Self-reported interoception, worries and protective behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic: a longitudinal study

Abstract Background Protective behaviors were essential for minimizing the spread of the virus during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. It is often assumed that awareness of bodily sensations (interoception) can improve decision-making and facilitate adaptive behavior. Objective This paper investigates cross-sectional and longitudinal relationships between different aspects of self-reported interoception, trait anxiety, COVID-related worry, and health protective behaviors. Methods The study was conducted on a community sample of 265 adults. The two data collection phases took place online, before (baseline) and during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Hungary. Results Contrary to our expectations, neither cross-sectional nor longitudinal associations were found between protective behaviors and indicators of self-reported interoception. However, worry at baseline predicted protective behaviors during the second wave, even after controlling for socio-economical characteristics and protective behaviors at baseline. Conclusion Our results highlight the adaptivity of health-related worry when behavioral steps to avoid threats are known and available. Also, higher level of perceived interoception did not appear to be health protective under these circumstances.

Factors influencing protective behavior in the post-COVID-19 period in China: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND@#The study aimed to explore the factors influencing protective behavior and its association with factors during the post-COVID-19 period in China based on the risk perception emotion model and the protective action decision model (PADM).@*METHODS@#A total of 2830 valid questionnaires were collected as data for empirical analysis via network sampling in China. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was performed to explore the relationships between the latent variables.@*RESULTS@#SEM indicated that social emotion significantly positively affected protective behavior and intention. Protective behavioral intention had significant direct effects on protective behavior, and the direct effects were also the largest. Government trust did not have a significant effect on protective behavior but did have a significant indirect effect. Moreover, it was found that government trust had the greatest direct effect on social emotion. In addition, we found that excessive risk perception level may directly reduce people's intention and frequency of engaging in protective behavior, which was not conducive to positive, protective behavior.@*CONCLUSION@#In the post-COVID-19 period, theoretical framework constructed in this study can be used to evaluate people's protective behavior. The government should strengthen its information-sharing and interaction with the public, enhance people's trust in the government, create a positive social mood, appropriately regulate people's risk perception, and, finally, maintain a positive attitude and intent of protection.

A study on knowledge and protective practices of STIs among patients attending tertiary care center at Bikaner, Rajasthan

The increased risk of the transmission of HIV is known to be associated with the presence of STIs and despite the presence of the National STI Control Program in India the number of people with STIs remains high. More than 1 million people acquire a STI every day. The true prevalence of STIs can never be known because of inadequate reporting due to secrecy and stigma associated with them and most of them are not even notifiable. Objectives: (1) To study socio-demographic factors of patient's attending STI clinic (2) To assess knowledge of patients about STI/HIV. (3) To assess protective practices of patients towards STIs. Material and Methods: This cross sectional was conducted in STI clinic, PBM hospital, Bikaner from Dec 2014- Jan 2016 using pre-tested and pre-structured questionnaire. The study variables were analyzed using Epi-Info7 software with application of Mean, Proportion and OR, Chi-square. Results: Out of 97 patients 83.5% knew about STIs. 79.4% reported having knowledge about symptoms of STIs and most common symptom reported was itching over genitals and discharge (85.5%). Statistically significant difference was present between male and female patient's knowledge about premarital sex as a factor for acquisition of STIs. 79.3% were using condoms to protect from STIs. The difference was statistically significant between knowledge and practice regarding condom use (χ2 = 6.544, df=1, p=0.01). Statistically significant difference was present between male and female patients practice regarding regular visit to STI clinic. Conclusion: Knowledge of patients regarding protective practices is not matching with their protective behavior.

Would Medical Insurance and Environment Protective Behavior Alleviate the Influence of Environmental Pollutions on Individual Health Status / 中国卫生经济

Objective:To analyze whether medical insurance and environment protective behaviors could alleviate the influence of environmental pollutions on individual health status.Methods:Using the data of CGSS(2010) to conduct the empirical analysis based on Logit model.Results:Residents' choice on medical insurance and environment protective behaviors could alleviate the damage of environmental pollutions on health.Compared with the young and middle-aged,the elderly effectively alleviated the damage brought by environment pollutions through participating medical insurance.Compared with the low-educated individuals the high-educated inviduals' choices for environment protective behavior could effec tively release the damages brought by environmental pollutions.Conclusion:The government should advocate environmental protective behaviors,provide full coverage of medical insurances to let individuals alleviate the damages of environmental pollutions by their rational choice.More emphasis should be paid to the damage of environmental pollutions on the elderly group and individuals with lower education.

Personal protective and healthcare seeking behaviors urban residents before and during an influenza pandemic in Beijing / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective To provide evidence-based recommendations to the government on strategies for reducing the impact of the imminent influenza pandemic, we conducted a survey on the personal protective and healthcare seeking behaviors of Beijing residents in the wake of the worldwide epidemic of the novel 2009 H1N1 influenza virus, and potential changes in these behaviors during a full-blown pandemic. Methods We used a two-stage Mitofsky-Waksberg telephone survey to collect information for Beijing residents ≥ 18 years of age and weighted the sample by the census estimate of Beijing population for 2008. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information about the respondents' knowledge regarding the novel influenza virus, current personal protective and healthcare seeking behaviors during a full-blown influenza pandemic. Results 286 Beijing urban residents were interviewed during May 15 to 18 (response rate: 62%). 77%(95%CI: 71%-82%) of the residents that they would cover their sneezes at home, and 93%(95%CI: 89%-96%) would do so in a public place. Of the residents would cover their sneezes at home, 66% (95%CI: 57%-74%) would covered their sneezes by hand, 33% (95%CI:25%-42%) by facial tissue, and only 0.4% (95%CI: 0.1%-2.9%) by sleeves. Similarly, of the residents would cover their sneezes at a public place, 64% (95%CI: 56%-71%) would cover their sneezes by hand, 33%(95%CI: 26%-41%) by facial tissue and 0% by sleeves. 46% (95% CI: 32%-59%) of the residents would wash their hands after covering their sneezes with hand in public places, and 77% (95%CI: 64%-89%) would do so at home. Higher percentages of residents would wear a mask (63%, 95% CI: 56%-70%) and get vaccinated (43%, 95% CI: 37%-50%) during a pandemic than under currently situation (3.5%, 95% CI: 1.7%-7.0% for wearing a mask; 13%, 95% CI: 9.8%-18% for getting vaccinated). 86% (95% CI: 81%-89%) of the residents would visit a doctor for an influenza-like illness during a pandemic, similar to the percentage currently seen (76%, 95%CI: 70%-81%). 71%(95%CI: 63%-78%) of the residents would visit a doctor for influenza-like illness and would choose a tertiary medical center; with percentage (74% , 95% CI: 66%-80%) similar to the one during a pandemic. Conclusion Beijing residents need to be aware of the proper ways to cover their noses when sneezing (especially using their sleeves more), and to wash their hands. An effective plan to triage patients should be immediately established to efficiently utilize the limited healthcare resources, which would likely be further strained during a pandemic.