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

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.

Perceptions and Behavioral Adoptions of the Preventive Strategies from Person-to-Person Transmission of COVID-19 among the Public in China: An Online Cross-Sectional Survey

“…There are a wide array of factors that in uence the public behavioral adoption in response to the pandemic of emerging infectious diseases including the government responses, media's portrayal and social culture and values. Compared to the previous studies on the public behavior in response to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SRAS), H1N1 and MERS epidemic in Hong Kong and other countries, [11][12][18][19] our study found behavioral adoption of prevent person-to-person transmission of COVID-19 among the public in Chinese mainland was relatively high. The outbreak of COVID-19 in China occurred around the time of the lunar new year often with massive population travels.…”

“…[8][9][10] The previous studies on the public responses to emerging infectious diseases reported poor adherence to the recommendations, although knowledge of the disease prevention among public showed relatively high. [11][12] In Korea, around half of the study participants adhere to suggestions to preventing Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). [12] In the Netherlands, the online survey with the general population found that 95% of the respondents had good knowledge of the In uenza A (H1N1), but only 36% of the respondents had taken preventive measures recommended.…”

“…[11][12] In Korea, around half of the study participants adhere to suggestions to preventing Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). [12] In the Netherlands, the online survey with the general population found that 95% of the respondents had good knowledge of the In uenza A (H1N1), but only 36% of the respondents had taken preventive measures recommended. [11] In this study, the older age, high perceived severity, high anxiety and high perceived e cacy of measures were positively associated with the behavior adoption.…”

Perceptions and behavioural responses of the general public during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional survey of UK Adults

“…Also, during the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) outbreak in Korea in 2015, there was heterogeneous uptake of preventive interventions (16).…”

The Recommended and Excessive Preventive Behaviors during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Community-Based Online Survey in China

“…First, as we all know, there were no drugs to treat the disease [ 14 ]. Second, wearing masks and handwashing remains one of the most effective ways to prevent contracting and spreading COVID-19 [ 41 , 44 , 45 ]. Third, numerous epidemiological studies have shown that improving the individual’s immunity can reduce the risk of infection and the harm caused by the disease [ 46 , 47 ].…”