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

Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Seoul Metropolitan Government—Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Seoul 07061, Korea

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Department of Preventive Medicine, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon 35015, Korea

Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.

^†

These authors contributed equally this work.

^‡

These authors also contributed equally to this work.

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16(12), 2161; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16122161

Received: 23 May 2019 / Revised: 13 June 2019 / Accepted: 13 June 2019 / Published: 18 June 2019

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases)

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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. View Full-Text

Keywords: Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus; disease prevention and control; disease outbreaks; health survey

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MDPI and ACS Style

Jang, W.M.; Cho, S.; Jang, D.H.; Kim, U.-N.; Jung, H.; Lee, J.Y.; Eun, S.J. Preventive Behavioral Responses to the 2015 Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Outbreak in Korea. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16, 2161. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16122161

AMA Style

Jang WM, Cho S, Jang DH, Kim U-N, Jung H, Lee JY, Eun SJ. Preventive Behavioral Responses to the 2015 Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Outbreak in Korea. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2019; 16(12):2161. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16122161

Chicago/Turabian Style

Jang, Won M., Sanghyun Cho, Deok H. Jang, Un-Na Kim, Hyemin Jung, Jin Y. Lee, and Sang J. Eun. 2019. "Preventive Behavioral Responses to the 2015 Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Outbreak in Korea" International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 16, no. 12: 2161. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16122161

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