Public perceptions, individual characteristics, and preventive behaviors for COVID-19 in six countries: a cross-sectional study.
10.1186/s12199-021-00952-2
- Author:
Ryosuke FUJII
1
;
Kensuke SUZUKI
2
;
Junichiro NIIMI
3
Author Information
1. Department of Preventive Medical Sciences, Fujita Health University School of Medical Sciences, 1-98 Dengakugakubo, Kutsukake-cho, Toyoake, 470-1192, Japan. rfujii@fujita-hu.ac.jp.
2. Department of Economics, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA.
3. Department of Business Management, Meijo University, 1-501 Shiogamaguchi, Tempaku-ku, Nagoya, 468-8502, Japan.
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Avoiding social gatherings;
COVID-19;
Handwashing;
Preventive behavior;
Public perception;
Wearing a mask
- MeSH:
Adolescent;
Adult;
Aged;
Attitude to Health;
COVID-19/psychology*;
Cross-Sectional Studies;
Female;
Hand Disinfection;
Health Behavior;
Humans;
Male;
Masks;
Middle Aged;
Physical Distancing;
SARS-CoV-2;
Self Report;
Social Conformity;
Young Adult
- From:Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine
2021;26(1):29-29
- CountryJapan
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND:Public perceptions and personal characteristics are heterogeneous between countries and subgroups, which may have different impacts on health-protective behaviors during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. To assess whether self-reported perceptions of COVID-19 and personal characteristics are associated with protective behaviors among general adults and to compare patterns in six different countries.
METHODS:This cross-sectional study uses the secondary data collected through an online survey between 15 and 23 April 2020 across six countries (China, Italy, Japan, Korea, the UK, and the USA). A total of 5945 adults aged 18 years or older were eligible for our analysis. A logistic regression model was used to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) of three recommended behaviors (wearing a mask, handwashing, and avoiding social gatherings).
RESULTS:In most countries except for China, the participants who perceived wearing a mask as being extremely effective to curtail the pandemic were more likely to wear a mask (OR, 95%CI: Italy: 4.14, 2.08-8.02; Japan: 3.59, 1.75-7.30; Korea: 7.89, 1.91-31.63: UK: 9.23, 5.14-17.31; USA: 4.81, 2.61-8.92). Those who perceived that handwashing was extremely effective had higher ORs of this preventive behavior (OR, 95%CI: Italy: 16.39, 3.56-70.18; Japan: 12.24, 4.03-37.35; Korea: 12.41, 2.02-76.39; UK: 18.04, 2.60-152.78; USA: 10.56, 2.21-44.32). The participants who perceived avoiding social gathering as being extremely effective to curtail the pandemic were more likely to take this type of preventive behavior (OR, 95%CI: China: 3.79, 1.28-10.23; Korea: 6.18, 1.77-20.60; UK: 4.45, 1.63-11.63; USA: 4.34, 1.84-9.95). The associations between personal characteristics, living environment, psychological status, and preventive behaviors varied across different countries. Individuals who changed their behavior because of recommendations from doctors/public health officials were more likely to take preventive behaviors in many countries.
CONCLUSIONS:These findings suggest that higher perceived effectiveness may be a common factor to encourage preventive behaviors in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. These results may provide a better understanding of the homogeneity and heterogeneity of factors related to preventive behaviors and improve public health policies in various countries and groups.
