The effectiveness of Non-pharmaceutical interventions in reducing the COVID-19 contagion in the UK, an observational and modelling study

Epidemiological models used to inform government policies aimed to reduce the contagion of COVID-19, assume that the reproduction number is reduced through Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions (NPIs) leading to physical distancing. Available data in the UK show an increase in physical distancing before the NPIs were implemented and a fall soon after implementation. We aimed to estimate the effect of people’s behaviour on the epidemic curve and the effect of NPIs taking into account this behavioural component. We have estimated the effects of confirmed daily cases on physical distancing and we used this insight to design a behavioural SEIR model (BeSEIR), simulated different scenaria regarding NPIs and compared the results to the standard SEIR. Taking into account behavioural insights improves the description of the contagion dynamics of the epidemic significantly. The BeSEIR predictions regarding the number of infections without NPIs were several orders of magnitude less than the SEIR. However, the BeSEIR prediction showed that early measures would still have an important influence in the reduction of infections. The BeSEIR model shows that even with no intervention the percentage of the cumulative infections within a year will not be enough for the epidemic to resolve due to a herd immunity effect. On the other hand, a standard SEIR model significantly overestimates the effectiveness of measures. Without taking into account the behavioural component, the epidemic is predicted to be resolved much sooner than when taking it into account and the effectiveness of measures are significantly overestimated.

Does capability, opportunity, and motivation predict intentions to repeat self-isolation if required? An analysis of a national telephone survey with contacts of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Wales.

ObjectiveSelf-isolation is a key strategy to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases. This study examined whether capability, opportunity, and motivation significantly predicted intentions to self-isolate again amongst COVID-19 contacts. DesignA cross-sectional survey was completed with 1,011 participants of the Contact Adherence Behavioural Insights Survey (CABINS), a larger within-subjects study. CABINS was a 15-minute telephone survey conducted with contacts of cases of COVID-19, identified through the national NHS Wales Test Trace Protect database between 12th September and 22nd October, 2020. Main Outcome MeasuresDeterminants of intention to self-isolate were derived from the British Psychological Society’s guidance on self-isolation and the COM-B model. Measures included intention to self-isolate again if required, and items related to psychological capability, physical and social opportunity, and reflective and automatic motivation.ResultsResults of a binary logistic regression indicated three significant predictors of self-isolate intent: (1) knowledge and understanding about self-isolation; (2) making plans to prepare for self-isolation; and (3) beliefs about the effectiveness of self-isolation. ConclusionThis study suggests that an increase in aspects of psychological capability and reflective motivation are associated with increases in self-isolation intent. Future pandemics or outbreaks of disease should target these factors prior to individuals self-isolating.

Das AEIOU-Modell: Gesundheitsverhalten mit Erkenntnissen der Verhaltenswissenschaften effektiv in der Praxis steuern

Zusammenfassung Ziel der Arbeit Der Einsatz von Verhaltenswissenschaften (engl. ‚Behavioural Insights (BI)̒) erhält zunehmend Aufmerksamkeit in der deutschen Gesundheitslandschaft. Englischsprachige Modelle geben Hilfestellung in der Anwendung von Erkenntnissen der Verhaltenswissenschaften. Allerdings gibt es bisher noch kein Modell, welches (1) spezifisch für den Gesundheitsbereich geeignet ist und (2) auf deutscher Sprache aufbaut. Ziel war deshalb die Entwicklung eines umfassenden deutschsprachigen verhaltenswissenschaftlich basierten Modells für Maßnahmen zur Änderung des Gesundheitsverhaltens. Methodik Die Entwicklungsbasis bilden die beiden Modelle MINDSPACE und EAST, sowie eigene Praxiserfahrungen der Autor*innen. Ergebnisse Das entwickelte AEIOU-Modell besteht aus fünf Kategorien mit insgesamt 20 Instrumenten. Die Kategorien umfassen (1) Ansprache, (2) Einfachheit, (3) Incentivierung, (4) Orientierung sowie (5) Unmittelbarkeit. Schlussfolgerung Das AEIOU-Modell bildet die Grundlage für die erste deutschsprachige Zusammenstellung von möglichen verhaltenswissenschaftlich basierten Anwendungen bei der Entwicklung von Interventionen im Gesundheitsbereich. Das Modell soll nun in der Praxis erprobt und auf seinen Nutzen getestet werden.

Mechanisms Underlying Motivational Dysfunction in Schizophrenia

Negative symptoms are a debilitating feature of schizophrenia which are often resistant to pharmacological intervention. The mechanisms underlying them remain poorly understood, and diagnostic methods rely on phenotyping through validated questionnaires. Deeper endo-phenotyping is likely to be necessary in order to improve current understanding. In the last decade, valuable behavioural insights have been gained through the use of effort-based decision making (EBDM) tasks. These have highlighted impairments in reward-related processing in schizophrenia, particularly associated with negative symptom severity. Neuroimaging investigations have related these changes to dysfunction within specific brain networks including the ventral striatum (VS) and frontal brain regions. Here, we review the behavioural and neural evidence associated with negative symptoms, shedding light on potential underlying mechanisms and future therapeutic possibilities. Findings in the literature suggest that schizophrenia is characterised by impaired reward based learning and action selection, despite preserved hedonic responses. Associations between amotivation and reward-processing deficits have not always been clear, and may be mediated by factors including cognitive dysfunction or dysfunctional or self-defeatist beliefs. Successful endo-phenotyping of negative symptoms as a function of objective behavioural and neural measurements is crucial in advancing our understanding of this complex syndrome. Additionally, transdiagnostic research–leveraging findings from other brain disorders, including neurological ones–can shed valuable light on the possible common origins of motivation disorders across diseases and has important implications for future treatment development.

Behavioural insights (BI) for childhood development and effective public policies in Latin America: a survey and a randomised controlled trial

ObjectivesWe developed (a) a survey to investigate the knowledge of childhood health experts on public policies and behavioural insights (BI), as well as its use in Latin American and the Caribbean countries (LACs), and (b) an intervention (randomised controlled trial) to test the influence of nudges on the effect of a simulated public health programme communication.Participants and settingsA total of 2003 LACs childhood health professionals participated in the study through a Hispanic online platform.Primary and secondary outcomesWe used regression models analysing expertise-related information, individual differences and location. We extracted several outcome variables related to (a) ‘Public Policy Knowledge Index’ based on the participants’ degree of knowledge on childhood health public policies and (b) BI knowledge, perceived effectiveness and usefulness of a simulated public programme communication. We also analysed a ‘Behavioural Insights Knowledge Index’ (BIKI) based on participants’ performance in BI questions.ResultsIn general, health professionals showed low BI knowledge (knowledge of the term BI: χ2=210.29, df=1 and p<0.001; BIKI: χ2=160.5, df=1 and p<0.001), and results were modulated by different factors (age, academic formation, public policy knowledge and location). The use of BI principles for the communication of the public programme revealed higher impact and clarity ratings from professionals than control messages.ConclusionsOur findings provide relevant knowledge about BI in health professionals to inform governmental and non-governmental organisations’ decision-making processes related with childhood public policies and BI designs.

Using Behavioural Insights to Improve the Uptake of Services for Drug and Alcohol Misuse

In the U.K., 270,705 adults were in contact with drug and alcohol treatment services between April 2019 and March 2020. Within the same time period, 118,995 individuals exited the treatment system, and just over a third (36%) left treatment without completing it. The latter includes individuals declining further treatment and unsuccessful transfers between services. The aim of this study was to explore the factors that affect drug and alcohol treatment uptake within a drug and alcohol service in North East England. A mixed-methods approach was adopted. The exploration of factors affecting treatment uptake was captured through a behavioural insights survey and 1:1 in-depth qualitative interviews with service users within one council area within the North East of England. There were 53 survey participants, and a further 15 participants took part in qualitative interviews. We triangulated data sources to report consistencies and discrepancies in the data. Findings show that treatment services aiming to reduce missed appointments and increase retention rates need to implement several strategies. Consistently distributing appointment cards, using text message reminders, displaying a timetable presenting all treatment options, and displaying information in a format to ensure it is accessible to individuals with lower health literacy and reducing wait times for appointments will all improve appointment attendance.

‘NUDGE’ - TO STAY RELEVANT

What you want to say and what they are interested in? The answer creates a seamless partnership between Knowledge Worker and the Organisation to achieve sustained growth in a disruptive changing business landscape. To drive the answer to the above question i.e. ‘RELEVANCY’ both for the organisation as well as Knowledge Worker in the industry ecosystem the power of behavioural insights and neuroscience’s Happy-Hormone is leverage in this research article. We act as a choice-architect and worked on automated system-intuitive thinking. The tone of this article is prescriptive and the ‘Nudges’are provided as a treatment for the diagnosed issues of the Organisation, the subject-matter of the present study. The effectiveness of prescribed Nudgestested on treatment and control groupby deploying experiment method and results evidenceda significant effect on the treatment group. In this study, ourlearning reflections:‘Pre-commitment is an impactful tool’; ‘Peer support matters’; ‘Craving need to be instigated, to get reminder work’.

University of Cambridge Library / Cultural Additivity

Cultural additivity: behavioural insights from the interaction of Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism in folktalesVuong, Quan-Hoang ; Bui, Quang-Khiem ; La, Viet-Phuong ; Vuong, Thu-Trang ; Nguyen, Viet-Ha T ; Ho, Manh-Toan ; Nguyen, Hong-Kong T ; Ho, Manh-TungLondon: Palgrave MacmillanPalgrave Communications, 2018-12, Vol.4 (1); https://idiscover.lib.cam.ac.uk/permalink/f/1kas1sp/TN_cdi_proquest_journals_2272763955

University of California, Berkeley Library / Cultural Additivity

Cultural additivity: behavioural insights from the interaction of Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism in folktalesAuthors: Quan-Hoang Vuong Quang-Khiem Bui Viet-Phuong La Thu-Trang Vuong Viet-Ha T. Nguyen Manh-Toan Ho Hong-Kong T. Nguyen Manh-Tung HoSource: Palgrave Communications, Vol 4, Iss 1, Pp 1-15 (2018)Publisher Information: Palgrave Macmillan, 2018.Publication Year: 2018Collection: LCC:Social SciencesSubject Terms: Social Sciences; https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&amp;db=edsdoj&amp;AN=edsdoj.f99f4cbb7624f8199da5afa56b4641e&amp;site=eds-live&amp;authtype=ip,guest&amp;custid=s1226370&amp;groupid=main&amp;profile=eds