Preventive Behavioral Responses to the 2015 Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Outbreak in Korea

Won Mo Jang, Sanghyun Cho, Deok Hyun Jang, Un-Na Kim, Hyemin Jung, Jin Yong Lee and Sang Jun Eun
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Won Mo Jang: Health Review and Assessment Committee, Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, Wonju 26465, Korea
Sanghyun Cho: Department of Health Policy and Management, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
Deok Hyun Jang: Research Analytics & Communication, Gallup Korea, Seoul 03167, Korea
Un-Na Kim: Bureau of Health Policy, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Sejong 30113, Korea
Hyemin Jung: Health Review and Assessment Committee, Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, Wonju 26465, Korea
Jin Yong Lee: Department of Health Policy and Management, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
Sang Jun Eun: Department of Preventive Medicine, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon 35015, Korea

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 12, 1-11

Abstract: This study examined the public’s preventive behavioral responses during the 2015 Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) outbreak in Korea and the influencing factors. Two cross-sectional telephone surveys were conducted by Gallup Korea using random digit dialing in June 2015 ( n = 2004). The main outcome variables were nonpharmaceutical preventive measures (survey (1): Measures for reducing transmission (handwashing, face masks); and survey (2): Measures for avoiding contact with others). Multiple logistic regression was used to identify the factors influencing preventive behaviors. In survey (1), 60.3% of respondents reported more frequent handwashing and 15.5% reported wearing face masks at least once due to the MERS-CoV epidemic. In survey (2), 41–56% of respondents reported practicing avoidance measures. The concerned group was more likely to practice reducing transmission measures (odds ratio (OR) 4.5; 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.3–6.1) and avoidance measures (OR = 9.6; 95% CI, 6.4–14.4). The respondents who had low trust in president or ruling party had a higher practice rate of reducing transmission measures (OR = 1.7; 95% CI, 1.2–2.6) and avoidance measures (OR = 2.1; 95% CI, 1.2–3.5). Cooperative prevention measures need appropriated public concern based on effective risk communication.

Keywords: Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus; disease prevention and control; disease outbreaks; health survey (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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