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Leonard R, O'Connor SR, Hanratty J, Keenan C, Chi Y, Ferguson J, Axiaq A, Volz A, Welsh C, Campbell K, Hawkins V, Miller S, Bradley D, Dempster M. Psychological and psychosocial determinants of COVID related face covering behaviours: A systematic review. CAMPBELL SYSTEMATIC REVIEWS 2024; 20:e1422. [PMID: 39035996 PMCID: PMC11260276 DOI: 10.1002/cl2.1422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024]
Abstract
Background The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has resulted in illness, deaths and societal disruption on a global scale. Societies have implemented various control measures to reduce transmission of the virus and mitigate its impact. Individual behavioural changes are crucial to the successful implementation of these measures. One commonly recommended measure to limit risk of infection is face covering. It is important to identify those factors that can predict the uptake and maintenance of face covering. Objectives We aimed to identify and synthesise the evidence on malleable psychological and psychosocial factors that determine uptake and adherence to face covering aimed at reducing the risk of infection or transmission of COVID-19. Search Methods We searched various literature sources including electronic databases (Medline ALL, Child Development & Adolescent Studies, ERIC, PsycInfo, CINAHL & Web of Science), web searches, conference proceedings, government reports, other repositories of literature and grey literature. The search strategy was built around three concepts of interest including (1) context (terms relating to COVID19), (2) behaviour of interest and (3) terms related to psychological and psychosocial determinants of COVID Health-Related Behaviours and adherence or compliance with face covering, to capture malleable determines. Searches capture studies up until October 2021. Selection Criteria Eligibility criteria included observational studies (both retrospective and prospective) and experimental studies that measure and report malleable psychological and psychosocial determinants and handwashing at an individual level, amongst the general public. Screening was supported by the Cochrane Crowd. Studies titles and abstracts were screened against the eligibility criteria by three independent screeners. Following this, all potentially relevant studies were screened at full-text level by the research team. All conflicts between screeners were resolved by discussion between the core research team. Data Collection and Analysis All data extraction was managed in EPPI-Reviewer software. All eligible studies, identified through full-text screening were extracted by one author. We extracted data on study information, population, determinant, behaviour and effects. A second author checked data extraction on 20% of all included papers. All conflicts were discussed by the two authors until consensus was reached. We assessed methodological quality of all included studies using an adapted version of the Joanna Briggs Institute Quality appraisal tool for cross-sectional studies. Main Results Our initial searches yielded 23,587 results, of which 23 were included in this review. The included studies were cross-sectional in design, came from nine countries and had a combined sample of 54,401 participants. The vast majority of studies had samples from the general public, with five of the studies focusing on specific samples. All included studies considered people over the age of 18. The quality of 10 of the studies was rated as unclear, 10 were rated as low, and 3 rated high risk of bias, predominately due to lack of reporting of recruitment, sample characteristics and methodology. Ten studies were included in the meta-analysis and 16 in the narrative synthesis. Findings from the meta-analysis indicated that knowledge of COVID-19 (0.341, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.06, 0.530, I 2 = 100%) was the malleable determinant most associated with face covering behaviour. Perceived susceptibility of COVID-19 (r = 0.088, 95% CI = -0.004, 0.180, I 2 = 80%) and COVID-related worry and anxiety (r = 0.064, 95% CI = -0.066, 0.191, I 2 = 93% had little to no effect on face covering behaviour. In the narrative synthesis, the strongest association was found between perceived benefits and effectiveness of behaviours and mask wearing behaviour. Authors' Conclusions Understanding the effects of various malleable determinants on COVID-related face covering can aid in the development and implementation of interventions and public health campaigns to promote face covering behaviour in potential new waves of COVID-19 or other respiratory infections. Knowledge of COVID and perceived benefits of face coverings warrant further consideration in future research and policy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jennifer Hanratty
- Centre for Evidence and Social InnovationQueen's University BelfastBelfastUK
| | | | - Yuan Chi
- Yealth NetworkBeijing Yealth Technology Co., Ltd.ShanghaiChina
| | | | - Ariana Axiaq
- School of PsychologyQueen's University BelfastBelfastUK
| | - Anna Volz
- School of PsychologyQueen's University BelfastBelfastUK
| | - Ceri Welsh
- School of PsychologyQueen's University BelfastBelfastUK
| | | | | | - Sarah Miller
- Centre for Effective EducationQueen's University BelfastBelfastUK
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Liu LS, Jia X, Zhu A, Ran GJ, Johnston D, Siegert R, Gong Y, French N, Lu J. Measuring the missing: Knowledge, risk perceptions and self-protection practices of COVID-19 among the Asian population in New Zealand: An online survey. ZEITSCHRIFT FUR GESUNDHEITSWISSENSCHAFTEN = JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH 2023:1-18. [PMID: 37361274 PMCID: PMC10193356 DOI: 10.1007/s10389-023-01926-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Aim Asians are the second largest and fastest growing non-European population in New Zealand but are under-researched in terms of their COVID-19 pandemic response. The paper aims to illustrates Asians' risk perceptions and knowledge of COVID-19, and self-protection practices to avoid infection and prevent community transmission. Subject and methods An online survey was used to collect data and received 402 valid responses. Data analyses included: 1) a descriptive analysis by using Chi-square tests and a Kruskal-Wallis rank sum tests to explore associations between responses and the four demographic variables (i.e. age, gender, country of origin/ethnicity, and region); and 2) a correlation analysis between different survey objectives. Results The descriptive analysis of the survey found that while ethnicity (within the Asian category) was the most influential variable that resulted in varying responses to many questions, gender and age were other two important variables in influencing the answering patterns. The correlation analysis found a positive correlation between the perceived 'dangerousness' of COVID-19 and respondents' overall compliance behaviour to New Zealand authorities' recommendations to prevent spread of COVID-19. Conclusion The majority of the respondents provided correct answers to the questions about the vulnerable populations, symptoms, asymptomatic transmission and potential sequelae of COVID-19; however, their understanding of the availability of a cure for, and the incubation period of COVID-19 was not consistent with the official information. The research also found that the higher perceived dangerousness of COVID-19, the better compliance to self-protection practices among the surveyed population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liangni Sally Liu
- School of Humanities, Media and Creative Communication, Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Xiaoyun Jia
- Institute of Governance & School of Politics and Public Administration, Shandong University, Qingdao, China
| | - Andrew Zhu
- Trace Research Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Guanyu Jason Ran
- School of Applied Sciences, Edinburgh Napier University, Edinburgh, UK
| | - David Johnston
- Joint Centre for Disaster Research, Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Richard Siegert
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, School of Clinical Sciences, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Yuan Gong
- School of Humanities, Media and Creative Communication, Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Nigel French
- Infectious Diseases Research Centre, Hopkirk Research Institute, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Jun Lu
- Auckland Bioengineering Institute, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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Hanney SR, Straus SE, Holmes BJ. Saving millions of lives but some resources squandered: emerging lessons from health research system pandemic achievements and challenges. Health Res Policy Syst 2022; 20:99. [PMID: 36088365 PMCID: PMC9464102 DOI: 10.1186/s12961-022-00883-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
During the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, astonishingly rapid research averted millions of deaths worldwide through new vaccines and repurposed and new drugs. Evidence use informed life-saving national policies including non-pharmaceutical interventions. Simultaneously, there was unprecedented waste, with many underpowered trials on the same drugs. We identified lessons from COVID-19 research responses by applying WHO's framework for research systems. It has four functions-governance, securing finance, capacity-building, and production and use of research-and nine components. Two linked questions focused the analysis. First, to what extent have achievements in knowledge production and evidence use built on existing structures and capacity in national health research systems? Second, did the features of such systems mitigate waste? We collated evidence on seven countries, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States, to identify examples of achievements and challenges.We used the data to develop lessons for each framework component. Research coordination, prioritization and expedited ethics approval contributed to rapid identification of new therapies, including dexamethasone in the United Kingdom and Brazil. Accelerated vaccines depended on extensive funding, especially through the Operation Warp Speed initiative in the United States, and new platforms created through long-term biomedical research capacity in the United Kingdom and, for messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) vaccines, in Canada, Germany and the United States. Research capacity embedded in the United Kingdom's healthcare system resulted in trial acceleration and waste avoidance. Faster publication of research saved lives, but raised challenges. Public/private collaborations made major contributions to vastly accelerating new products, available worldwide, though unequally. Effective developments of living (i.e. regularly updated) reviews and guidelines, especially in Australia and Canada, extended existing expertise in meeting users' needs. Despite complexities, effective national policy responses (less evident in Brazil, the United Kingdom and the United States) also saved lives by drawing on health research system features, including collaboration among politicians, civil servants and researchers; good communications; and willingness to use evidence. Comprehensive health research strategies contributed to success in research production in the United Kingdom and in evidence use by political leadership in New Zealand. In addition to waste, challenges included equity issues, public involvement and non-COVID research. We developed recommendations, but advocate studies of further countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen R Hanney
- Health Economics Research Group, Department of Health Sciences, Brunel University London, London, United Kingdom.
| | - Sharon E Straus
- St Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Bev J Holmes
- Michael Smith Health Research BC, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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Pan JY, Liu D. Mask-wearing intentions on airplanes during COVID-19 - Application of theory of planned behavior model. TRANSPORT POLICY 2022; 119:32-44. [PMID: 35185300 PMCID: PMC8841390 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranpol.2022.01.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2021] [Revised: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/29/2022] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has devastated the air transport industry, forcing airlines to take measures to ensure the safety of passengers and crewmembers. Among the many protective measures, mask mandate onboard the airplane is an important one, but travelers' mask-wearing intentions during flight remain uninvestigated especially in the US where mask use is a topic of on-going debate. This study focused on the mask use of airline passengers when they fly during COVID-19, using the theory of planned behavior (TPB) model to examine the relationship between nine predicting factors and the mask-wearing intention in the aircraft cabin. A survey instrument was developed to collect data from 1124 air travelers on Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk), and the data was statistically analyzed using structural equation modeling and logistic regression. Results showed that attitude, descriptive norms, risk avoidance, and information seeking significantly influenced the travelers' intention to wear a mask during flight in COVID-19. Group analysis further indicated that the four factors influenced mask-wearing intentions differently on young, middle-aged, and senior travelers. It was also found that demographic and travel characteristics including age, education, income, and travel frequency can be used to predict if the airline passenger was willing to pay a large amount to switch to airlines that adopted different mask policies during COVID-19. The findings of this study fill the research gap of air travelers' intentions to wear a mask when flying during a global pandemic and provide recommendations for mask-wearing policies to help the air transport industry recover from COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Yu Pan
- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, FL, USA
| | - Dahai Liu
- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, FL, USA
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Kessler SE, Aunger R. The evolution of the human healthcare system and implications for understanding our responses to COVID-19. Evol Med Public Health 2022; 10:87-107. [PMID: 35284079 PMCID: PMC8908543 DOI: 10.1093/emph/eoac004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed an urgent need for a comprehensive, multidisciplinary understanding of how healthcare systems respond successfully to infectious pathogens-and how they fail. This study contributes a novel perspective that focuses on the selective pressures that shape healthcare systems over evolutionary time. We use a comparative approach to trace the evolution of care-giving and disease control behaviours across species and then map their integration into the contemporary human healthcare system. Self-care and pro-health environmental modification are ubiquitous across animals, while derived behaviours like care for kin, for strangers, and group-level organizational responses have evolved via different selection pressures. We then apply this framework to our behavioural responses to COVID-19 and demonstrate that three types of conflicts are occurring: (1) conflicting selection pressures on individuals, (2) evolutionary mismatches between the context in which our healthcare behaviours evolved and our globalized world of today and (3) evolutionary displacements in which older forms of care are currently dispensed through more derived forms. We discuss the significance of understanding how healthcare systems evolve and change for thinking about the role of healthcare systems in society during and after the time of COVID-19-and for us as a species as we continue to face selection from infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon E Kessler
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, UK
| | - Robert Aunger
- Environmental Health Group, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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Kaine G, Greenhalgh S, Wright V. Compliance with Covid-19 measures: Evidence from New Zealand. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0263376. [PMID: 35139139 PMCID: PMC8827475 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0263376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Governments around the world are seeking to slow the spread of Covid-19 by implementing measures that encourage, or mandate, changes in people’s behaviour. These changes include the wearing of face masks, social distancing, and testing and self-isolating when unwell. The success of these measures depends on the commitment of individuals to change their behaviour accordingly. Understanding and predicting the motivation of individuals to change their behaviour is therefore critical in assessing the likely effectiveness of these measures in slowing the spread of the virus. In this paper we draw on a novel framework, the I3 Compliance Response Framework, to understand and predict the motivation of residents in Auckland, New Zealand, to comply with measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19. The Framework is based on two concepts. The first uses the involvement construct to predict the motivation of individuals to comply. The second separates the influence of the policy measure from the influence of the policy outcome on the motivation of individuals to comply. In short, the Framework differentiates between the strength of individuals’ motivation and their beliefs about the advantages and disadvantages of policy outcomes and policy measures. We found this differentiation was useful in predicting an individual’s possible behavioural responses to a measure and discuss how it could assist government agencies to develop strategies to enhance compliance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geoff Kaine
- Landscape, Policy & Governance, Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research, Hamilton, New Zealand
- * E-mail:
| | - Suzie Greenhalgh
- Society, Culture & Policy, Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Vic Wright
- Faculty of Science, Agriculture, Business and Law, University of New England, Armidale, New South Wales, Australia
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Martini S, Kusumawaty I, Yunike, Detiana, Nurung J. Why not wearing mask during Covid-19 outbreak: Big question mark. GACETA SANITARIA 2021; 35 Suppl 2:S546-S548. [PMID: 34929897 PMCID: PMC8677358 DOI: 10.1016/j.gaceta.2021.10.094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Objective The qualitative research participants were 15 mothers, had children, and did not work. Methods Collecting data through in-depth interviews, observations, and field notes. The data were arranged into transcripts, analyzed through the process of data reduction, triangulation and conclusions. Results The resulting themes include: inner family conflicts, the mother of a central family figure, increased family burdens, lack of awareness, fluctuations in family income which are internal causes, while external causes are inconsistencies in implementing regulations, the uncertainty of information validity, lack of role models, restrictions in cultivating culture. Conclusion It is necessary to strengthen multisectoral coordination continuously in fostering a culture of awareness of using masks during the Covid-19 period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sri Martini
- Mental Health Nursing Department, Politeknik Kesehatan Kemenkes Palembang, Indonesia
| | - Ira Kusumawaty
- Mental Health Nursing Department, Politeknik Kesehatan Kemenkes Palembang, Indonesia.
| | - Yunike
- Pediatric Nursing Department, Politeknik Kesehatan Kemenkes Palembang, Indonesia
| | - Detiana
- Medical Surgical Nursing Department, Politeknik Kesehatan Kemenkes Palembang, Indonesia
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Adjodah D, Dinakar K, Chinazzi M, Fraiberger SP, Pentland A, Bates S, Staller K, Vespignani A, Bhatt DL. Association between COVID-19 outcomes and mask mandates, adherence, and attitudes. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0252315. [PMID: 34161332 PMCID: PMC8221503 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0252315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
We extend previous studies on the impact of masks on COVID-19 outcomes by investigating an unprecedented breadth and depth of health outcomes, geographical resolutions, types of mask mandates, early versus later waves and controlling for other government interventions, mobility testing rate and weather. We show that mask mandates are associated with a statistically significant decrease in new cases (-3.55 per 100K), deaths (-0.13 per 100K), and the proportion of hospital admissions (-2.38 percentage points) up to 40 days after the introduction of mask mandates both at the state and county level. These effects are large, corresponding to 14% of the highest recorded number of cases, 13% of deaths, and 7% of admission proportion. We also find that mask mandates are linked to a 23.4 percentage point increase in mask adherence in four diverse states. Given the recent lifting of mandates, we estimate that the ending of mask mandates in these states is associated with a decrease of -3.19 percentage points in mask adherence and 12 per 100K (13% of the highest recorded number) of daily new cases with no significant effect on hospitalizations and deaths. Lastly, using a large novel survey dataset of 847 thousand responses in 69 countries, we introduce the novel results that community mask adherence and community attitudes towards masks are associated with a reduction in COVID-19 cases and deaths. Our results have policy implications for reinforcing the need to maintain and encourage mask-wearing by the public, especially in light of some states starting to remove their mask mandates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dhaval Adjodah
- Connection Science, MIT, Cambridge, MA, United States of America
- Center of Complex Interventions, Wellesley, MA, United States of America
| | | | - Matteo Chinazzi
- Laboratory for the Modeling of Biological and Socio-technical Systems, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Samuel P. Fraiberger
- Connection Science, MIT, Cambridge, MA, United States of America
- Development Data Group, World Bank, Washington, DC, United States of America
- Department of Computer Science, New York University, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Alex Pentland
- Media Lab, MIT, Cambridge, MA, United States of America
| | - Samantha Bates
- Center of Complex Interventions, Wellesley, MA, United States of America
| | - Kyle Staller
- Division of Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America
- Harvard Medical School, Harvard University Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Alessandro Vespignani
- Laboratory for the Modeling of Biological and Socio-technical Systems, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Deepak L. Bhatt
- Heart & Vascular Center, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America
- Harvard Medical School, Harvard University Boston, MA, United States of America
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Perra N. Non-pharmaceutical interventions during the COVID-19 pandemic: A review. PHYSICS REPORTS 2021; 913:1-52. [PMID: 33612922 PMCID: PMC7881715 DOI: 10.1016/j.physrep.2021.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 224] [Impact Index Per Article: 74.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Infectious diseases and human behavior are intertwined. On one side, our movements and interactions are the engines of transmission. On the other, the unfolding of viruses might induce changes to our daily activities. While intuitive, our understanding of such feedback loop is still limited. Before COVID-19 the literature on the subject was mainly theoretical and largely missed validation. The main issue was the lack of empirical data capturing behavioral change induced by diseases. Things have dramatically changed in 2020. Non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) have been the key weapon against the SARS-CoV-2 virus and affected virtually any societal process. Travel bans, events cancellation, social distancing, curfews, and lockdowns have become unfortunately very familiar. The scale of the emergency, the ease of survey as well as crowdsourcing deployment guaranteed by the latest technology, several Data for Good programs developed by tech giants, major mobile phone providers, and other companies have allowed unprecedented access to data describing behavioral changes induced by the pandemic. Here, I review some of the vast literature written on the subject of NPIs during the COVID-19 pandemic. In doing so, I analyze 348 articles written by more than 2518 authors in the first 12 months of the emergency. While the large majority of the sample was obtained by querying PubMed, it includes also a hand-curated list. Considering the focus, and methodology I have classified the sample into seven main categories: epidemic models, surveys, comments/perspectives, papers aiming to quantify the effects of NPIs, reviews, articles using data proxies to measure NPIs, and publicly available datasets describing NPIs. I summarize the methodology, data used, findings of the articles in each category and provide an outlook highlighting future challenges as well as opportunities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Perra
- Networks and Urban Systems Centre, University of Greenwich, London, UK
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Mousavi SH, Delshad MH, Acuti Martellucci C, Bhandari D, Ozaki A, Pourhaji F, Pourhaji F, Reza Hosseini SM, Roien R, Ramozi AA, Wafaee M, Qaderi S, Delsoz M, Sigdel S, Kotera Y, Sawano T, Dhama K, Rodríguez-Morales AJ, Wang J, Tanimoto T, Yousefi AA, Sah R. Community Behavioral and Perceived Responses in the COVID-19 Outbreak in Afghanistan: A Cross-Sectional Study. Disaster Med Public Health Prep 2021; 16:1-7. [PMID: 33947492 PMCID: PMC8185426 DOI: 10.1017/dmp.2021.135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Revised: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Community responses are important for the management of early-phase outbreaks of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Perceived susceptibility and severity are considered key elements that motivate people to adopt nonpharmaceutical interventions. This study aimed to (i) explore perceived susceptibility and severity of the COVID-19 pandemic, (ii) examine the practice of nonpharmaceutical interventions, and (iii) assess the potential association of perceived COVID-19 susceptibility and severity with the practice of nonpharmaceutical interventions among people living in Afghanistan. METHODS A cross-sectional design was used, using online surveys disseminated from April to May 2020. Convenience sampling was used to recruit the participants of this study. The previously developed scales were used to assess the participants' demographic information, perceived risk of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, and perceived severity of COVID-19. Multivariate analyses were conducted to assess the potential association of perceived COVID-19 susceptibility and severity with the practice of nonpharmaceutical interventions. RESULTS The Internet was the main source for obtaining COVID-19 information among participants in this study. While 45.8% of the participants believed it was "very unlikely" for them to get infected with COVID-19, 76.7% perceived COVID-19 as a severe disease. Similarly, 37.5% believed the chance of being cured if infected with COVID-19 is "unlikely/very unlikely." The majority of participants (95.6%) perceived their health to be in "good" and "very good" status. Overall, 74.2% mentioned that they stopped visiting public places, 49.7% started using gloves, and 70.4% started wearing a mask. Participants who believed they have a low probability of survival if infected with COVID-19 were more likely to wear masks and practice hand washing. CONCLUSIONS It appears that communities' psychological and behavioral responses were affected by the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in Afghanistan, especially among young Internet users. The findings gained from a timely behavioral assessment of the community might be useful to develop interventions and risk communication strategies in epidemics within and beyond COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sayed Hamid Mousavi
- Medical Research Center, Kateb University, Kabul, Afghanistan
- Afghanistan National Charity Organization for Special Diseases (ANCOSD), Kabul, Afghanistan
| | - Mohammad Hossein Delshad
- Public Health Department, School of Health, Torbat Heydariyeh University of Medical Sciences, Torbat Heydariyeh, Iran
- Health Sciences Research Center, Torbat Heydariyeh University of Medical Sciences, Torbat Heydariyeh, Iran
| | | | | | - Akihiko Ozaki
- Medical Governance Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Breast Surgery, Jyoban Hospital of Tokiwa Foundation, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Fatemeh Pourhaji
- Public Health Department, School of Health, Torbat Heydariyeh University of Medical Sciences, Torbat Heydariyeh, Iran
- Health Sciences Research Center, Torbat Heydariyeh University of Medical Sciences, Torbat Heydariyeh, Iran
| | - Fahimeh Pourhaji
- Department of Health Education and Health Promotion, School of Health, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | | | - Rohullah Roien
- Medical Research Center, Kateb University, Kabul, Afghanistan
| | | | - Marzia Wafaee
- Faculty of Chemistry, Kabul University, Kabul, Afghanistan
| | - Shohra Qaderi
- Medical Research Center, Kateb University, Kabul, Afghanistan
- School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Delsoz
- Medical Research Center, Kateb University, Kabul, Afghanistan
- NOOR Eye-care Training Center of International Assistance Missions, Kabul, Afghanistan
| | - Shailendra Sigdel
- Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesiology, Maharajgunj Medical Campus, Tribhuvan University Institute of Medicine, Maharajgunj, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Yasuhiro Kotera
- Human Sciences Research Centre, University of Derby, Derby, United Kingdom
| | - Toyoaki Sawano
- Department of Radiation Health Management, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Kuldeep Dhama
- Division of Pathology, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly, India
| | - Alfonso J. Rodríguez-Morales
- Grupo de Investigación Biomedicina, Faculty of Medicine, Fundación Universitaria Autónoma de las Américas, Pereira, Colombia
| | - Jiwei Wang
- School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | | | | | - Ranjit Sah
- Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Institute of Medicine, Kathmandu, Nepal
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Natnael T, Alemnew Y, Berihun G, Abebe M, Andualem A, Ademe S, Tegegne B, Adane M. Facemask wearing to prevent COVID-19 transmission and associated factors among taxi drivers in Dessie City and Kombolcha Town, Ethiopia. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0247954. [PMID: 33711038 PMCID: PMC7954338 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0247954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The World Health Organization (WHO) has pointed out that urban taxi drivers and their passengers are at higher risk of transmitting coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) due to frequent contact among many people. Facemask wearing is one of the preventive measures recommended to control the transmission of the virus. A lack of evidence of the proportion of facemask wearing among taxi drivers and associated factors in Ethiopia, including Dessie City and Kombolcha Town, hinders the design of targeted interventions to advocate for facemask use. This study was designed to address this gap. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted among 417 taxi drivers in Dessie City and Kombolcha Town from July to August, 2020. The study participants were selected using a simple random sampling technique after proportionally allocating the sample size from the total number of taxi drivers working in Dessie City and Kombolcha Town. The data were collected by trained data collectors using a structured questionnaire and an on-the-spot observational checklist. The collected data were checked, coded and entered to EpiData version 4.6 and exported to Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25.0 for data cleaning and analysis. Bivariate (Crude Odds Ratio [COR]) and multivariable (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR]) logistic regression analyses were employed using 95% CI (confidence interval). From bivariate logistic regression analysis, variables with p-value < 0.250 were retained into multivariable logistic regression analysis. Then, from the multivariable analysis, variables with p-value < 0.050 were declared as factors significantly associated with facemask wearing among taxi drivers in Dessie City and Kombolcha Town. MAIN FINDINGS The proportion of taxi drivers who wore a facemask was 54.68% [95%CI: 50.10-59.7%]. The majority (58.3%) of drivers were using cloth facemasks, followed by N95 facemasks (24.5%) and surgical facemasks (17.3%). Out of the total 417 taxi drivers, more than two-thirds (69.8%) of them had a good knowledge about COVID-19 and 67.6% of taxi drivers had a positive attitude towards taking precautions against transmission of COVID-19. Three-fourths (74.1%) of the taxi drivers believed that wearing a facemask could prevent COVID-19. More than half (52.5%) felt discomfort when wearing a facemask. Almost three-fourths (72.2%) of taxi drivers felt that the presence of local government pressure helped them to wear a facemask. We found that marital status [AOR = 3.14, 95%CI: 1.97-5.01], fear of the disease [AOR = 2.1, 95%CI: 1.28-3.47], belief in the effectiveness of a facemask [AOR = 5.6, 95%CI: 3.1-10.16] and feeling government pressure [AOR = 3.6, 95%CI: 2.16-6.13] were factors significantly associated with wearing a facemask. CONCLUSION We found that the proportion of facemask wearers among taxi drivers was relatively low in Dessie City and Kombolcha Town. In order to increase that number, government bodies should work aggressively to encourage more taxi drivers to wear a facemask. We also recommend that government and non-government organizations work very closely together to implement strategies that promote facemask use, including increasing the availability of inexpensive facemasks, and monitoring and controlling facemask use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tarikuwa Natnael
- Department of Environmental Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Yeshiwork Alemnew
- Department of Biology, College of Natural Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Gete Berihun
- Department of Environmental Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Masresha Abebe
- Department of Environmental Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Atsedemariam Andualem
- Department of Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Sewunet Ademe
- Department of Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Belachew Tegegne
- Department of Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Metadel Adane
- Department of Environmental Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
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Romain A. Guest Editorial: New Zealand research and international perspectives on the pandemic. J Prim Health Care 2020; 12:191-192. [PMID: 32988438 DOI: 10.1071/hcv12n3_ed2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Alex Romain
- Leeston Medical Centre, 57/59 High Street, Leeston, Selwyn, 7632, New Zealand.
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Dovey SM. From the Editor: Rapid research for rapidly evolving healthcare needs. J Prim Health Care 2020; 12:189-190. [PMID: 32988437 DOI: 10.1071/hcv12n3_ed1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
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