The Risk Perception COVID-19 Scale (RP-COVID19-S): Initial Validation and Its Relationship with Gender and Age in a Cuban Population Sample

Abstract

Background Risk perception about COVID-19 constitutes an important variable contributing to promotion of personal protection practices. The aims of this study were to exploring the factorial structure of the risk perception COVID-19 scale (RP-COVID19-S) in a sample of Cuban adults and to identify its relationship with variables such as gender and age. Methods A cross-sectional web-based survey design was conducted. The sample comprised 394 Cuban participants. Categorical Principal Component Analysis (CATPCA) was used to explore internal factorial structure of the scale. Logistic regression was modeling to identify variables independently associated with RP about COVID-19. Results CATPCA allowed identifying a three-dimensional factorial structure into the scale: knowledge and beliefs, emotional reactions and behavioral dissonance, and motivations for change. The odds of a woman with middle RP compared to low RP was 2.17 times more than for a man. Also, the odds of a woman with high knowledge and beliefs compared to low knowledge and beliefs were 1.96 times more than for a man. The odds of a person in older group, with middle risk perception compared with low level, was 5.0 (global risk perception), 3.33 (knowledge and beliefs), and 3.13 (emotional reactions and behavioral dissonance) times more than for a person in younger group, respectively. Conclusion The Risk Perception to COVD-19 Scale (RP-COVID-19-S) showed satisfactory psychometric properties to evaluated risk perception related to COVID-19 in Cuban population sample. Middle level of global risk perception was found in the sample. High level of risk perception about COVID-19 was found on participants older than 42 years old and in woman.

Association between the risk perception of contracting COVID-19 and sociodemographic characteristics in a Peruvian population

“… 17 Furthermore, another study conducted in the United States showed that older individuals perceive themselves as less susceptible to getting sick, but are more likely to experience severe consequences if they do contract the disease. 18 Even though the literature has reported an association between age and different perceptions of risk related to COVID-19, 19 – 21 the contribution of this study confirms that susceptibility to the possibility of contracting COVID-19 increases with age.…”

The Study of COVID-19’s Perceptions as a Motivation to Exercise and Keep Fit Among Older Adults

“…However, perceptions of its disruption and criticality had positive impacts on the risk perception of older adults to a moderate degree, which was consistent with the existing research. 66 , 67 Those results further verified that the perception of disruption and criticality of COVID-19 strengthened the risk perceptions of older adults.…”

“…Relevant research has also shown that older adults have responded to the COVID-19 crisis and the associated risk perception by participating in physical exercise. 66,67 Additionally, risk perception positively impacted the intention of older adults to exercise and keep fit, which also showed that the COVID-19 event not only enhanced the public's awareness of healthcare but also awakened their awareness of the benefits of exercise. Previous studies have also confirmed this view.…”

Correlates of support for international vaccine solidarity during the COVID-19 pandemic: Cross-sectional survey evidence from Germany

“…It stands to reason that, to the extent that citizens factor in their own self-interest in forming their attitudes, those who stand to benefit most from vaccination will be least likely to support sending those vaccines overseas. Restricting the domestic vaccine supply might be seen as particularly risky among populations vulnerable to COVID-19, particularly older citizens [45,46]. Therefore, we expect older citizens to oppose international vaccine solidarity.…”