforce, which has been impacted by the prolonged public health response to the pandemic, has not been adequately characterized. A cross-sectional survey of public health professionals was conducted to assess mental and physical health, risk and protective factors for burnout, and short- and long-term career decisions during the pandemic response. The survey was completed online using the Qualtrics survey platform. Descriptive statistics and prevalence ratios (95% confidence intervals) were calculated. Among responses received from 23 August and 11 September 2020, 66.2% of public health workers reported burnout. Those with more work experience (1–4 vs. <1 years: prevalence ratio (PR) = 1.90, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.08−3.36; 5–9 vs. <1 years: PR = 1.89, CI = 1.07−3.34) or working in academic settings (vs. practice: PR = 1.31, CI = 1.08–1.58) were most likely to report burnout. As of September 2020, 23.6% fewer respondents planned to remain in the U.S. public health workforce for three or more years compared to their retrospectively reported January 2020 plans. A large-scale public health emergency response places unsustainable burdens on an already underfunded and understaffed public health workforce. Pandemic-related burnout threatens the U.S. public health workforce’s future when many challenges related to the ongoing COVID-19 response remain unaddressed.

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