Do the vaccinated perform less distancing, mask wearing and hand hygiene? A test of the risk compensation hypothesis in a representative sample during the COVID-19 pandemic

Hall, Peter A.; Meng, Gang; Sakib, Mohammad Nazmus; Quah, Anne C K; Agar, Thomas; Fong, Geoffrey T.

doi:10.1016/j.vaccine.2022.10.028

Cited by 9 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…Our study found that travellers do not incorporate more protective interventions, including wearing masks and washing hands when travelling, or more harmful behaviours, such as travelling by public transport after receiving the COVID-19 vaccination. The above finding is also supported by the reports of Thorpe et al [ 23 ], Hall et al [ 24 ], and Guenther et al [ 25 ], who also investigated the risk compensation behaviour during the COVID-19 pandemic. The reason for this finding may be scepticism among participants regarding the vaccine and the advertised high infectivity of COVID-19 in China [ 1 ].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 81%

Health Behaviours among Travellers Regarding Risk Compensation Following COVID-19 Vaccination in Taizhou, China

Yang

Wang

et al. 2023

Canadian Journal of Infectious Diseases and Medical Microbiolog

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Background. During the COVID-19 pandemic, public transport was restricted in many countries because of the transmission risk. According to the risk compensation theory, travellers post-COVID-19 vaccination may encounter higher risks; however, no real-world studies provide such evidence. Therefore, we conducted a survey to assess whether risk compensation would occur among travellers’ health-related behaviours after COVID-19 vaccination, potentially aggravating the transmission of the virus. Materials and Methods. A self-administered online survey was designed and distributed over WeChat to identify the difference in health behaviours before and after COVID-19 vaccination among travellers at a train station in Taizhou, China, from 13 February to 26 April 2022. Results. A total of 602 individuals completed the questionnaire. The results revealed no statistical difference between the health behaviours reported by the vaccinated and unvaccinated groups. Participants who received the first dose of the vaccine earlier showed no statistical difference in harmful health behaviours (hand washing frequency decreased by 4.1% P = 0.145 ) and the duration of public transport travel increased by 3.4% P = 0.437 )), but showed better protective health behaviours (mask-wearing duration increased by 24.7% P = 0.014 )). Compared to those vaccinated less than three times, participants vaccinated against COVID-19 three times showed no statistical differences in harmful health behaviours mask-wearing duration decreased by 7.0% P = 0.927 ), their hand washing frequency decreased by 4.8% P = 0.905 ), and the duration of public transport travel increased by 2.5% P = 0.287 ). After vaccination, when compared to themselves before vaccination, participants exhibited better health behaviours (increased hand washing frequency and mask-wearing duration, and decreased duration of public transport travel) to some extent. Conclusion. In conclusion, this study found no evidence of risk compensation among travellers. After being vaccinated, health behaviours partly improved among travellers.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 81%

Health Behaviours among Travellers Regarding Risk Compensation Following COVID-19 Vaccination in Taizhou, China

Yang

Wang

et al. 2023

Canadian Journal of Infectious Diseases and Medical Microbiolog

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“…This population has been of interest to behavioral researchers who seek to understand their vaccine hesitancy [ 7 ], which makes these individuals at higher risk for severe COVID-19. In addition, this group is important to public health because they are also less likely to adopt other pandemic behaviors, such as wearing masks and socially distancing, which can help decrease the risk of infection and transmission [ 8 ].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Do some prefer to pay? Identifying bias against free COVID-19 tests

Baik,

Bien-Gund,

Bisson

et al. 2024

Public Health in Practice

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“…13,14 However, for other vaccines, evidence of risk compensation behaviours does exist. 15,16 A recent assessment of the impact of COVID-19 vaccination found no evidence of risk compensation behaviours, 17 whereas mask wearing is associated with greater risk taking. 18 In contrast, studies of risk compensation in relation to the management of animal health are rare.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Is badger culling associated with risk compensation behaviour among cattle farmers?

Brunton,

Enticott

2024

Veterinary Record

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BackgroundRisk compensation theory suggests that behaviours are modified in response to interventions that remove risks by substituting them with other risky behaviours to maintain a ‘risk equilibrium’. Alternatively, risk reduction interventions may result in spill‐over behaviours that seek to minimise risks further. This paper assessed evidence for these behavioural risk responses among farmers in response to badger culling that seeks to remove the risk of bovine tuberculosis in cattle.MethodsData from the UK's randomised badger culling trial were re‐analysed, comparing farmers’ cattle movement practices in proactive and reactive culling areas and control areas. Analysis compared cattle movements during and after the trial using zero‐inflated negative binomial regression.ResultsThe analysis found no strong evidence of risk compensation behaviours among farmers who experienced proactive culling. However, strong evidence for a reduction in cattle movements in reactive culling areas was found. The results indicate high levels of inertia within farming systems in relation to cattle purchasing.LimitationsData do not account for the risk of cattle purchases and reflect previous policy regimens. Evidence from recent badger culling interventions should be analysed.ConclusionProactive badger culling was not associated with risk compensation behaviours, while reactive badger culling was associated with decreased risk taking among farmers.

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Do the vaccinated perform less distancing, mask wearing and hand hygiene? A test of the risk compensation hypothesis in a representative sample during the COVID-19 pandemic

Cited by 9 publications

References 6 publications

Health Behaviours among Travellers Regarding Risk Compensation Following COVID-19 Vaccination in Taizhou, China

Health Behaviours among Travellers Regarding Risk Compensation Following COVID-19 Vaccination in Taizhou, China

Do some prefer to pay? Identifying bias against free COVID-19 tests

Is badger culling associated with risk compensation behaviour among cattle farmers?

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