scholarly journals Understanding health behavior changes in response to outbreaks: findings from a longitudinal study of a large epidemic of mosquito-borne disease.

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jocelyn Raude ◽  
Kathleen McColl ◽  
Claude Flamand ◽  
Themis Apostolidis
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Perceived Risk ◽  
Risk Perceptions ◽  
Health Behaviours ◽  
Preventive Action ◽  
Health Authorities ◽  
Preventive Actions ◽  
Social Visibility ◽  
Regional Health Authorities ◽  
Protective Behaviours

Rationale. Although greater attention has been recently given to the ecological determinants of health behaviours, we still do not know much about the behavioural changes induced by the spread of infectious diseases. Objective. In this study, we took advantage of a large epidemic of chikungunya, an emerging mosquito-borne disease, in French Guiana to examine the dynamic interaction between risk-related perceptions and behaviours that occurs in response to a disease outbreak. In particular, we tested empirically the assumption that both risk perceptions and health behaviours were elastic with respect to prevalence of chikungunya. Methods. A representative sample of French Guianan (N=434) was interviewed in January 2015 just after the peak of the epidemic, and again 2 months later. Participants were asked about their perceptions of the threat, as well as their engagement in a range of protective behaviours promoted by the regional health authorities to control the spread of the disease. Results. The surveys showed that (1) the frequency of some health behaviours – those related to visible control methods – significantly increased with the subjective and objective prevalence of the disease, (2) perceived risk of infection for oneself tended to decrease considerably over time, and (3) the risk reappraisal hypothesis failed to account for this paradoxical trend in the people’s response to the risk of contracting the disease. Conclusion. These findings suggest that people may fail to adjust their risk perceptions, and to a lesser extent their health protective behaviours, to the course of an epidemic. Notably, the prevalence elasticity of preventive action found in previous studies of behavioural response to infectious diseases differed substantially according to the type of intervention (personal versus environmental methods). This paradoxical trend may be attributed to risk habituation effects, which seem to vary significantly according to the social visibility of the preventive actions.

scholarly journals COVID-19: the relationship between perceptions of risk and behaviours during lockdown

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Douglas Brown ◽  
Lynne Coventry ◽  
Gillian V Pepper
Keyword(s):  
Mortality Risk ◽  
Perceived Risk ◽  
Risk Perceptions ◽  
Health Behaviours ◽  
Unintended Consequences ◽  
Perceptions Of Risk ◽  
Extrinsic Mortality ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Threat To Life

Background Understanding COVID-19 risk perceptions and their impact on behaviour can improve the effectiveness of public health strategies in the future. Prior evidence suggests that, when people perceive uncontrollable risks to their health, they are less likely to make efforts to protect their health in those ways which they can control (e.g. through diet, exercise, and limiting alcohol intake). It is therefore important to understand the extent to which the threat of COVID-19 is perceived to be an uncontrollable risk, and to assess whether this perceived risk is associated with differences in health behaviour. MethodsWe surveyed a nationally representative sample of 496 participants, shortly after the peak of the pandemic in the UK. We collected data to assess people’s perceptions of COVID-19-related risk, and how these perceptions were associated with behaviours. We examined self-reported adherence to behaviours recommended by the UK Government and National Health Service to prevent the spread of the virus, as well as more general health behaviours. We predicted that increased perceived extrinsic mortality risk (the portion of a person’s mortality risk which they perceive to be uncontrollable) would disincentivise healthy behaviour. ResultsPerceived threat to life was found to be the most consistent predictor of reported adherence to measures designed to prevent the spread of infection. Perceived extrinsic mortality risk was found to have increased due to the pandemic, and was also associated with lower reported adherence to Government advice on diet and physical activity, as well as smoking. ConclusionsOur findings suggest that promoting a message that highlights threat to life may be effective in raising levels of adherence to measures of infection control, but may also have unintended consequences, leading to a reduction in health-promoting behaviours. We suggest that messages that highlight threat to life should be accompanied by statements of efficacy, and that messages evoking feelings of concern for others may also be effective in promoting compliance with anti-infection measures.

Opportunities for achieving the sustainable development goals through assessing health in environmental assessments

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
J Nowacki ◽  
O Mekel ◽  
P Martin-Olmedo ◽  
B Cave
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Environmental Risks ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Preventive Action ◽  
2030 Agenda ◽  
Health Authorities ◽  
Preventive Actions ◽  
European Investment

Abstract The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development calls for tackling environmental risks at their root, that is, through a shift towards primary preventive actions and the promotion of healthy choices. Reducing the 13 million deaths resulting from environmental risks each year requires efficient scale-up of primary preventive action involving all key stakeholders, across all sectors. Decisions taken on the drivers of health risks should have the attainment and protection of good health as an explicit aim in key sectors such as energy, transport, housing, labour, industry, food systems and agriculture, water and sanitation, and urban planning. A key tool for such actions can be seen in Health Impact Assessments (HIAs) and an enhanced integration of health assessments into environmental impact assessments (EIA). In many countries worldwide, legally binding instruments exist which are concerned with assessing the impacts of policies, programmes, plans and projects on the environment to contributes to a high level of protection of the environment and human health. Within the European Union (EU) the EIA Directive 2014/52/EU names human health among the topics to be addressed when conducting an EIA. The amended EIA Directive also includes issues that are relevant to human health, for example, climate change and vulnerability (exposure and resilience) to major accidents and/or disasters. These amendments are relevant also beyond EU borders through, for example, the policies of the European Investment Bank. A paper recently developed by IAIA and EUPHA provides insights to the EIA Directive to raise awareness among health authorities and public health professionals on the potential for primary preventive actions and promotion of healthy choices outside the health sector. Key messages will be presented and further discussed with the audience on how achieving the 2030 Agenda can be supported through impact assessments and the enhanced involvement of health authorities.

scholarly journals COVID-19 risk perceptions and their associations with related media consumption and personal experiences

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Douglas Brown ◽  
Lynne Coventry ◽  
Gillian V Pepper
Keyword(s):  
Information Seeking ◽  
Perceived Risk ◽  
Risk Perceptions ◽  
Health Behaviours ◽  
Occupational Class ◽  
Demographic Differences ◽  
Extensive Experience ◽  
Related Risk ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
The Uk

Background The impacts of COVID-19 are not evenly distributed in society. Understanding the differences in the experiences and perceptions of COVID-19 related risk may help to improve the effectiveness of public health strategies in the future. MethodWe surveyed a nationally representative sample of 496 participants during the strictest period of the UK lockdown. We recorded data to assess people’s experiences during the pandemic, information seeking behaviours, and perceptions of COVID-19 related risk. ResultsWe found that key workers reported greater exposure to COVID-19 and more extensive experience of the virus within their social circles. Those key workers who perceived their personal protective equipment to be more effective felt that the virus was less of a threat to their lives. Trust in COVID-19 information was highest in information from the UK Government and NHS, and lowest in information from social media. We also found that men reported lower levels of perceived threat to life from the virus than women and lower occupational class was associated with higher levels of perceived risk amongst those in employment. ConclusionsOur findings highlight that demographic differences in actual risk from COVID-19 are not always accurately reflected by differences in perceived risk. Key workers who feel that they are insufficiently protected by their PPE experience increased levels of fear, which may lead to negative health behaviours. This highlights the need for employers to ensure that key workers feel they are adequately protected from COVID-19. Our findings highlight some of the inequalities in the distribution of risk across society and discuss demographic differences in perceptions of risk.

scholarly journals Perceived risk, anxiety and protective health behaviours during the early phase of coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tosin Philip Oyetunji ◽  
Oyelakin ◽  
Olusegun Ayomikun Ogunmola ◽  
Olorunyomi Felix Olorunsogbon ◽  
Foluso O. Ajayi
Keyword(s):  
Risk Perception ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Perceived Risk ◽  
Early Phase ◽  
Health Behaviours ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Protective Measure ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Protective Behaviour ◽  
Protective Behaviours

Abstract Background: Pandemics such as the current COVID-19 pandemic are often associated with heightened fears and significant adjustments in health behaviours. Aim: This study was aimed to assess perceived risk, anxiety and protective health behaviours of the general public during the early phase of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in NigeriaMethods: A cross-sectional study among 1197 respondents aged 18 years and above between April 27th to May 16th, 2020. Result: More than half (61.9%) of the respondents have high risk perception towards COVID-19. Using the seven-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) scale, high anxiety level was found in 37.2% of the study respondents. Male gender (OR=1.38,CI=1.09-1.74), being employed (OR=1.53,CI = 1.21- 1.95) and high risk perception (OR=1.33, CI = 1.05-1.69) were positively associated with observance of more than one protective measure against COVID-19. Having not more than 12 years of education (OR=0.51, CI=0.32-0.81) was negatively associated with observance of more than one protective behaviour. High risk perception (OR=1.82; CI=1.42-2.34), having not more than 12 years of education (OR=1.73; CI= 1.13-2.64), and being employed (OR =1.29; CI=1.01-1.64) were positively associated with anxiety. Being aged 25-34 years (OR=0.34; CI =0.12-0.94) and being aged 35-54 years (OR=0.30; CI=0.10-0.85) were found to be protective against developing COVID-19- related anxiety.Conclusions: This study showed that risk perception has influence on both anxiety and observance of protective behaviours. Being a novel experience, this research has implications to support current and future response to a pandemic experience.

scholarly journals COVID-19: the relationship between perceptions of risk and behaviours during lockdown

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Brown ◽  
Lynne Coventry ◽  
Gillian Pepper
Keyword(s):  
Infection Control ◽  
Mortality Risk ◽  
Perceived Risk ◽  
Risk Perceptions ◽  
Health Behaviours ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Extrinsic Mortality ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
Threat To Life ◽  
Healthy Behaviour

Abstract Aim Understanding COVID-19 risk perceptions and their impact on behaviour can improve the effectiveness of public health strategies. Prior evidence suggests that, when people perceive uncontrollable risks to their health, they are less likely to engage in healthful behaviour. This article aims to understand the extent to which COVID-19 is perceived as an uncontrollable risk, and to assess whether this perceived risk is associated with health behaviour. Subject and methods We surveyed a nationally representative sample of 496 participants during the first UK lockdown. We assessed perceptions of COVID-19-related risk, self-reported adherence to infection control measures recommended by the UK Government, and general health behaviours. We predicted that increased perceived extrinsic mortality risk (the portion of mortality risk perceived to be uncontrollable) would disincentivise healthy behaviour. Results Perceived threat to life was the most consistent predictor of reported adherence to infection control measures. Perceived extrinsic mortality risk was found to have increased due to the pandemic, and was associated with lower reported adherence to Government advice on diet, physical activity, and smoking. Conclusions Our findings suggest that health messages that highlight threat to life may be effective in increasing adherence to infection control, but may also lead to a reduction in health-promoting behaviours. We suggest that messages that highlight threat to life should be accompanied by statements of efficacy. Further, messages evoking feelings of concern for others may be effective in promoting compliance with anti-infection measures, without the potential for the unwelcome side-effect of discouraging healthy behaviour.

scholarly journals Conceptualizing and Measuring Risk Perceptions of Skin Cancer

2013 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 36-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vinayak K. Nahar ◽  
Michael A. Vice ◽  
M. Allison Ford
Keyword(s):  
Risk Perception ◽  
Skin Cancer ◽  
Perceived Risk ◽  
Risk Perceptions ◽  
Risk Measures ◽  
Absolute Risk ◽  
Preventive Actions ◽  
Perceived Seriousness ◽  
Comparative Risk ◽  
Negative Outcome

Background: Perceived risk is commonly conceived as a joint function of the perceived evaluations about the probability estimate of a negative outcome, and the perceived seriousness of the consequences of that negative outcome. Theories typically posit that once people perceive their vulnerability to health risks or outcomes, they form intentions to take preventive actions to reduce their risk. This theoretical proposition is not supported in skin cancer preventative behavior studies, which could be due to improper measurement of perceived risk. Purpose and Methods: The purpose of this manuscript was to assess how risk perception of skin cancer has been conceptualized and measured in the literature to date. Literature retrieval was facilitated through EBSCO, PubMed, PsycInfo, MEDLINE, and ERIC databases. Twenty potentially relevant articles were identified for this review. Results: In the literature, skin cancer risk has been operationalized in two ways: absolute risk and comparative risk. However, these measures have some serious limitations. For example, there is great uncertainty regarding the quality of risk perception measurements (i.e., whether the items used to measure perceived risk are reliable and valid). Future studies are warranted to better understand the significance of using conditional risk measures.

scholarly journals Concern and Risk Perception: Effects on Osteoprotective Behaviour

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. L. Barcenilla-Wong ◽  
J. S. Chen ◽  
L. M. March
Keyword(s):  
Risk Perception ◽  
Perceived Risk ◽  
Risk Perceptions ◽  
Vitamin D Supplementation ◽  
Medical Advice ◽  
Mineral Density ◽  
Bmd Testing ◽  
Future Education ◽  
Osteoporosis Risk ◽  
Protective Behaviours

This study aimed to determine the effect that level of concern for osteoporosis, as well as self-perceived risk of osteoporosis and fracture, has on supplementation use, seeking medical advice, bone mineral density (BMD) testing, and antiosteoporosis medication (AOM) use. Study subjects were 1,095 female Australian participants of the Global Longitudinal study of Osteoporosis in Women (GLOW) untreated for osteoporosis at baseline. Study outcomes from self-administered questionnaires included calcium and vitamin D supplementation, self-reported seeking of medical advice regarding osteoporosis, BMD testing, and AOM use in the last 12 months at the late assessment. Logistic regression was used in the analysis. Concern significantly increased the likelihood of seeking medical advice and, however, had no significant impact on screening or treatment. Heightened self-perceived risks of osteoporosis and fracture both significantly increased the likelihood of seeking medical advice and BMD testing while elevated self-perceived risk of fracture increased AOM use. Supplementation use was not significantly associated with concern levels and risk perception. Concern and risk perceptions to osteoporosis and fracture were significantly associated with certain bone-protective behaviours. However, the disconnect between perceived osteoporosis risk and AOM use illustrates the need to emphasize the connection between osteoporosis and fracture in future education programs.

scholarly journals Perceived risk of lock-in in the front-end phase of major transportation projects

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chantal C. Cantarelli ◽  
David Oglethorpe ◽  
Bert van Wee
Keyword(s):  
Perceived Risk ◽  
Risk Perceptions ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Project Proposal ◽  
Implementation Phase ◽  
Perceptions Of Risk ◽  
Transportation Projects ◽  
Front End ◽  
Mediating Factor ◽  
Lock In

AbstractLock-in is defined as the tendency to continue with an inefficient decision or project proposal. The front-end phase is critical to project success, yet most studies have focused on lock-in in the implementation phase. Moreover, little is known about the way in which decision-makers perceive the risk of lock-in. In this paper we identify determinants of lock-in in the front-end phase and we reveal decision-makers’ perceptions of risk of lock-in. Our findings show that risk attitudes towards lock-in vary with the level of risk aversion. However, this is not sufficiently acute to drive the level of regret needed to avoid lock-in. This implies that decision-makers do not accurately assess the risk of lock-in and as such their risk perceptions are a mediating factor in the formation of lock-in. Based on escalation of commitment, path dependency, and prospect theory, the main contribution lies in providing a more comprehensive understanding of lock-in in the front-end phase.

scholarly journals Recruitment into psychiatry

1996 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 177-177 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Storer
Keyword(s):  
Advisory Committee ◽  
Manpower Planning ◽  
Regional Health ◽  
Senior Registrar ◽  
Adequate Supply ◽  
Health Authorities ◽  
Joint Planning ◽  
Regional Health Authorities

The major problem of manpower planning in psychiatry has until fairly recently been one of securing enough posts in the training grades to place doctors wishing to train in psychiatry and to ensure an adequate supply of applicants for consultant posts. Numerous consultant vacancies and a ‘bottleneck’ between registrar and senior registrar grades was the frustrating combination largely consequent upon the failure of some regional health authorities to fund the posts which Joint Planning Advisory Committee (JPAC) had approved.

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