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Keita M, Cherif IS, Polonsky JA, Boland ST, Kandako Y, Cherif MS, Kourouma M, Kamano AA, Bah H, Fofana IS, Ki-Zerbo GA, Dagron S, Chamla D, Gueye AS, Keiser O. Factors Associated with Reliable Contact Tracing During the 2021 Ebola Virus Disease Outbreak in Guinea. J Epidemiol Glob Health 2024:10.1007/s44197-024-00202-y. [PMID: 38372893 DOI: 10.1007/s44197-024-00202-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In 2021, an Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak was declared in Guinea, linked to persistent virus from the 2014-2016 West Africa Epidemic. This paper analyzes factors associated with contact tracing reliability (defined as completion of a 21-day daily follow-up) during the 2021 outbreak, and transitively, provides recommendations for enhancing contact tracing reliability in future. METHODS We conducted a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study using multivariate regression analysis of contact tracing data from 1071 EVD contacts of 23 EVD cases (16 confirmed and 7 probable). RESULTS Findings revealed statistically significant factors affecting contact tracing reliability. Unmarried contacts were 12.76× more likely to miss follow-up than those married (OR = 12.76; 95% CI [3.39-48.05]; p < 0.001). Rural-dwelling contacts had 99% lower odds of being missed during the 21-day follow-up, compared to those living in urban areas (OR = 0.01; 95% CI [0.00-0.02]; p < 0.01). Contacts who did not receive food donations were 3× more likely to be missed (OR = 3.09; 95% CI [1.68-5.65]; p < 0.001) compared to those who received them. Contacts in health areas with a single team were 8× more likely to be missed (OR = 8.16; 95% CI [5.57-11.96]; p < 0.01) than those in health areas with two or more teams (OR = 1.00; 95% CI [1.68-5.65]; p < 0.001). Unvaccinated contacts were 30.1× more likely to be missed compared to vaccinated contacts (OR = 30.1; 95% CI [5.12-176.83]; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION Findings suggest that contact tracing reliability can be significantly influenced by various demographic and organizational factors. Considering and understanding these factors-and where possible addressing them-may be crucial when designing and implementing contact tracing strategies during future outbreaks in low-resource settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mory Keita
- World Health Organization, Regional Office for Africa, Brazzaville, Congo.
- Institute of Global Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
| | | | - Jonathan A Polonsky
- Geneva Centre of Humanitarian Studies, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Epicentre, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Samuel T Boland
- World Health Organization, Regional Office for Africa, Brazzaville, Congo
- Chatham House, London, UK
| | - Youba Kandako
- Country Office for Guinea, World Health Organization, Conakry, Guinea
| | | | - Mamadou Kourouma
- Country Office for Guinea, World Health Organization, Conakry, Guinea
| | | | - Houssainatou Bah
- Country Office for Guinea, World Health Organization, Conakry, Guinea
| | | | | | - Stephanie Dagron
- Institute of Global Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Dick Chamla
- World Health Organization, Regional Office for Africa, Brazzaville, Congo
| | - Abdou Salam Gueye
- World Health Organization, Regional Office for Africa, Brazzaville, Congo
| | - Olivia Keiser
- Institute of Global Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
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Licht A, Wetzker W, Scholz J, Scherag A, Weis S, Pletz MW, Bauer M, Dickmann P. Public health risk communication through the lens of a quarantined community: Insights from a coronavirus hotspot in Germany. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0292248. [PMID: 37824455 PMCID: PMC10569635 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0292248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Quarantine is one of the most effective interventions to contain an infectious disease outbreak, yet it is one of the most disruptive. We investigated the quarantine of an entire village to better understand risk communication requirements for groups. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional, mixed-methods survey study on a single cohort of adult residents in Neustadt am Rennsteig, Germany, six weeks after the removal of a 14-day mandatory community quarantine. The survey response rate was 33% (289/883 residents). FINDINGS Survey participants reported a lack of information on the quarantine implementation process. What authorities communicated was not necessarily what residents desired to know. While inhabitants used social media and telephones to communicate with each other, the official information sources were regional radio, television, newspapers and official websites. Public health authorities did not employ social media communication to engage with their communities. Despite a lack of information, the majority of respondents stated that they had complied with the quarantine and they expressed little sympathy for those who violated the quarantine. After lifting the quarantine, many respondents continued to avoid places where they suspected a significant risk of infection, such as family and friends' homes, doctor's offices and grocery stores. INTERPRETATION The survey participants utilised existing social networks to disseminate vital information and stabilise its group identity and behaviour (quarantine compliance). The authorities communicated sparsely in a unidirectional, top-down manner, without engaging the community. Despite the lack of official information, the social coherency of the group contributed to considerate and compliant conduct, but participants expressed dissatisfaction with official leadership and asked for more attention. CONCLUSION Public health risk communication must engage with communities more effectively. This necessitates a deeper comprehension of groups, their modes of communication and their social needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annika Licht
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Wibke Wetzker
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Juliane Scholz
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - André Scherag
- Institute of Medical Statistics, Computer and Data Sciences, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Sebastian Weis
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
- Institute for Infectious Diseases and Infection Control, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
- Leibniz Institute for Infection Biology and Natural Product Research, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knoell Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Mathias W. Pletz
- Institute for Infectious Diseases and Infection Control, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Michael Bauer
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Petra Dickmann
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
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Endriyas M, Shibru E, Hussen M, Melka M, Lemango F, Kibru S, Taye D, Tadele A. Knowledge, attitudes and practices towards COVID-19: Community survey in southern Ethiopia. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0288430. [PMID: 37535622 PMCID: PMC10399778 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0288430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Being well informed about the pandemic and how the virus spreads help to prevent and control the pandemic. Health authorities should monitor community practice to prevent the pandemic to identify gaps and minimize risks. This study was, therefore, designed to assess community knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) related to COVID-19 prevention and its associated factors in urban settings. METHODS Community based cross-sectional study was conducted in southern Ethiopia. Twelve towns with high population density and mobility and 1162 participants were included in the study using multi-stage sampling. Semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Mask use was assessed by observation while social distancing and handwashing were assessed by interview. Good practice was defined as wearing face mask, keeping social distance and handwashing. Data was collected by health professionals who have BSc and above (in nursing and public health) and analyzed using SPSS version 25. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression at 95% confidence level were performed. RESULTS From 1162 respondents, about three fifths, 714 (61.4%), were females and 829 (64.2%) were married. The mean knowledge score was 69.7 (SD±17.87) while mean score for attitude was 80.6 (SD±6.29). Only about one third, 380 (32.7%), had good practice. Occupation, age and overall knowledge about COVID-19 and its prevention were associated with good COVID-19 prevention measures. CONCLUSION Knowledge and attitude related to COVID-19 prevention and control were moderate while practice was low. The risk communication strategy should be strengthened using precautionary advocacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Misganu Endriyas
- SNNPR Public Health Institute, SNNPR Health Bureau, Hawassa, Sidama, Ethiopia
| | | | - Mamush Hussen
- SNNPR Public Health Institute, SNNPR Health Bureau, Hawassa, Sidama, Ethiopia
| | - Mintesinot Melka
- SNNPR Public Health Institute, SNNPR Health Bureau, Hawassa, Sidama, Ethiopia
| | - Fiseha Lemango
- SNNPR Public Health Institute, SNNPR Health Bureau, Hawassa, Sidama, Ethiopia
| | - Seyife Kibru
- School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Hawassa University, Hawassa, Sidama, Ethiopia
| | - Degu Taye
- Multisectoral HIV/AIDS Response Coordination, Sidama Regional Health Bureau, Hawassa, Sidama, Ethiopia
| | - Alelign Tadele
- Department of Laboratory, Hawassa Health Science College, Hawassa, Sidama, Ethiopia
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Haß W, Orth B, von Rüden U. [COVID-19 vaccination status, sources of used information and socio-demographic characteristics-results of the CoSiD study]. Bundesgesundheitsblatt Gesundheitsforschung Gesundheitsschutz 2023:10.1007/s00103-023-03736-x. [PMID: 37438645 PMCID: PMC10371914 DOI: 10.1007/s00103-023-03736-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite the benefits of a COVID-19 vaccination, too few people in Germany were still considered vaccinated in the summer of 2022. This was explained, among other factors, by socio-demographic differences. The article also analyses this correlation by including the sources of information used on corona vaccination based on the data from the third survey of the "Accompanying research on the communication of corona vaccination in Germany" (CoSiD study, Nov./Dec. 2021; n = 4366 16-year-olds and older). METHODS Bi- and multivariate correlations were analysed between the uptake of vaccination or the intention to vaccinate of the unvaccinated and socio-demographic characteristics as well as sources of information on COVID-19 vaccination. RESULTS Of the respondents, 87.7% have been vaccinated at least once. The vaccination rate tends to increase with age, education level and household income and is higher among people in the old federal states and without a migration background. The sources of information on COVID-19 vaccination were mostly discussions among family, friends and colleagues (81.8%) and German TV and radio stations (77.1%). In the multivariate model, higher proportions of people without vaccination intentions were found among respondents who obtained information from TV and radio stations from abroad as well as from social media. DISCUSSION Information offerings for specific target groups must take social inequalities even more into account. One challenge here is that the use of different information sources is related to different vaccination intentions. In particular, people with vaccination intentions and the undecided can be reached with easily understandable, trustworthy information offerings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wolfgang Haß
- Referat Q3 - Evaluation, Methoden, Forschungsdaten, Bundeszentrale für gesundheitliche Aufklärung (BZgA), Maarweg 149-161, 50825, Köln, Deutschland
- Referat G4 - Forschung und Qualitätssicherung, Bundeszentrale für gesundheitliche Aufklärung (BZgA), 50825, Köln, Deutschland
| | - Boris Orth
- Referat Q3 - Evaluation, Methoden, Forschungsdaten, Bundeszentrale für gesundheitliche Aufklärung (BZgA), Maarweg 149-161, 50825, Köln, Deutschland
| | - Ursula von Rüden
- Referat Q3 - Evaluation, Methoden, Forschungsdaten, Bundeszentrale für gesundheitliche Aufklärung (BZgA), Maarweg 149-161, 50825, Köln, Deutschland.
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Ledesma JR, Isaac CR, Dowell SF, Blazes DL, Essix GV, Budeski K, Bell J, Nuzzo JB. Evaluation of the Global Health Security Index as a predictor of COVID-19 excess mortality standardised for under-reporting and age structure. BMJ Glob Health 2023; 8:e012203. [PMID: 37414431 PMCID: PMC10335545 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2023-012203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies have observed that countries with the strongest levels of pandemic preparedness capacities experience the greatest levels of COVID-19 burden. However, these analyses have been limited by cross-country differentials in surveillance system quality and demographics. Here, we address limitations of previous comparisons by exploring country-level relationships between pandemic preparedness measures and comparative mortality ratios (CMRs), a form of indirect age standardisation, of excess COVID-19 mortality. METHODS We indirectly age standardised excess COVID-19 mortality, from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation modelling database, by comparing observed total excess mortality to an expected age-specific COVID-19 mortality rate from a reference country to derive CMRs. We then linked CMRs with data on country-level measures of pandemic preparedness from the Global Health Security (GHS) Index. These data were used as input into multivariable linear regression analyses that included income as a covariate and adjusted for multiple comparisons. We conducted a sensitivity analysis using excess mortality estimates from WHO and The Economist. RESULTS The GHS Index was negatively associated with excess COVID-19 CMRs (table 2; β= -0.21, 95% CI= -0.35 to -0.08). Greater capacities related to prevention (β= -0.11, 95% CI= -0.22 to -0.00), detection (β= -0.09, 95% CI= -0.19 to -0.00), response (β = -0.19, 95% CI= -0.36 to -0.01), international commitments (β= -0.17, 95% CI= -0.33 to -0.01) and risk environments (β= -0.30, 95% CI= -0.46 to -0.15) were each associated with lower CMRs. Results were not replicated using excess mortality models that rely more heavily on reported COVID-19 deaths (eg, WHO and The Economist). CONCLUSION The first direct comparison of COVID-19 excess mortality rates across countries accounting for under-reporting and age structure confirms that greater levels of preparedness were associated with lower excess COVID-19 mortality. Additional research is needed to confirm these relationships as more robust national-level data on COVID-19 impact become available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Ricardo Ledesma
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | | | - Scott F Dowell
- Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - David L Blazes
- Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | | | | | | | - Jennifer B Nuzzo
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
- Pandemic Center, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
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McConnell KH, Hajat A, Sack C, Mooney SJ, Khosropour CM. Association between any underlying health condition and COVID-19-associated hospitalization by age group, Washington State, 2020-2021: a retrospective cohort study. BMC Infect Dis 2023; 23:193. [PMID: 36997854 PMCID: PMC10062257 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-023-08146-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 04/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Presence of at least one underlying health condition (UHC) is positively associated with severe COVID-19, but there is limited research examining this association by age group, particularly among young adults. METHODS We examined age-stratified associations between any UHC and COVID-19-associated hospitalization using a retrospective cohort study of electronic health record data from the University of Washington Medicine healthcare system for adult patients with a positive SARS-CoV-2 test from February 29, 2020, to March 13, 2021. Any UHC was defined as documented diagnosis of at least one UHC identified by the CDC as a potential risk factor for severe COVID-19. Adjusting for sex, age, race and ethnicity, and health insurance, we estimated risk ratios (aRRs) and risk differences (aRDs), overall and by age group (18-39, 40-64, and 65 + years). RESULTS Among patients aged 18-39 (N = 3,249), 40-64 (N = 2,840), 65 + years (N = 1,363), and overall (N = 7,452), 57.5%, 79.4%, 89.4%, and 71.7% had at least one UHC, respectively. Overall, 4.4% of patients experienced COVID-19-associated hospitalization. For all age groups, the risk of COVID-19-associated hospitalization was greater for patients with any UHC vs. those without (18-39: 2.2% vs. 0.4%; 40-64: 5.6% vs. 0.3%; 65 + : 12.2% vs. 2.8%; overall: 5.9% vs. 0.6%). The aRR comparing patients with vs. those without UHCs was notably higher for patients aged 40-64 years (aRR [95% CI] for 18-39: 4.3 [1.8, 10.0]; 40-64: 12.9 [3.2, 52.5]; 65 + : 3.1 [1.2, 8.2]; overall: 5.3 [3.0, 9.6]). The aRDs increased across age groups (aRD [95% CI] per 1,000 SARS-CoV-2-positive persons for 18-39: 10 [2, 18]; 40-64: 43 [33, 54]; 65 + : 84 [51, 116]; overall: 28 [21, 35]). CONCLUSIONS Individuals with UHCs are at significantly increased risk of COVID-19-associated hospitalization regardless of age. Our findings support the prevention of severe COVID-19 in adults with UHCs in all age groups and in older adults aged 65 + years as ongoing local public health priorities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate H McConnell
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
| | - Anjum Hajat
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Coralynn Sack
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Stephen J Mooney
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
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Haritavorn N. 'Boat Quarantine': Lessons Learned from SARS-CoV-2 Prevention and Control Measures in Fishing Communities in Thailand. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2023; 20:4816. [PMID: 36981723 PMCID: PMC10049076 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20064816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 posed, and continues to pose, a severe threat to life, and for fishermen in Thailand, specific multifaceted quarantine design measures have been required. In response to the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak in Trat province, a community quarantine centre was designed using boats as quarantine facilities. This study examines the implementation of boat quarantine in response to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic within the fishermen communities in Trat province, Thailand. In-depth interviews with 45 key individuals who have been involved in the control and prevention of SARS-CoV-2 among fishermen in the fishing communities were subjected to a thematic analysis. Boat quarantine was used to separate and restrict contact between fishermen who were exposed to SARS-CoV-2, to determine whether they became sick and to prevent mass infection within the community. Using a boat as a place to self-isolate has become an effective form of quarantine for fishermen. This model has implications for the future of infectious disease control onshore, both while the pandemic continues and after the pandemic comes to an end.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niphattra Haritavorn
- Faculty of Public Health, Thammasat University (Rangsit Campus), Pathumthani 12120, Thailand
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Kada A, Chouikh A, Mellouli S, Prashad AJ, Straus SE, Fahim C. An exploration of Canadian government officials’ COVID-19 messages and the public’s reaction using social media data. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0273153. [PMID: 36054094 PMCID: PMC9439209 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0273153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Governments can use social media platforms such as Twitter to disseminate health information to the public, as evidenced during the COVID-19 pandemic [Pershad (2018)]. The purpose of this study is to gain a better understanding of Canadian government and public health officials’ use of Twitter as a dissemination platform during the pandemic and to explore the public’s engagement with and sentiment towards these messages. We examined the account data of 93 Canadian public health and government officials during the first wave of the pandemic in Canada (December 31, 2019 August 31, 2020). Our objectives were to: 1) determine the engagement rates of the public with Canadian federal and provincial/territorial governments and public health officials’ Twitter posts; 2) conduct a hashtag trend analysis to explore the Canadian public’s discourse related to the pandemic during this period; 3) provide insights on the public’s reaction to Canadian authorities’ tweets through sentiment analysis. To address these objectives, we extracted Twitter posts, replies, and associated metadata available during the study period in both English and French. Our results show that the public demonstrated increased engagement with federal officials’ Twitter accounts as compared to provincial/territorial accounts. For the hashtag trends analysis of the public discourse during the first wave of the pandemic, we observed a topic shift in the Canadian public discourse over time between the period prior to the first wave and the first wave of the pandemic. Additionally, we identified 11 sentiments expressed by the public when reacting to Canadian authorities’ tweets. This study illustrates the potential to leverage social media to understand public discourse during a pandemic. We suggest that routine analyses of such data by governments can provide governments and public health officials with real-time data on public sentiments during a public health emergency. These data can be used to better disseminate key messages to the public.
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Mehta AM, Murray S, Weeks CS. Communicating COVID-19 risk changes: Signalling with words, phrases, and messages. Int J Disaster Risk Reduct 2022; 77:103004. [PMID: 35578729 PMCID: PMC9093159 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijdrr.2022.103004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Revised: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
During COVID-19, governments issued messages to trigger action, encourage sustained behaviours (e.g., social distancing, hand hygiene), and manage system wide risk. This study examines messages issued across two stages established by the World Health Organization (WHO): (a) pre-pandemic early intervention stage and (b) within-pandemic escalation stage. In April 2020, approximately one month after COVID-19 was declared a pandemic, an experiment using a sample of 769 Australian participants was conducted. Using a between-subject design, participants assessed the way messages (curated and then expertly attributed to the two stages) were perceived and influenced behaviours. Next, it examined the power of words and phrases, selected from the same messages, for (a) their potential to signal risk, warning, and behavioural response and (b) the extent to which they reflected pandemic stages. Results showed that between the two stages, messages were differentiated by negative affect, assertiveness, and risk. Subsequently, increased negative affect, assertiveness, and risk indication increased adaptive behavioural intentions. However, increased assertiveness also increased non-adaptive behavioural intentions, though increased risk indication reduced non-adaptive behavioural intentions. Signal words and phrases, which hold potential as iconic features for biological hazard messages, showed varying performance across message stages, indicating an opportunity to improve them. Taken together, the findings contribute to academic and policy approaches for adapting communication to changing risk.
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Dickmann P, Strahwald B. [A new understanding of risk communication in public health emergencies]. Bundesgesundheitsblatt Gesundheitsforschung Gesundheitsschutz 2022; 65:545-551. [PMID: 35376977 PMCID: PMC8978486 DOI: 10.1007/s00103-022-03529-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Die Risikokommunikation öffentlicher Institutionen soll die Bevölkerung im Falle bestehender Risiken bei der Entscheidungsfindung unterstützen. In gesundheitlichen Notlagen wie der Coronavirus(SARS-CoV-2)-Pandemie spielt sie eine besonders wichtige Rolle. Bereits nach dem SARS-Ausbruch im Jahr 2003 hat die Weltgesundheitsorganisation (WHO) ihre Internationalen Gesundheitsvorschriften (IHR 2005) überarbeitet und gefordert, Risikokommunikation in allen Mitgliedsländern als einen Kernbereich in der Gesundheitspolitik zu etablieren. Während der gesundheitspolitische Akzent begrüßt wurde, konnten die Möglichkeiten der Risikokommunikation in diesem Bereich bisher nicht voll ausgeschöpft werden. Gründe sind u. a. Unstimmigkeiten im Begriffsverständnis der Risikokommunikation und die Vielzahl zur Verfügung stehender Methoden. Der vorliegende Diskussionsartikel soll dazu beitragen, ein neues Verständnis von Risikokommunikation in Public-Health-Notlagen (Emergency Risk Communication – ERC) zu etablieren. Es wird vorgeschlagen, neben den Risiken die Chancen der Krise stärker einzubeziehen und Risikokommunikation noch mehr als einen kontinuierlichen Prozess zu begreifen, der an verschiedenen Stellen optimierbar ist. Der Earlier-Faster-Smoother-Smarter-Ansatz und hierbei insbesondere die frühere Erkennung von Gesundheitsgefahren (Earlier) könnten das Management von Public-Health-Notlagen zukünftig unterstützen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petra Dickmann
- Klinik für Anästhesiologie und Intensivmedizin - Public Health Hub, Universitätsklinikum Jena, Am Klinikum 1, 07747, Jena, Deutschland.
| | - Brigitte Strahwald
- Pettenkofer School of Public Health, Institut für medizinische Informationsverarbeitung, Biometrie und Epidemiologie - IBE, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, München, Deutschland
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Vandenhaute H, Gellynck X, De Steur H. COVID-19 Safety Measures in the Food Service Sector: Consumers’ Attitudes and Transparency Perceptions at Three Different Stages of the Pandemic. Foods 2022; 11:foods11060810. [PMID: 35327233 PMCID: PMC8947567 DOI: 10.3390/foods11060810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 03/05/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The food service sector was among the hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to examine consumers’ attitudes towards and transparency perceptions of COVID-19-related safety measures and to identify determinants of consumers’ intentions and behaviour regarding visiting restaurants and bars once reopened. By also surveying food service businesses, this study allows for comparison between both target groups. A total of 1697 consumers and 780 businesses participated in this study, conducted in Belgium both during and in between waves of infections. The findings demonstrate that consumers evaluated safety measures as important when revisiting restaurants and bars, against business owners’ expectations. Both consumers’ revisit intentions and behaviours are influenced by the perceived importance of hygiene measures (negatively) and past visit frequency (positively). This study highlights the importance of good compliance with safety measures as a strategy to attract customers during the reopening period. Further, our findings emphasize the importance of transparent communication by food service businesses and the government.
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