Risk communication on behavioral responses during COVID-19 among general population in China: A rapid national study - 08/12/20

Doi : 10.1016/j.jinf.2020.10.031

Xiaomin Wang ^a , Leesa Lin ^b , Ziming Xuan ^c , Jiayao Xu ^a , Yuling Wan ^d, Xudong Zhou ^a,^⁎
^a Institute of Social Medicine, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou 310058, China
^b Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7TH, UK
^c Department of Community Health Sciences, Boston University School of Public Health, 801 Massachusetts Ave, Boston, MA 02118, USA
^d School of Public Health, Dalian Medical University, 9 West Section of Lvshun South Road, Dalian 116044, China

^⁎Corresponding author.

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Highlights

•	Exposed to risk communication messages were positively associated with engaging in preventive behaviors.
•	Believing in misinformation were negatively associated with wearing masks.
•	Inadequate supplies of personal protection materials were negatively associated with outdoor hygiene behaviors.

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Abstract

Objectives

To describe the risk perception and behavioral responses among Chinese adults and to assess the associations of risk communication, risk perception, and behavioral adherence during the COVID-19 epidemic.

Methods

A national cross-sectional survey was conducted in 31 provinces in China with a total number of 5039 effective questionnaires collected. The questionnaire included sociodemographic characteristics, COVID-19 risk communication factors, mask and soap supply, and engagement in preventive behaviors during the epidemic. Multivariable Logistic regression was used.

Results

An overwhelmingly high prevalence of Chinese people was exposed to COVID-19 related risk communication messages (86.5%) and an overwhelming majority of respondents reported engagement in preventive behaviors (88.3%). Exposed to risk communication messages were positively associated with engaging in preventive behaviors, whereas, believing in misinformation were negatively associated with wearing masks when in public (p < 0.01). Respondents encountered an inadequate supplies of personal protection materials were negatively associated with their outdoor hygiene behaviors. People who were male, in an older age group, minorities, with lower education, with lower income, and lived in rural area showed lower exposures to risk communication messages.

Conclusions

Future risk communication practices are recommended to better monitor population risk perceptions and pay attention to socio-demographically disadvantaged people.

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Keywords : COVID-19, China, Risk communication, Preventive behaviors, Misinformation