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Abourashed A, de Best PA, Doornekamp L, Sikkema RS, van Gorp ECM, Timen A, Bartumeus F, Palmer JRB, Koopmans MPG. Development and validation of the MosquitoWise survey to assess perceptions towards mosquitoes and mosquito-borne viruses in Europe. Sci Rep 2024; 14:1777. [PMID: 38245571 PMCID: PMC10799950 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-52219-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Due to climate change and the expanding geographical ranges of key mosquito species, several mosquito-borne viruses (MBVs) have recently emerged in Europe. Understanding people's perceptions and behaviours towards these viruses and the mosquitoes capable of transmitting them is crucial for implementing effective prevention measures and targeted communication campaigns. However, there is currently no appropriate validated survey for European populations to assess this. This study developed and validated a standardized survey, based on the Health Belief Model (HBM), to assess perceptions of mosquitoes and MBVs among Europe's residents. The survey was distributed online to United Kingdom (UK), Dutch and Spanish participants through panel providers. Survey validity and reliability were tested using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and Cronbach's alpha. The optimised survey was completed by 336 UK, 438 Dutch and 475 Spanish residents, respectively, and the HBM items passed our validity and reliability testing in all three countries. The final survey has 57 questions, including 19 validated HBM items, and questions to assess demographic characteristics, knowledge, prevention measures and behavioural determinants. Our MosquitoWise survey bridges researchers' understandings of European residents' perceptions and knowledge as a first step to improve preventive behaviour towards mosquitoes and MBVs and guide prevention and communication initiatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayat Abourashed
- Viroscience, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, 3015 GD, The Netherlands.
- Centre d'Estudis Avançats de Blanes (CEAB-CSIC), 17300, Blanes, Spain.
| | - Pauline A de Best
- Viroscience, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, 3015 GD, The Netherlands
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, 3721 MA, The Netherlands
| | - Laura Doornekamp
- Viroscience, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, 3015 GD, The Netherlands
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, 3015 GD, The Netherlands
| | - Reina S Sikkema
- Viroscience, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, 3015 GD, The Netherlands
- Centre for Avian Migration, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Wageningen, 6708 PB, The Netherlands
| | - Eric C M van Gorp
- Viroscience, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, 3015 GD, The Netherlands
| | - Aura Timen
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, 3721 MA, The Netherlands
- Department of Primary and Community Care, RadboudUMC, Nijmegen, 6525 GA, The Netherlands
- Athena Institute, VU University, Amsterdam, 1081 HV, The Netherlands
| | - Frederic Bartumeus
- Centre d'Estudis Avançats de Blanes (CEAB-CSIC), 17300, Blanes, Spain
- Centre de Recerca Ecològica i Aplicacions Forestals (CREAF), 08193, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
- Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), 08010, Barcelona, Spain
| | - John R B Palmer
- Department of Political and Social Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 08005, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marion P G Koopmans
- Viroscience, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, 3015 GD, The Netherlands
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Has Zika Been Forgotten? Findings From Nationwide Survey on Knowledge, Attitudes, and Mosquito Preventive Practices in Malaysia. Disaster Med Public Health Prep 2022; 17:e131. [PMID: 35400356 DOI: 10.1017/dmp.2022.40] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to assess knowledge and attitudes toward Zika virus disease (ZVD) as well as mosquito prevention practices in Malaysia at a nationwide level. METHODS Computer-assisted telephone interviews (CATI) were conducted between June 2019 and February 2020. RESULTS There are gaps in knowledge about the symptoms, mode of transmission, and risk of microcephaly. The mean for the Zika-related knowledge score was 5.9 (SD ± 4.4) out of a possible score of 14. The majority perceived little or no risk of getting ZVD (75.0%) and 75.5% were a little or not at all worried about ZVD. A high proportion reported the use of insect sprays or mosquito coils to prevent mosquito bites; however, a relatively lower proportion of people reported fixing mosquito netting on doors and windows, and using mosquito bed nets. The mean for the mosquito prevention practices score was 11.9 (SD ± 4.7) out of a possible score of 27. Important factors influencing mosquito prevention practices include household income, environment factors, risk perception, and Zika-related knowledge. CONCLUSION Zika prevention measures should be targeted in priority toward residents in lower socioeconomic neighborhoods. Campaigns should focus on messages highlighting the high risk of getting dengue.
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Führer A, Frese T, Karch A, Mau W, Meyer G, Richter M, Schildmann J, Steckelberg A, Wagner K, Mikolajczyk R. [COVID-19: Knowledge, risk perception and strategies for handling the pandemic]. ZEITSCHRIFT FUR EVIDENZ, FORTBILDUNG UND QUALITAT IM GESUNDHEITSWESEN 2020; 153-154:32-38. [PMID: 32601024 PMCID: PMC7294294 DOI: 10.1016/j.zefq.2020.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Revised: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In order to stem the spread of an epidemic, widespread adherence to safety measures and their acceptance within the German population are of key importance. This survey examines the levels of knowledge and the perception of risk within the population and analyses implementation and adherence to the recommended and legally mandated safety measures in the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS In March 2020, participants registered on the HeReCa-Online-Panel from Saxony-Anhalt, Berlin and Schleswig Holstein were invited to complete a 65-question survey. RESULTS 1048 respondents answered the questionnaire, which amounts to a response of 3.5%. 83% of respondents stated that they felt themselves to be well-informed or very well-informed concerning COVID-19 and the coronavirus. The majority of respondents reported fears for the well-being of family members (60%) or the health of the German population as a whole (45%); 79% reported concerns regarding adverse economic impacts. 79% of respondents have implemented individual protective measures, such as reducing social contacts and maintaining the recommended physical distance in public spaces. Most respondents regarded the government-mandated safety measures as predominantly reasonable and appropriate. CONCLUSIONS In the early phase of the pandemic, most people kept themselves informed about of COVID-19 and started to take individual measures for risk reduction. Acceptance of governmental measures to stem the spread of the pandemic was high.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amand Führer
- Institut für Medizinische Epidemiologie, Biometrie und Informatik, Profilzentrum Gesundheitswissenschaften, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Deutschland.
| | - Thomas Frese
- Institut für Allgemeinmedizin, Profilzentrum Gesundheitswissenschaften, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Deutschland
| | - Andre Karch
- Institut für Epidemiologie und Sozialmedizin, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Münster, Deutschland
| | - Wilfried Mau
- Institut für Rehabilitationsmedizin, Profilzentrum Gesundheitswissenschaften, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Deutschland
| | - Gabriele Meyer
- Institut für Gesundheits- und Pflegewissenschaft, Profilzentrum Gesundheitswissenschaften, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Deutschland
| | - Matthias Richter
- Institut für Medizinische Soziologie, Profilzentrum Gesundheitswissenschaften, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Deutschland
| | - Jan Schildmann
- Institut für Geschichte und Ethik der Medizin, Profilzentrum Gesundheitswissenschaften, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Deutschland
| | - Anke Steckelberg
- Institut für Gesundheits- und Pflegewissenschaft, Profilzentrum Gesundheitswissenschaften, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Deutschland
| | - Karoline Wagner
- Institut für Medizinische Epidemiologie, Biometrie und Informatik, Profilzentrum Gesundheitswissenschaften, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Deutschland
| | - Rafael Mikolajczyk
- Institut für Medizinische Epidemiologie, Biometrie und Informatik, Profilzentrum Gesundheitswissenschaften, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Deutschland
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Johnson BB. Americans' Views of Voluntary Protective Actions Against Zika Infection: Conceptual and Measurement Issues. RISK ANALYSIS : AN OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE SOCIETY FOR RISK ANALYSIS 2019; 39:2694-2717. [PMID: 31339584 DOI: 10.1111/risa.13378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2019] [Revised: 05/16/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Understanding factors affecting decisions by people to protect themselves, or not, is critical to designing supportive communications. Here, threat, protective-action, and stakeholder perceptions were evaluated for effects on mainland Americans' behavioral intentions regarding Zika in April 2017, as postulated by the Protective Action Decision Model. Although all three perception types (including a novel resource sufficiency measure) affected intentions, these relationships varied widely depending upon the method used to measure adoption of actions (e.g., total count of all behaviors adopted vs. behavior-specific analyses), the behaviors involved, and whether analysis focused on the full sample or only on people who had a reasonable opportunity to enact the behavior or who believed it relevant to their lives. There was a general contrast between mosquito control actions (removal of mosquito breeding areas and pesticide spraying) and travel-related behaviors (avoiding travel to areas of local transmission of the virus, protecting oneself from mosquito bites after potential exposure, and practicing safe sex after potential exposure). Reported action or inaction during the 2016 mosquito season, and stages of behavior change, were both elicited in January-February 2017; both drove intentions in April 2017 for the upcoming season, although direct and indirect effects varied widely. Collectively these findings present theoretical, measurement, and practical implications for understanding, tracking, and promoting voluntary protective actions against hazards.
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