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Demographic characteristics of respondents in each region (survey 1, August 2009)

Demographic characteristics of respondents in each region (survey 1, August 2009)

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Article
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Over the past years, Q fever has become a major public health problem in the Netherlands, with a peak of 2,357 human cases in 2009. In the first instance, Q fever was mainly a local problem of one province with a high density of large dairy goat farms, but in 2009 an alarming increase of Q fever cases was observed in adjacent provinces. The aim of...

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... these, 932 completed both follow-up surveys. Significant differences were observed in the sex, age, education, employment, and marital status of participants in different regions; in the low incidence re- gion a higher proportion of female, younger aged, higher educated, employed and single respondents participated compared to the high and intermediate incidence regions (Table 1). Univariate logistic regression analyses showed that sex, age, education, and employment status were sta- tistically significant determinants (p < 0.05) in the majority of outcome variables, but not marital status. ...

Citations

... The "Standard questionnaire on risk perception of an infectious disease outbreak" was tailored to address COVID-19 and was translated into the different predominant languages spoken in the center (19). This tool was designed to study risk perceptions associated with the outbreak of infectious disease and has been used in many previous studies (20,21). ...
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Despite the “migrants and COVID-19” topic has been neglected since felt marginal concerning other aspects of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, it represents a relevant public health issue in the European countries. This report describes COVID-19 containment strategies adopted in a large Italian reception center hosting recently arrived asylum-seeker migrants. Risk assessment and prevention measures adopted were described. Geo-spatial epidemiological analysis of the outbreak was reported. Significant gaps in the knowledge of self-protection measures from contagious diseases and in the perception of the pandemic risk were observed in migrants; health promotion activities, targeted to remove cultural barriers and improve behaviors appropriate to individual protection, were able to fulfill this gap. In low-resource settings, especially in closed communities, the implementation of social distancing strategies, the systematic use of individual protection devices, and active syndromic surveillance are essential tools to limit the risk of outbreaks. In the event of an outbreak, it is relevant to rapidly activate containment procedures based on systematic screening, isolation, and quarantine, taking into consideration the limits of tracing contacts within a closed community. Not being able to trace certain contacts, the geo-spatial epidemiological analysis of cases distribution could be key in the management of the outbreak. Interestingly, positive cases identified in our facility were all clinically pauci-symptomatic or asymptomatic. Dedicated strategies are needed to minimize the chance of SARS-CoV-2 transmission in a limited space such as reception centers and a vulnerable population such as migrants.
... The second section was the "Standard questionnaire on risk perception of an infectious disease outbreak," which was designed by the Municipal Public Health Service Rotterdam-Rijnmond, together with the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment in the Netherlands [32]. This tool was designed to study risk perceptions associated with the outbreak of infectious disease and has been used in many previous studies [33,34]. The generic questionnaire was tailored to address COVID-19 and was then translated into Arabic, which is the predominant language of the study sample in the chosen countries. ...
Article
Background People’s perceptions of pandemic-associated risk are key factors contributing to increased public participation in disease preventive measures. The aim of the study was to investigate risk perceptions regarding the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, among the general population. A descriptive, cross-sectional design was used with a convenience sample of 723 participants, recruited from the general population of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Jordan. Data collection was performed using a standardized risk perception assessment questionnaire, in April 2020. Results The mean score for the perception of COVID-19 seriousness was significantly higher and the mean scores for the perception of disease susceptibility and extent of anxiety were also higher among Saudi Arabian participants than participants from Egypt and Jordan. Participants from Egypt had significantly lower mean scores for the perception of efficacy and self-efficacy to cope with COVID-19, and significantly lower intention to comply with COVID-19 precautionary measures than the other populations. A significant positive correlation was detected between the perception of COVID-19 seriousness and self-efficacy to handle COVID-19, for the entire sample. The primary reasons reported by participants driving their willingness to perform certain preventive measures against COVID-19 was a feeling of responsibility toward their own health, followed by preventing transmission to other people and the feeling that COVID-19 can be serious. Most of the study sample reported a desire to receive information about COVID-19 treatment, ways to prevent disease contraction, and the incubation period for the novel coronavirus. Also, most of the study sample reported that they prefer receiving COVID-19 updates from national authorities. Conclusions During the COVID-19 pandemic, communications designed to promote the adoption of preventive behaviors should focus on increasing the perception of seriousness, the risk perception, self-efficacy to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic, and the effectiveness of the adopted behavioral measures for reducing risk. Health education programs that are tailored to various sociodemographic categories, to improve public awareness, perceptions, and attitudes, are vital for increasing the adoption of outbreak preventive measures.
... In accordance with this, we believe that the aforementioned modes of transmission were presented in the majority of patients in our study. Findings of other authors across European countries also confirmed these observations [45]. ...
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Introduction. The aim of this study was to determine the epidemiological characteristics of the most common zoonoses in the Central Banat District of Vojvodina. Material and Methods. A descriptive epidemiological study was conducted using data of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the Institute of Public Health of Vojvodina and Public Health Institute Zrenjanin. The data for this study were collected from January 1, 2002 to December 31, 2016. Results. Apart from Q fever, which showed a stable incidence, the trend of incidence rates of other two zoonoses decreased between 2002 and 2016. Q fever was three times more common in males than females, while the incidence of males and females was similar among patients with Trichinellosis and Salmonellosis. Regarding the age distribution, the highest average incidence rate (12/100,000) of Trichinellosis was reported in patients aged 20–39 years; Salmonellosis predominated among patients aged 0–19 years (64.6/100,000), and Q fever in the 20–39 age group (9.2/100,000). Pork products were the most common source of outbreaks of Trichinellosis, while cakes and cookies were the most common source of outbreaks of Salmonelloses. Out of 92 interviewed patients with Q fever, 50 (54.3%) had a direct daily contact with their domestic animals during the maximum incubation period. Conclusion. In order to improve evaluation of epidemiological characteristics of the most common zoonoses and consequently their control in a timely manner, efficient exchange of information between health sectors for humans and animals is necessary, along with continuous education of food handlers and the general population of the Central Banat District of Vojvodina.
... A study focused on regional differences in public perceptions regarding Q-fever found that this epidemic caused increased perceived anxiety and preventive behavior among subjects living in regions with high Q-fever incidence. 29 The observed association with pig farms could possibly be explained by odor annoyance. Pig farms emit more offensive odor in comparison with cattle and poultry farms. ...
... 20 The Q-fever outbreak in the study area between 2007 and 2010 is likely to have contributed to our study population's concerns on emerging zoonotic infections. 28,29,38 Strengths of our study are our large, population-based sample and the low amount of missing data on the attitude statements. Both self-reported and objectively assessed data on respiratory health were available; this enabled us to compare associations with attitude and to explore awareness bias. ...
Article
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Attitudes toward environmental risks may be a source of bias in environmental health studies because concerns about environmental hazards may influence self-reported outcomes. Objective: The main aim was to assess whether earlier observed associations between proximity to goat farms and self-reported pneumonia were biased by participants' attitude toward farming. Methods: We developed an attitude-score for 2,457 participants of the Dutch Livestock Farming and Neighbouring Residents' Health Study (veehouderij en gezondheid omwonenden) by factor analysis of 13 questionnaire items related to attitude toward livestock farming. Linear regression analysis was used to assess associations between attitude and potential determinants. The effect of attitude on the association between goat farm proximity and pneumonia was analyzed by evaluating (1) misclassification of the outcome, (2) effect modification by attitude, and (3) exclusion of participants reporting health problems due to farms in their environment. Results: In general, the study population had a positive attitude toward farming, especially if participants were more familiar with farming. Older participants, females, ex-smokers, and higher-educated individuals had a more negative attitude. Both self-reported respiratory symptoms and exposure to livestock farms were associated with a more negative attitude. Misclassification of self-reported pneumonia was nondifferential with regard to participants' attitude. Furthermore, no indication was found that the association between proximity to goat farms and pneumonia was modified by attitude. Excluding subjects who attributed their health symptoms to livestock farms did also not change the association. Conclusions: The association between goat farm proximity and pneumonia was not substantially biased by study participants' attitude toward livestock farming.
... A study focused on regional differences in public perceptions regarding Q-fever found that this epidemic caused increased perceived anxiety and preventive behavior among subjects living in regions with high Q-fever incidence. 29 The observed association with pig farms could possibly be explained by odor annoyance. Pig farms emit more offensive odor in comparison with cattle and poultry farms. ...
... 20 The Q-fever outbreak in the study area between 2007 and 2010 is likely to have contributed to our study population's concerns on emerging zoonotic infections. 28,29,38 Strengths of our study are our large, population-based sample and the low amount of missing data on the attitude statements. Both self-reported and objectively assessed data on respiratory health were available; this enabled us to compare associations with attitude and to explore awareness bias. ...
... The effectiveness of preventive and control measures depend on the behaviour of people and their trust and willingness to adhere to advised measures [11]. Studies on public perception and preventive behaviour during outbreaks of infectious diseases have shown that perceptions influence the attitude and reaction towards advised control measures and related outbreak response [12][13][14][15][16]. Providing accurate and up-to-date information is important to ensure that the public has a realistic sense of vulnerability regarding the risk of infection. ...
... The questionnaire was based on the constructs of perceived severity and susceptibility from The Health Belief Model and the Protection Motivation Theory [20] and on questionnaires used during previous outbreaks of infectious diseases (e.g. Salmonella, Influenza (H1N1), Q fever and SARS) [12][13][14][15][16]. ...
... The knowledge construct consisted of fifteen statements, for which each correctly answered statement received a score of 1. A sum score was computed for assessing the knowledge level (ranging from 0 to 15, where 0 is no knowledge and 15 is full knowledge), which was then subsequently categorized into three categories: low (score 0-6), average (score 7-10) and high (score [11][12][13][14][15]. The variables assessing how often and where the respondents saw, heard or read about the outbreak of Ebola in West Africa were dichotomized and computed into a new variable indicating the use of the various sources (where 0 indicated an use of less than once a week, and 1 indicated an use of once a week or more frequently). ...
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Background: The Ebola outbreak in West-Africa triggered risk communication activities to promote adequate preventive behaviour in the Netherlands. Our study investigated the level of knowledge, perceptions, and media use regarding Ebola. Methods: In December 2014, an online questionnaire was administered to the Dutch population (n = 526) and Health Care Workers (HCW) (n = 760). Results: The mean knowledge score (range 0-15) of HCW (m = 13.3;SD = 1.4) was significantly higher than the general public (m = 10.8;SD = 2.0). No significant difference was found in perceived severity and susceptibility. Perceived fear of the general public (m = 2.5; SD = 0.8) was significantly higher than among HCW (m = 2.4; SD = 0.7). Respondents primarily used television to obtain information. Conclusions: While Ebola was perceived severe, it did not lead to excessive fear or perceived susceptibility for developing the disease. Nonetheless, our research showed that knowledge with respect to human-to-human transmission is low, while this is crucial to complying with preventive measures. Our study reveals priorities for improving risk communication.
... 17,18 Cases were found to be residing within close proximity to the farms (5 km radius) that were thought to be the primary source of infection precipitated by the dry weather aerosolizing C. burnetti. 17,19,20 This demonstrates the necessity for surveillance and active case finding in the area surrounding an abattoir. It is important to note that only looking for symptomatic cases may grossly underestimate the number of exposures associated with an outbreak as was demonstrated by the Dutch experience. ...
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Background: In September 2015, the Public Health Unit of the South Western Sydney Local Health District was notified of two possible Q fever cases. Case investigation identified that both cases were employed at an abattoir, and both cases advised that co-workers had experienced similar symptoms. Public Health Unit staff also recalled interviewing in late 2014 at least one other Q fever case who worked at the same abattoir. This prompted an outbreak investigation. Methods: The investigation incorporated active case finding, microbiological analysis, field investigation and a risk factor survey. Included cases were laboratory definitive or suspected cases occurring from October 2014 to October 2015, residing or working in south-western Sydney. A suspected case had clinically compatible illness, high-risk exposure and was epidemiologically linked to another confirmed case. A confirmed case included laboratory detection of C. burnetii. Results: Eight cases met the case definition with seven confirmed (including a deceased case) and one suspected. The eight cases were all males who had been employed at an abattoir in south-western Sydney during their incubation period; symptom onset dates ranged from November 2014 to September 2015. Field investigation identified multiple potential risk factors at the abattoir, and the majority (75%) of employees were not vaccinated against Q fever despite this high-risk setting. Conclusion: This cluster of Q fever in a single abattoir confirms the significance of this zoonotic disease as an occupational hazard among persons working in high-risk environments. Implementation of Q fever vaccination programmes should eliminate Q fever in high-risk occupational settings.
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BACKGROUND: Infectious disease outbreaks account for significant global costs in human lives, social implications, and financial burden. It is considered possible to minimise the consequences of catastrophic viral outbreaks through advance preparation and effective communication. To prepare effectively, it is important to understand the political, social, economic and cultural factors that impact on the epidemic spread and shape human responses and action. Despite the capacity of human emotions to influence all these issues, they have been largely neglected in public health. AIM: To ascertain if there are emotional determinants impacting population responses to infectious diseases outbreaks and understand how such emotions are influenced by the social and wider determinants related to the local context where outbreaks emerge. METHODS: A systematic review that explores the differences in public responses by emotion, infection, outcome and region, and five in-depth case studies of infectious diseases outbreaks at a national level to understand how responses are shaped by the local and global context of the time. FINDINGS: There are emotional determinants that influence public responses to epidemics and pandemics and impact on the uptake of interventions. To improve the effectiveness of public health communications in the face of emerging outbreaks, certain important messages emerged in my research, including the need to disrupt the power dynamics of “top-down” communications, build trust between global and local actors (as well as with governments), and harness the potential role of traditional media and social media for good and connection. Which emotions are evoked through public health communications is also important, as fear and panic were shown to be counterproductive in promoting uptake of interventions, but worry and empathy emerged as key motivators for action. CONCLUSIONS: Both in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and for future emerging infectious diseases outbreaks, emotions need to be considered in crisis communications.
Article
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Complex mechanisms exist between public risk perception, emotions, and coping behaviors during health emergencies. To unravel the relationship between these three phenomena, a meta-analytic approach was employed in this study. Using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis 3.0, 81 papers were analyzed after selection. The results of the meta-analysis showed that (1) risk perception (perceived severity, perceived susceptibility) and negative emotions (especially fear) are both correlated with coping behaviors; (2) risk perception is strongly correlated with fear and moderately correlated with anxiety; and (3) anxiety predicts the adoption of coping behaviors. The existing research provided an empirical basis for implementing effective coping behavior interventions and implied that management decisionmakers need to consider reasonable interventions through multiple channels to maintain the public’s risk perception and emotions within appropriate levels. Finally, future research directions are suggested.
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Background: To reduce Covid-19 infection, the government of Kenya through the Ministry of Health has had a number of strategies proposed, including knowledge training for prevention and control, isolation, disinfection, categorized protections at various levels in infection regions, and protection of both suspected and confirmed cases. Objectives: The goal of this study was to determine the general community's understanding, attitude, and practice of COVID-19 in relation to risk perception. Methods: Across-sectional study was conducted in the Ikolomani Subcounty of Kakamega County, Kenya in the year 2020. To collect data, the Questionnaire contained two segments. The first segment included a sociodemographic data collection set that included age, gender, marital status, and educational level, followed by a standard questionaire on risk perception of an infectious disease outbreak, and finally a perception interview. The Questionnaire was administered to the target population via interview while adhering to the Covid 19 Precautions. Frequency and Percentage were used to summarize continuous variables. The quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS Version 25.0, and the qualitative data was analyzed using thematic content analysis. Results: The findings revealed that 33% of respondents were between the ages of 18 and 29 and were unconcerned about Covid-19. On the other side, the results suggest that covid-19 was a major concern for 25% (60) of the respondents. Covid-19 is considered to be more harmful than other disorders by 29 percent of responders. The findings also revealed that 24 percent of respondents aged 40 to 50 are more likely to contract covid-19. The study also revealed that 26 percent of respondents will reduce their risk of contracting covid-19 by limiting their visits to friends and family outside the home, while 22 percent will try to keep a two-meter distance from others when outside.33% of respondents aged 40-49 wore face masks, 30% of respondents aged 40-49 washed their hands, and 100% of respondents aged 50-59 were maintaining physical distance and disinfecting objects and surfaces. Prayer is used by 67 percent of responders aged 60 and up. The researcher was also interested in learning about some of the obstacles that respondents were facing in their efforts to prevent covid-19. According to the findings, 24% of respondents aged 18 to 49 lacked the financial means to purchase personal protection equipment, while 24% of those aged 40 to 49 struggled with social and cultural practices and acceptance. The responders had varied knowledge, a positive attitude, and sensible behaviours when it came to COVID-19. Conclusion: During the COVID-19 pandemic, messages aimed at encouraging the adoption of preventive behaviors should include enhancing the perception of severity, risk perception, self-efficacy to deal with the pandemic, and the success of the behavioral measures chosen for risk reduction. Health education programs customized to specific sociodemographic groups are critical for boosting the adoption of outbreak prevention measures by raising public awareness, perceptions, and attitudes.