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1.
Vaccines (Basel) ; 11(8)2023 Aug 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37631906

ABSTRACT

Media exposure to health communication contents related to the COVID-19 pandemic alone is inadequate to measure the influence of media on individuals in adopting precautionary behaviors against COVID-19, such as vaccine uptake. Certain individuals may pay attention to and be influenced by communication content. However, literature has suggested other instrumental determinants in developing and adopting health precautionary measures, such as culture or religion, especially regarding vaccination. In times of crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, it is valuable to examine the interrelationships among psychological, sociocultural, and informational factors. This can provide valuable insights for policymakers in developing effective communication strategies. Drawing an analogy between the Media dependency theory (MDT) and the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) model, this study unravels the factors underpinning the COVID-19 vaccine uptake intention among Pakistanis. The study utilized a cross-sectional research design and employed a survey method to gather data from a sample of 993 participants. The findings obtained from the PLS-SEM analysis confirmed that individuals relied on both traditional and social media to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings show that individuals rely more on the informational content disseminated through conventional media channels. The findings also suggest that individuals from Asian countries, such as Pakistan, tend to be more inclined toward collectivism. The findings about the moderating role of religiosity suggest that religious beliefs significantly shape individuals' reliance on traditional media. Hence, this study has uniquely contributed to public health and media management by providing a strategy for managers to address disseminating misinformation related to religion and its impact on vaccination-related health issues. The study has theoretically confirmed the principles of media dependency theory. As a result, it is recommended that various information sources be utilized to cultivate resilience among individuals to manage health crises effectively.

2.
JMIR Form Res ; 7: e46230, 2023 May 22.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37213166

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: During the COVID-19 pandemic, media sources dedicated significant time and resources to improve knowledge of COVID-19 precautionary behaviors (eg, wearing a mask). Many older adults report using the television, radio, print newspapers, or web-based sources to get information on political news, yet little is known about whether consuming news in the early phase of the pandemic led to behavior change, particularly in older adults. OBJECTIVE: The goals of this study were to determine (1) whether dosage of news consumption on the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with COVID-19 precautionary behaviors; (2) whether being an ever-user of social media was associated with engagement in COVID-19 precautionary behaviors; and (3) among social media users, whether change in social media use during the early stages of the pandemic was associated with engagement in COVID-19 precautionary behaviors. METHODS: Data were obtained from a University of Florida-administered study conducted in May and June of 2020. Linear regression models were used to assess the association between traditional news and social media use on COVID-19 precautionary behaviors (eg, mask wearing, hand washing, and social distancing behaviors). Analyses were adjusted for demographic characteristics, including age, sex, marital status, and education level. RESULTS: In a sample of 1082 older adults (mean age 73, IQR 68-78 years; 615/1082, 56.8% female), reporting 0 and <1 hour per day of media consumption, relative to >3 hours per day, was associated with lower engagement in COVID-19 precautionary behaviors in models adjusted for demographic characteristics (ß=-2.00; P<.001 and ß=-.41; P=.01, respectively). In addition, increasing social media use (relative to unchanged use) was associated with engagement in more COVID-19 precautionary behaviors (ß=.70, P<.001). No associations were found between being an ever-user of social media and engaging in COVID-19 precautionary behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrated an association between higher media consumption and greater engagement in COVID-19 precautionary behaviors in older adults. These findings suggest that media can be effectively used as a public health tool for communication of prevention strategies and best practices during future health threats, even among populations who are historically less engaged in certain types of media.

3.
Int J Public Health ; 68: 1605585, 2023.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36776738

ABSTRACT

Objectives: Staying physically active is a cost-efficient strategy for disease prevention during a pandemic. The purposes of this study were to explore precautionary behaviors, psychological factors associated with physical activity and sedentary behavior, and impacts of active and sedentary lifestyles on the quality of life in the early stage of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak. Methods: Participants were community-dwelling adults aged over 20 years who had not been infected with COVID-19 and who lived in the United States. A study with a cross-sectional design was conducted between July and October 2020. Quantitative data were collected by a self-reported questionnaire. Results: In total, 467 valid responses were obtained. Participants who engaged in an active lifestyle had significantly higher scores on all domains of quality of life compared to those who engaged in an inactive lifestyle. Participants with a non-sedentary lifestyle had significantly higher scores of psychological and social domains of quality of life than those with a sedentary lifestyle. Conclusion: Engaging in an active lifestyle and avoiding a sedentary lifestyle are recommended when facing future, unpredictable pandemics similar to COVID-19.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Adult , Humans , COVID-19/epidemiology , Sedentary Behavior , Quality of Life , Cross-Sectional Studies , Exercise , Life Style , Disease Outbreaks
4.
PCN Rep ; 2(3): e141, 2023 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38867827

ABSTRACT

Aim: The spread of the novel coronavirus infection (coronavirus disease 2019 [COVID-19]) has caused behavioral changes and mental illness in patients and their attendants during its early phase. The present study aimed to examine the association between precautionary behaviors against COVID-19 and psychosocial factors in outpatients with pre-existing disease and their attendants. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional paper-based questionnaire survey in Chiba University Hospital on 1019 patients and 513 attendants, and a web-based questionnaire survey in Japan on 3981 individuals from the general population. We evaluated the participants' anxiety about COVID-19, depression, health anxiety, and precautionary behaviors. Results: Regarding knowledge and anxiety about COVID-19, the protective factors for the high precautionary behaviors group were knowledge of COVID-19 (odds ratio [OR] = 1.178, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.099-1.263), anxiety about the spread of COVID-19 (OR = 1.348, 95% CI: 1.243-1.461), and anxiety about infecting someone with COVID-19 (OR = 1.135, 95% CI: 1.039-0.239). Regarding psychosocial factors, the protective factors for the high precautionary behaviors group were patients (OR = 1.759, 95% CI: 1.056-2.929), their attendants (OR = 3.892, 95% CI: 1.416-10.700), health anxiety (OR = 2.005, 95% CI: 1.451-2.772), and nondepression states (OR = 1.368, 95% CI: 1.004-1.864). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that patients and their attendants may perform high precautionary behaviors. Health anxiety and nondepression states may be associated with high precautionary behaviors.

5.
Behav Sci (Basel) ; 12(11)2022 Nov 09.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36354414

ABSTRACT

Understanding emotion is critical, as it influences behavioral responses. In particular, anxiety is one of the most significant factors affecting individuals' behavior during a pandemic situation. However, the effect of coronavirus anxiety on exercise behaviors has not been extensively explored in the extant literature. Therefore, this study examined the relationships among coronavirus anxiety, stress, precautionary behavior, and exercise participation. A total of 307 responses were collected from individuals who experienced the full length of the circuit breaker in Singapore. Data were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). Results showed that coronavirus anxiety had positive effects on stress and precautionary behavior. In addition, precautionary behavior played a mediating role in the relationships among coronavirus anxiety, stress, and exercise participation. The findings of this study identify how COVID-19 affected exercise participation during that period and suggest strategies to promote exercise participation, which would benefit individuals and governments.

6.
J Public Health Afr ; 13(1): 1856, 2022 May 24.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35720805

ABSTRACT

Previous pandemics have had significant impact on psychological well-being of front-line health care workers. Issues such as fear of contracting the disease, high workload as a result of high numbers of infected cases, increased job stress and unavailability of personal protective equipment have been implicated in development of psychological distress in this subset of individuals. The aim of the present paper is to describe psychobehavioral responses of health care workers and potential predictors of emotional response at onset of COVID- 19 outbreak in Nigeria. Cross-sectional web-based survey and 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire (GAD-7) were administered anonymously to 444 respondents comprising various categories of frontline healthcare workers. Stepwise multiple linear regression was used to determine predictors of anxiety scores. Participants were mostly young adults (mean age 38 years), females (57%), living with a partner (78.2%) and medical doctors (56.8%). Restrictions in clinical activities and use of hand sanitizers were commonest precautionary behaviors. Commonest emotional responses were anger and despair (27.0% and 25.7%), respectively. About 42.8% had clinically significant anxiety symptoms with highest burden among nurses. Perception of likelihood of 2nd wave (p=0.03), self-preparedness (p=0.04), gender (p=0.01) and cadre (p=0.02) were significant predictors of emotional response of anxiety. Study findings highlighted diverse psychological reactions of health care workers with a large proportion screening positive for significant anxiety symptoms. This has implications for planning a comprehensive psychosocial response to COVID-19 pandemic and for future pandemics among frontline health care workers in lowresource settings.

7.
J Reg Sci ; 62(3): 732-756, 2022 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34908584

ABSTRACT

We study how the public changes their mobility and retail spending patterns as precautionary responses to the disclosed location of COVID-19 cases. To look into the underlying mechanisms, we investigate how such change varies spatially and whether there is any spatial spillover or substitution. We use the daily data of cell phone-based mobility and credit card transactions between February 10 and May 31 in both 2019 and 2020 in Seoul, South Korea, and employ the empirical approach analyzing the year-over-year percent change for the mobility and consumption outcomes. Results report that one additional COVID-19 case within the last 14 days decreased nonresident inflow and retail spending by 0.40 and 0.65 percentage points, respectively. Then, we also find evidence of spatial heterogeneity: the mobility and retail performances of neighborhoods with higher residential population density were more resilient to COVID-19 case information while neighborhoods with higher levels of land-use diversity and retail agglomeration experienced a greater localized demand shock. This heterogeneity is not negligible. For example, one additional COVID-19 case in neighborhoods in the bottom 20% for population density led to a decline of 1.2 percentage points in retail spending, while other neighborhoods experienced a less negative impact. Finally, we find a significant spatial spillover effect of disclosed COVID-19 information instead of spatial substitution. One additional COVID-19 case in geographically adjacent areas within the last 14 days reduced nonresident inflow and retail spending in the subject neighborhood by 0.06 and 0.09 percentage points, respectively.

8.
Z Gesundh Wiss ; 30(6): 1473-1484, 2022.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33432285

ABSTRACT

Aim: The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is present in Bangladesh, and various control measures have been taken to flatten the epidemic curve. Due to the current demographic distribution in Bangladesh, young adults comprise almost one-third of the total population of the country. Therefore, their precautionary behavior is very important to ensure the success of preventive policies. This exploratory study examined the differences in the adoption of precautionary behaviors among young adults, and estimated and compared the predictors of precautionary behavior adoption among young adults living in the capital city Dhaka and a nearby district, Tangail. Subject and methods: A total of 350 respondents from each district participated in the study. ANOVA and two-sample t-tests were utilized to detect differences in precautionary behavior across demographic groups of young adults, and quantile regression modeling was used to find the predictors of adopting precautionary behaviors and to compare these predictors between the two districts. Results: Individuals who had a postgraduate education and had good mental health tended to show better precautionary behaviors in Dhaka. Female respondents from Tangail who had no psychological distress took precautionary behaviors more often than their male counterparts. However, no significant differences in the adoption of precautionary behaviors to prevent COVID-19 among young adults were found between the two districts. Better self-control ability, higher education and good mental health emerged as factors that significantly shaped the precautionary behaviors of young adults in this study. Conclusion: Having better knowledge did not ensure better adoption of precautionary behaviors among the participants. In effect, the government's strong intervention to keep people maintaining social distance and a strict lockdown in severely affected areas are probable immediate solutions.

9.
Econ Anal Policy ; 72: 700-714, 2021 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34744260

ABSTRACT

Limiting the spread of contagious diseases can involve both government-managed and voluntary efforts. Governments have a number of policy options beyond direct intervention that can shape individuals' responses to a pandemic and its associated costs. During its first wave of COVID-19 cases, Singapore was among a few countries that attempted to adjust behavior through the announcement of detailed case information. Singapore's Ministry of Health maintained and shared precise, daily information detailing local travel behavior and residences of COVID-19 cases. We use this policy along with device-level cellphone data to quantify how local and national COVID-19 case announcements trigger differential behavioral changes. We find evidence that individuals are three times more responsive to outbreaks in granularly defined locales. Conditional on keeping infection rates at a manageable level, the results suggest economic value in this type of transparency by mitigating the scope of precautionary activity reductions.

10.
Pan Afr Med J ; 39: 135, 2021.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34527151

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a highly infectious disease caused by the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). Several public health and social protective measures that may prevent or slow down the transmission of COVID-19 were introduced. However, these measures are unfortunately being neglected or deliberately ignored by some individuals. METHODS: a cross sectional online based survey was conducted to identify possible factors influencing public willingness to adhere to precautionary measures and preventive guidelines against COVID-19 during the lockdown periods in Sudan. The questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic data of study participants, their health beliefs and willingness regarding adherence to precautionary measures against COVID-19 based on the constructs of the Health Belief Model. RESULTS: a total of 680 respondents completed and returned the online questionnaire. Significant predictors of the willingness to adhere to the precautionary measures against COVID-19 were gender (ß= 3.34, P<0.001), self-efficacy (ß= 0.476, P<0.001), perceived benefits (ß= 0.349, P<0.001) and perceived severity (ß= 0.113, P=0.005). These factors explained 43% of the variance in respondents' willingness to adhere to COVID-19 precautionary measures. Participants who were female, confident in their ability to adhere to the protective measures when available, believing in the benefits of the protective measures against COVID-19 and perceiving that the disease could have serious consequences were more likely to be willing to adhere to the protective measures. CONCLUSION: female respondents and respondents having higher self-efficacy, higher perceived benefits and higher perceived severity were more likely to be willing to adhere to the protective measures against COVID-19 in Sudan.


Subject(s)
COVID-19/prevention & control , Communicable Disease Control/methods , Health Behavior , Health Belief Model , Public Health , Adult , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Practice Guidelines as Topic , Self Efficacy , Sex Factors , Sudan , Surveys and Questionnaires , Young Adult
11.
J Risk Uncertain ; 62(1): 29-54, 2021 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34385760

ABSTRACT

As health care becomes increasingly personalized to the needs and values of individual patients, informational interventions that aim to inform and debias consumer decision-making are likely to become important tools. In a randomized controlled experiment, we explore the effects of providing participants with published fact boxes on the benefits and harms of common cancer screening procedures. Female participants were surveyed about breast cancer screening by mammography, while male participants were surveyed about prostate cancer screening by prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing. For these screening procedures, we expect consumers to have overly optimistic prior beliefs about the benefits and harms. We find that participants update their beliefs about the net benefits of screening modestly, but we observe little change in their stated preferences to seek screening. Participants who scored higher on a numeracy test updated their beliefs about screening benefits more in response to the fact boxes than did participants who scored lower on the numeracy test.

12.
Front Psychol ; 12: 588478, 2021.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34248728

ABSTRACT

The COVID-19 pandemic constitutes a novel threat and traditional and new media provide people with an abundance of information and misinformation on the topic. In the current study, we investigated who tends to trust what type of mis/information. The data were collected in Norway from a sample of 405 participants during the first wave of COVID-19 in April 2020. We focused on three kinds of belief: the belief that the threat is overrated (COVID-threat skepticism), the belief that the threat is underrated (COVID-threat belief) and belief in misinformation about COVID-19. We studied sociodemographic factors associated with these beliefs and the interplay between attitudes to COVID-19, media consumption and prevention behavior. All three types of belief were associated with distrust in information about COVID-19 provided by traditional media and distrust in the authorities' approach to the pandemic. COVID-threat skepticism was associated with male gender, reduced news consumption since the start of the pandemic and lower levels of precautionary measures. Belief that the COVID-19 threat is underrated was associated with younger age, left-wing political orientation, increased news consumption during the pandemic and increased precautionary behavior. Consistent with the assumptions of the theory of planned behavior, individual beliefs about the seriousness of the COVID-19 threat predicted the extent to which individual participants adopted precautionary health measures. Both COVID-threat skepticism and COVID-threat belief were associated with endorsement of misinformation on COVID-19. Participants who endorsed misinformation tended to: have lower levels of education; be male; show decreased news consumption; have high Internet use and high trust in information provided by social media. Additionally, they tended to endorse multiple misinformation stories simultaneously, even when they were mutually contradictory. The strongest predictor for low compliance with precautionary measures was endorsement of a belief that the COVID-19 threat is overrated which at the time of the data collection was held also by some experts and featured in traditional media. The findings stress the importance of consistency of communication in situations of a public health threat.

13.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34206907

ABSTRACT

The population's behavioral responses to containment and precautionary measures during the COVID-19 pandemic have played a fundamental role in controlling the contagion. A comparative analysis of precautionary behaviors in the region was carried out. A total of 1184 people from Mexico, Colombia, Chile, Cuba, and Guatemala participated through an online survey containing a questionnaire on sociodemographic factors, precautionary behaviors, information about COVID-19, concerns, maintenance of confinement, and medical symptoms associated with COVID-19. Cubans reported the highest scores for information about COVID-19. Colombians reported less frequent usage of precautionary measures (e.g., use of masks), but greater adherence to confinement recommendations in general, in contrast to the low levels of these behaviors in Guatemalans. Chileans reported greater pandemic-related concerns and the highest number of medical symptoms associated with COVID-19. These findings allow a partial characterization of the Latin American population's responses during the second and third phases of the COVID-19 pandemic and highlight the importance of designing and managing public health policies according to the circumstances of each population when facing pandemics.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Pandemics , Chile/epidemiology , Colombia , Guatemala/epidemiology , Humans , Latin America/epidemiology , Mexico , SARS-CoV-2
14.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33672885

ABSTRACT

The large-scale COVID-19 pandemic has not only resulted in the risk of death but also augmented the levels of depression in community-dwelling older adults. The present study aimed to investigate the characteristics of depression in Chinese older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic, to examine the association of individual precautionary behavior with older adults' depression levels, and to identify the moderating role of socioeconomic indicators in the aforementioned association. Five hundred and sixteen older adults were recruited from five cities of Hubei province in China. They were asked to complete an online questionnaire survey. Results showed that 30.8% of participants indicated a significant depressive symptom during the pandemic. Older adults' depression levels differed significantly in marital status, living situation, education level, household income, subjective health status, and infected cases of acquaintances. Precautionary behavior change showed significant inverse associations with older adults' depression levels, where household income moderated this relationship. This is the first study to investigate the characteristics, behavioral correlates, and moderators of depression among Chinese older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. Research findings may provide new insights into interventions and policy-making on individual precautionary behavior and mental health among older adults for future pandemics.


Subject(s)
COVID-19/psychology , Depression/epidemiology , Health Behavior , Pandemics , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , China/epidemiology , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged
15.
Can J Psychiatry ; 66(7): 634-644, 2021 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33522837

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: The coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in profound global impact, with older adults at greater risk of serious physical health outcomes. It is essential to also understand generational differences in psychosocial impacts to identify appropriate prevention and intervention targets. Across generational groups, this study examined: (1) rates of precautions and adaptive and maladaptive health behaviors, (2) differences in levels of anxiety, and (3) rates of COVID-related concerns during Wave 1 of COVID-19 in Canada. PARTICIPANTS: We analyzed data from 2 Canadian population-based data sets: the Canadian Perspective Survey Series: Impact of COVID-19 survey (N = 4,627; March 29 to April 3, 2020), and Crowdsourcing: Impacts of COVID-19 on Canadians-Your Mental Health (N = 45,989; April 24 to May 11, 2020). MEASURES: We categorized generational age group. Participants self-reported changes in behaviors and COVID-related concerns, and a validated measure assessed anxiety symptoms. RESULTS: There are generational differences in behavioral responses to the pandemic. Adaptive health habits (e.g., exercise) were comparable across groups, while changes in maladaptive health habits (e.g., substance use) were highest among younger age groups, particularly Millennials (15 to 34 years old). COVID-related precautions were also highest among the younger generations, with Generation X (35 to 54 years old) exhibiting the highest rate of precautionary behavior. Results also revealed that the highest rate of clinically significant anxiety is among Millennials (36.0%; severe anxiety = 15.7%), and the younger generations have the highest rates of COVID-related concerns. CONCLUSION: These early data are essential in understanding at-risk groups given the unpredictable nature of the pandemic and its potential long-term implications.


Subject(s)
Anxiety/psychology , COVID-19 , Mental Health/statistics & numerical data , Pandemics , Adolescent , Adult , Age Distribution , Age Factors , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Anxiety/epidemiology , COVID-19/epidemiology , Canada/epidemiology , Female , Health Behavior , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Population Surveillance , SARS-CoV-2 , Young Adult
16.
Support Care Cancer ; 29(7): 4075-4080, 2021 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33404805

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Cumulative knowledge indicates that cancer patients, among them breast cancer patients, are more susceptible to COVID-19 than individuals without cancer. Therefore, these patients need to take additional precautions against the COVID-19 outbreak. This study aimed to examine factors associated with precautionary behavior among Israeli breast cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 151 women with breast cancer. Participants completed measures of knowledge about COVID-19, perceived threat, sense of mastery, social support, precautionary behavior, and socio-demographic questionnaires. A multivariate regression model was calculated with precautionary behavior as the dependent variable. RESULTS: The mean of precautionary behavior score was relatively high. Participants perceived their health as relatively good, had relatively high knowledge about COVID-19, and moderate perceived threat. Sense of mastery was relatively moderate and perceived social support was relatively high. In the multivariate regression analysis, after controlling for the background variables, knowledge about COVID-19 (F(2,149) = 8.68, p < 0.001; beta = 0.36) was significantly associated with precautionary behavior. This variable explained 15.4% of the precautionary behavior variance. CONCLUSION: Findings suggest that in order to enhance precautionary behavior among women with breast cancer during a pandemic outbreak, it is recommended to pay attention their knowledge about the virus.


Subject(s)
Breast Neoplasms/epidemiology , COVID-19/prevention & control , Health Behavior , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Avoidance Learning , Breast Neoplasms/psychology , COVID-19/epidemiology , COVID-19/psychology , Cross-Sectional Studies , Disease Outbreaks , Female , Health Behavior/physiology , Humans , Israel/epidemiology , Middle Aged , Pandemics , Quarantine/psychology , Quarantine/statistics & numerical data , SARS-CoV-2 , Self Care/psychology , Self Care/statistics & numerical data , Surveys and Questionnaires , Young Adult
17.
Front Psychol ; 11: 566773, 2020.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33329202

ABSTRACT

The novel coronavirus has not only brought along disruptions to daily socio-economic activities, but sickness and deaths due to its high contagion. With no widely acceptable pharmaceutical cure, the best form of prevention may be precautionary measures which will guide against infections and curb the spread of the disease. This study explored the relationship between COVID-19 knowledge, risk perception, and precautionary behavior among Nigerians. The study also sought to determine whether this relationship differed for men and women. A web-based cross-sectional design approach was used to recruit 1,554 participants (mean age = 27.43, SD = 9.75; 42.7% females) from all geopolitical zones in Nigeria, through social media platforms using a snowball sampling technique. Participants responded to web-based survey forms comprising demographic questions and adapted versions of the Ebola knowledge scale, SARS risk perception scale, and precautionary behavior scale. Moderated mediation analysis of the data showed that risk perception mediated the association between COVID-19 knowledge and precautionary behavior and this indirect effect was in turn moderated by gender. Results indicate that having adequate knowledge of COVID-19 was linked to higher involvement in precautionary behavior through risk perception for females but not for males. It was also noted that awareness campaigns and psychological intervention strategies on COVID-19 related activities may be particularly important for males more than females. Drawing from the health belief model, we recommend that COVID-19 awareness campaigns should target raising more awareness of the risks associated with the infection to make individuals engage more in precautionary behaviors.

18.
BMC Public Health ; 20(1): 1718, 2020 Nov 16.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33198693

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The lay public's behavioral responses during a virus spread, such as the COVID-19, play an important role in bringing the outbreak under control, and provide insights into development of risk communication messages to the public. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the association between knowledge about COVID-19, perceived susceptibility, emotional reactions and precautionary behavior among the Israeli lay public at the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak. METHOD: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1407 participants, aged 18 + . Participants completed measures of knowledge about COVID-19, perceived susceptibility, emotional reactions, precautionary behavior, and socio-demographic questionnaires. A hierarchical regression model was calculated with precautionary behavior as the dependent variable. RESULTS: Findings indicated that precautionary behavior was higher for females, older participants, participants with higher levels of knowledge about COVID-19, and participants with greater negative emotional reactions. A negative curvilinear relationship was found between perceived susceptibility and precautionary behavior, so that the latter was highest for participants with moderate perceived susceptibility. All interaction terms were non-significant. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that in order to enhance precautionary behavior in the initial stage of a virus outbreak, it is recommended to pay attention to the public's knowledge about the virus, perceived susceptibility and emotional reactions. Although negative feelings about the virus may motivate preventive behavior, it is important to address these feelings.


Subject(s)
Coronavirus Infections/prevention & control , Coronavirus Infections/psychology , Disease Outbreaks , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Pandemics/prevention & control , Pneumonia, Viral/prevention & control , Pneumonia, Viral/psychology , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , COVID-19 , Coronavirus Infections/epidemiology , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Humans , Israel/epidemiology , Male , Middle Aged , Pneumonia, Viral/epidemiology , Surveys and Questionnaires , Young Adult
19.
Data Brief ; 30: 105685, 2020 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32391411

ABSTRACT

In response to the global call for strategic information to understand the novel coronavirus, the dataset presented in this paper is an examination of COVID-19-related knowledge, risk perceptions and precautionary health behavior among Nigerians. The data were generated during the COVID-19 lockdown in the country through a survey distributed via an online questionnaire, assessing socio-demographic information (7 items), knowledge (5 items), information sources (1 item), risk perception (9 items), expected end of lockdown (1 item), and COVID-19 precautionary health behavior (10 items), from 28th March to 4th April, 2020, gathering a total of 1,357 responses. A combination of purposive and snowball techniques helped to select the respondents via Whatsapp and Facebook from 180 cities/towns in the 6 geopolitical zones of Nigeria. The survey data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The entire dataset is stored in a Microsoft Excel Worksheet (xls) and the questionnaire is attached as a supplementary file. The data will assist in curbing the Coronavirus pandemic by offering evidence for strategic and targeted interventions as well as health policy formulations and implementation.

20.
J Interpers Violence ; 33(8): 1306-1326, 2018 04.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26598293

ABSTRACT

This article reports findings on violence, safety, and coping strategies from interviews conducted with 281 male youth incarcerated in California's Division of Juvenile Justice (DJJ). Descriptive analyses revealed that youth report that violence is a common occurrence and that some locations, such as school or housing units, were particularly dangerous. Analysis of how youth avoid violence revealed three distinct precautionary or coping strategies. These three categories highlight a range of conflict management techniques from avoidance to aggression. Those youth who were younger, sex offenders, or newer to the facility used more passive avoidance techniques while gang members and those more active in violent misconduct used more aggressive techniques. A third group, those youth proactively navigating their interactions, had spent more time in their current institution and were marginally more likely to be adult court commitments. Intervention and policy implications of this study are also discussed.


Subject(s)
Adaptation, Psychological , Adolescent Behavior , Juvenile Delinquency , Prisoners , Violence/prevention & control , Adolescent , California , Humans , Interviews as Topic , Male , Peer Group , Qualitative Research , Safety , Schools , Young Adult
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