The Rapid Adaptation and Optimisation of a Digital Behaviour-Change Intervention to Reduce the Spread of COVID-19 in Schools

Georgia Treneman-Evans, Becky Ali, James Denison-Day, Tara Clegg, Lucy Yardley, Sarah Denford and Rosie Essery
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Georgia Treneman-Evans: Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1QU, UK
Becky Ali: Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1QU, UK
James Denison-Day: Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1QU, UK
Tara Clegg: Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1QU, UK
Lucy Yardley: Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1QU, UK
Sarah Denford: Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1QU, UK
Rosie Essery: Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1QU, UK

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 11, 1-22

Abstract: The rapid transmission of COVID-19 in school communities has been a major concern. To ensure that mitigation systems were in place and support was available, a digital intervention to encourage and facilitate infection-control behaviours was rapidly adapted and optimised for implementation as a whole-school intervention. Using the person-based approach, ‘Germ Defence’ was iteratively adapted, guided by relevant literature, co-production with Patient and Public Involvement representatives, and think-aloud interviews with forty-five school students, staff, and parents. Suggested infection-control behaviours deemed feasible and acceptable by the majority of participants included handwashing/hand-sanitising and wearing a face covering in certain contexts, such as crowded public spaces. Promoting a sense of collective responsibility was reported to increase motivation for the adoption of these behaviours. However, acceptability and willingness to implement recommended behaviours seemed to be influenced by participants’ perceptions of risk. Barriers to the implementation of recommended behaviours in school and at home primarily related to childcare needs and physical space. We conclude that it was possible to rapidly adapt Germ Defence to provide an acceptable resource to help mitigate against infection transmission within and from school settings. Adapted content was considered acceptable, persuasive, and accessible.

Keywords: behaviour change; digital intervention; COVID-19; school (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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