Acceptance of Public Health Measures During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study of the Swiss Population's Beliefs, Attitudes, Trust, and Information-Seeking Behavior

An argumentation theory-based assessment tool for evaluating disinformation in health-related claims

OBJECTIVE

This study leverages argumentation theory to combat the growing threat of health disinformation by enhancing public competency in evaluating health-related information.

METHODS

We systematically analyzed common persuasive tactics used in health disinformation, categorizing them into thematic groups linked to specific argument types. Based on these analyses, we developed critical questions to test the validity and strength of these arguments, resulting in an assessment tool.

RESULTS

The assessment tool, formatted as a flowchart, guides users through targeted critical questions to assess the credibility of health information. It addresses tactics like data misuse, logical fallacies, and emotional manipulation, effectively improving users' ability to identify and resist misleading health claims.

CONCLUSION

Utilizing argumentation theory offers a structured framework to dissect and counteract persuasive disinformation techniques, thereby boosting public health literacy and empowering informed health decisions. The assessment tool serves as both an immediate practical tool and a long-term educational resource for building cognitive resilience.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Our findings suggest that health institutions should regularly conduct workshops to strengthen public argumentation skills. Accessible online resources and the integration of argumentation theory into educational curricula are recommended to foster critical thinking and discernment of health information, promoting a more informed and engaged public.

COVID-19 information sources, knowledge, attitude and control practices among community members during the pandemic in Ebonyi state, Nigeria: an analytical cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES

After taking a heavy toll on the world population, the COVID-19 pandemic is now an endemic disease of global public health significance that requires long-term application of control measures, which will likely be influenced by people's sources of information, knowledge and attitude about COVID-19 and their previous use of control measures. This study aimed to further the understanding of COVID-19 information sources, knowledge, attitude and control practices and their predictors among community members in Ebonyi state, Nigeria during the COVID-19 pandemic.

DESIGN

Analytical cross-sectional survey.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

We conducted a survey among all consenting/assenting community members aged 15 years and above in 28 randomly selected geographical clusters between 12 March and 9 May 2022. Data were collected through a structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire using KoBoCollect installed in Android devices.

ANALYSIS

Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were done, including multivariate generalised estimating equations.

RESULTS

10 825 participants were surveyed. The radio was the most common individual source of information about COVID-19 (used by 71.9% of the participants), and also the main and most trusted source of information for majority of the participants (46.1% and 44.7%, respectively). This was followed by family members/relatives/friends (61.8%) as the next most common source of information about COVID-19. Next to radio, family members/relatives/friends (13.2%) were the second main source of information, followed by health workers (13.0%). Meanwhile, health workers (15.2%) were the second most trusted source of COVID-19 information, next to radio. Traditional media was the main and also the most trusted source of information (55.6% and 54.3%, respectively), followed by interpersonal sources (36.9% and 39.7%, respectively) and internet/social media/text messages (7.5% and 6.0%, respectively). 10.1%, 51.4% and 23.7% of the participants had good knowledge, good attitude and good control practice, respectively. The strongest and most important predictor of the main and most trusted sources of information was gender. Other predictors included marital status, educational level, age and occupation. Good attitude, being married and educational level were strong predictors of good control practices.

CONCLUSION

The evidence from this study should be used to guide subsequent policy actions on COVID-19 or other similar health emergencies in order to enhance effective emergency health information dissemination and optimal use of control measures by community members in Ebonyi state, Nigeria and in other similar settings.

Understanding public response: Government communication during the COVID-19 crisis through the eyes of the Swiss public

Objective

To analyze the Swiss public perception of COVID-19 communication by the government and its impact on behavior and trust.

Methods

A cross-sectional representative online survey was conducted in January 2022 in a sample of 2587 Swiss residents.

Results

Overall the survey showed moderate satisfaction with communication, with relevance rated highly. Perceptions of communication varied across demographics. Also, differences were noted in trust in institutions, risk perception, and attitudes towards public health measures based on perceived communication quality.

Conclusion

This study highlights the dynamic nature of public health communication and underscores the significance of continuous adaptation and evaluation of strategies to effectively reach and influence diverse audiences. As misinformation persists, the study underscores the need for informative, empathetic, and honest communication, as well as tailored approaches to build public trust-an essential asset for managing health crises successfully.

Innovation

This study provides innovative concrete insights into how governmental communication could be designed more strategically to effectively communicate with the public in contexts characterized by disinformation, emphasizing the role of quality, honest, and empathetic communication in public health messaging.

Children and adolescents' experiences of mandatory SARS-CoV-2 testing in schools: a cross-sectional survey

BACKGROUND

Public health measures during the COVID-19 pandemic had dramatic consequences for children and adolescents. However, policy-makers and healthcare researchers did not give sufficient weight to children's perspectives. One common public health measure was mandatory SARS-CoV-2 tests in schools. This study examines the evaluation of such mandatory testing.

METHODS

We investigated the effects of test type (pooled PCR tests vs antigen rapid tests) and demographic and psychological factors on evaluations of the experience of being tested. A total of 569 children (8-17 years) in two major German cities completed online questionnaires between October and December 2021. Participants answered questions addressing test evaluation, vaccination status, pandemic-related stress, mental health difficulties and health-related quality of life.

RESULTS

Our results showed that overall test ratings were better for pooled PCR tests (p<0.001). Vaccine-willing students evaluated SARS-CoV-2 tests more positively than vaccine-unwilling students, regardless of test type (p<0.001). Children with mental health difficulties (abnormal/borderline Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) scores) evaluated SARS-CoV-2 tests more negatively than children with normal SDQ scores (p<0.001). Additionally, children who reported better health-related quality of life and children with less pandemic-related stress rated the tests more positively.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that there are differences in the appraisal of the test types and that specific subgroups' experiences of regular testing vary. Our study provides insights for policy-makers in future pandemics and raises questions regarding parallels between testing and vaccination hesitancy. Moreover, our study demonstrates the feasibility and value of collecting data directly from a large cohort of children in order to understand their experiences.

Absence of short-term changes in knowledge and attitudes among household contacts of COVID-19 cases during the post-acute phase of the pandemic in Catalonia and Navarre, Spain

Objectives

To evaluate short-term changes in knowledge and attitude towards COVID-19 and preventive measures during the post-acute phase of the pandemic in Spain.

Methods

A survey was performed in Catalonia and Navarre between May-2022 and July-2023 in household contacts of COVID-19 cases. Knowledge and attitude were assessed at baseline and at three months, using a Likert scale. Responses were grouped according to correct or incorrect.

Results

At baseline, 172 subjects were contacted, 118 (69%) of which completed a follow-up interview three months later. Knowledge of correct hand-washing and mask protocols had maintained over time (-1.7%, p = 0.553 and - 2.5%, p = 0.473, respectively). Attitudes toward preventive measures was adequate in the first interview (86%), but attitudes regarding use of face masks decreased significantly (-9.1%, p = 0.048) over time in participants with higher risk of severe COVID-19. However, most short-term changes in knowledge and attitudes were not statistically significant.

Conclusion

Household contacts showed correct knowledge and attitude towards COVID-19 and its preventive measures, without significant changes in the short term despite a relaxation of government-mandated preventive measures. These results provide relevant information in case of a new health emergency due to respiratory viruses.