Understanding the role of disease knowledge and risk perception in shaping preventive behavior for selected vector-borne diseases in Guyana

Abstract

Background Individual behavior, particularly choices about prevention, plays a key role in infection transmission of vector-borne diseases (VBDs). Since the actual risk of infection is often uncertain, individual behavior is influenced by the perceived risk. A low risk perception is likely to diminish the use of preventive measures (behavior). If risk perception is a good indicator of the actual risk, then it has important implications in a context of disease elimination. However, more research is needed to improve our understanding of the role of human behavior in disease transmission. The objective of this study is to explore whether preventive behavior is responsive to risk perception, taking into account the links with disease knowledge and controlling for individuals' socioeconomic and demographic characteristics. More specifically, the study focuses on malaria, dengue fever, Zika and cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), using primary data collected in Guyana-a key country for the control and/or elimination of VBDs, given its geographic location. Methods and findings The data were collected between August and December 2017 in four regions of the country. Questions on disease knowledge, risk perception and self-reported use of preventive measures were asked to each participant for the four diseases. A structural equation model was estimated. It focused on data collected from private households only in order to control for individuals' socioeconomic and demographic characteristics, which led to a sample size of 497 participants. The findings showed evidence of a bidirectional association between risk perception and behavior. A one-unit increase in risk perception translated into a 0.53 unit PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES

Risk Perception of COVID-19 Infection and Adherence to Preventive Measures among Adolescents and Young Adults

“…While the presence of chronic medical conditions and exposure to immunosuppressant medication may increase the risk and complications of COVID-19 infection, AYAs' self-perceived risk may remain low because of their young age [3,4]. Other than underlying medical related risk factors, previous studies have also linked older age, female gender, and better disease knowledge to higher risk perception [11,14,15]. In the context of the current pandemic, it is imperative to understand AYAs' risk perception and underlying factors as they could be targets for future public health messages.…”

“…Evidence suggests that adherence to preventive measures is influenced by real or perceived risk of infection whereby a lower perceived risk leads to lower adherence [ 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ]. AYAs are usually a population with a lower perception of risk than other age categories [ 15 ] which may in fact be explained by the lower morbidity and mortality seen in this age group.…”

Health care provider's risk perception, and preparedness towards COVID-19 pandemic in North Central Ethiopia, 2020

“…This similar to the study conducted in Nigeria [ 40 ], china [ 41 , 42 ]. This could be as knowledge increase, ignorance towards the risk decrease [ 43 ], increase preventive behaviors [ 44 ] towards the disease. In addition, knowledge increase their sense of being infected, infection of their coworkers, family and the public.…”

Role of knowledge, behavior, norms, and e-guidelines in controlling the spread of COVID-19: evidence from Pakistan

“…Knowledge and beliefs influence the behavior-specific self-efficacy, goal congruence, and outcome expectancy (Ryan 2009 ). Higher knowledge is likely to be linked with more risk perception (Aerts et al 2020 ). Lei et al ( 2019 ) examined the preventive measures, knowledge, and attitude of poultry market workers in China.…”

“…Risk-averse individuals will face a “risk-elastic demand for prevention”: a percentage increase in the risk will lead to a greater percentage increase in self-protective behavior (Aerts et al 2020 ). In general, it is assumed that people would normally make rational decisions to avoid risks (Nomura et al 2004 ).…”