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2.
Gesundheitswesen ; 2022 May 13.
Article in German | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2241251

ABSTRACT

AIM OF THE STUDY: There is a lack of knowledge about attitudes to influenza vaccination in Germany in 2021/2022. Based on the COSMO survey ("COVID-19 Snapshot Monitoring"), the aim of this study was to shed some light on this topic. METHODS: Wave 49 (August 10 and 11, 2021) of the COSMO survey (n=967; Germany-wide non-probabilistic quota sample; 18 to 74 years). RESULTS: This year, about one-third of respondents (and health care workers) plan to get a flu shot, and among the at-risk group of people aged 60 and older (up to 74 years in our sample), more than half. Correlates (such as gender: women with a lower likelihood of a planned flu shot) were identified. CONCLUSION: Physicians should inform women in particular about the advantages of influenza vaccination, especially during the pandemic, and communicate data on the proven protective effect of influenza vaccination as convincingly as possible (e. g., using existing brochures).

3.
Front Public Health ; 10: 1098911, 2022.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2199569

ABSTRACT

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on nearly all people. Vaccines provide an effective tool to combat the pandemic, however, vaccination hesitancy remains an issue. This study aims to investigate (a) students' attitudes toward the pandemic, (b) potential differences in attitudes between university students and the general population, and (c) to examine predictors of vaccination intention in both samples. Methods: In this cross-sectional study data from two research projects were analyzed and compared. First, attitudes toward the COVID-19 pandemic in German university students were assessed within a cross-sectional anonymous online survey (March-April 2021, N = 5,639) and analyzed quantitatively and also qualitatively (free text field answers examined positive and negative aspects of the pandemic). Second, data from a cross-sectional survey within the COVID-19 Snapshot Monitoring project (COSMO; 29th wave of data collection, December 2020, N = 1,387) in the German general population was analyzed. Both samples, were compared in sharedly used variables, regarding attitudes toward the pandemic and vaccination intention, and factors associated with vaccination (logistic regression analyses). Results: In comparison to the general population, university students were significantly more likely to report being worried about/thinking about the coronavirus and to perceive the coronavirus as overrepresented in the media (all p < 0.001). University students reported a more supportive attitude toward vaccinations in general (students: M = 4.57, SD = 0.85; general population: M = 3.92, SD = 1.27) and a significantly higher vaccination intention (students: n = 4,438, 78.7%; general population: n = 635, 47.7%) than the general population (p < 0.001). Regression analyses revealed that in university students, vaccination intention was significantly predicted by not having children, a supporting attitude toward vaccinations in general, the belief that the coronavirus is overrepresented in the media, and less thinking about/worrying about the coronavirus (all p < 0.05). In the general population, vaccination intention was significantly associated with male gender, higher age, not having children, a supporting attitude toward vaccinations in general, and the belief that the coronavirus is overrepresented in the media (p < 0.05). The qualitative analysis among university students revealed that the most frequently stated positive aspect of the pandemic was to be more flexible due to digitalization (n = 1,301 statements, 22.2%) and the most frequently stated negative aspect was restriction in social life (n = 3,572 statements, 24.2%). Conclusion: The results indicate differences in the attitudes toward the pandemic between university students and the general population. In addition, differences regarding factors associated with vaccination intention were found in both samples. These results could be important to be considered when designing and targeting vaccination campaigns aiming at informing different population or age groups. Study registration: DRKS00022424.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Intention , Child , Humans , Male , Cross-Sectional Studies , COVID-19 Vaccines , Pandemics , Universities , COVID-19/epidemiology , COVID-19/prevention & control , Vaccination , Students
4.
J Health Monit ; 5(4): 21-31, 2020 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1687805

ABSTRACT

Children and adolescents are particularly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and the official containment measures. However, the effects on their mental health have been little studied. The aim of this narrative review is to summarize existing evidence on the mental health of children and adolescents in the first weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic and during the measures taken to contain it in Germany. First international and national studies draw a differential picture. Children and adolescents showed symptoms of anxiety and depression as well as a reduced quality of life. The closure of childcare and educational facilities and the associated loss of the familiar daytime structure as well as loss of contact and independent learning at home posed considerable challenges for affected children and their families. Spatial confinement at home and the lack of alternative options of stay during the containment measures could also have lead to increased family stress, heightened family aggression, and domestic violence. However, the findings of several studies also show that many families coped with the time during the containment measures mostly well. In the event of possible future pandemics or further waves of the COVID-19 pandemic, the needs of adolescents and their families during the containment measures should be given greater consideration.

5.
Vaccine ; 40(51): 7370-7377, 2022 Dec 05.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1671279

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Mandating vaccination against COVID-19 is often discussed as a means to counter low vaccine uptake. Beyond the potential legal, ethical, and psychological concerns, a successful implementation also needs to consider citizens' support for such a policy. Public attitudes toward vaccination mandates and their determinants might differ over time and, hence, should be monitored. METHODS: Between April 2020 and April 2021, we investigated public support for mandatory vaccination policies in Germany and examined individual correlates, such as vaccination intentions, confidence in vaccine safety, and perceived collective responsibility, using a series of cross-sectional, quota-representative surveys (overall N = 27,509). RESULTS: Support for a vaccination mandate declined before the approval of the first vaccine against COVID-19 in December 2020 and increased afterwards. However, at the end of April 2021, only half of respondents were in favor of mandatory regulations. In general, mandates were endorsed by those who considered the vaccines to be safe, anticipated practical barriers, and felt responsible for the collective. On the contrary, perceiving vaccination as unnecessary and weighing the benefits and risks of vaccination was related to lower support. Older individuals and males more often endorsed vaccination mandates than did younger participants and females. Interestingly, there was a gap between vaccination intentions and support for mandates, showing that the attitude toward mandatory vaccination was not only determined by vaccination-related factors such as vaccine safety or prosocial considerations. CONCLUSIONS: Because of low public support, mandatory vaccination against COVID-19 should be considered a measure of last resort in Germany. However, if removing barriers to vaccination and educational campaigns about vaccine safety and the societal benefits of high vaccination uptake are not sufficient for increasing vaccination uptake to the required levels, mandates could be introduced. In this case, measures to ensure and increase acceptance and adherence should be taken.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Pandemics , Female , Male , Humans , COVID-19 Vaccines , Cross-Sectional Studies , COVID-19/prevention & control , Policy , Germany/epidemiology , Attitude
6.
Healthcare (Basel) ; 10(1)2022 Jan 04.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1613732

ABSTRACT

Our aim was to investigate to what extent physician visits were replaced by telemedicine services because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the satisfaction with such telemedicine services. Cross-sectional data from the "COVID-19 Snapshot Monitoring in Germany" (COSMO, wave 49 from 11 to 12 August 2021 with n = 967). The average age was 44.9 years (SD: 15.6 years, ranging from 18 to 74 years) and 50.8% were female. Indiviuals were asked whether any physician visit was replaced by a telemedicine service (e.g., video consultation) since March 2020 because of the pandemic (yes, once; yes, several times; yes, always; no, not replaced; no, there was no need to see a doctor). Additionally, individuals who gave positive responses (i.e., yes, once; yes, several times; yes, always) were asked how satisfied they were with the corresponding telemedicine services (from 1 = very dissatisfied to 7 = very satisfied). While 55.4% of the respondents reported no need to see a doctor and 31.3% of the respondents did not replace physician visits by telemedicine services, about 13.3% of the respondents did replace physician visits by telemedicine services (4.8%: yes, once; 6.4%: yes, several times; 2.1%: yes, always). Among the individuals who used such services, the average satisfaction was moderately high (4.7, SD: 2.0). Additionally, several correlates of the replacing telemedicine service use were identified (e.g., perceived severity of a COVID-19 infection). In conclusion, about one out of seven individuals replaced physician visits by telemedicine services during the pandemic. For example, knowledge about the correlates of satisfaction with such services might be of importance to increase the quality of such services.

9.
Bundesgesundheitsblatt Gesundheitsforschung Gesundheitsschutz ; 64(12): 1592-1602, 2021 Dec.
Article in German | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1565352

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Wearing face masks in public is recommended under certain circumstances in order to prevent infectious diseases transmitted through droplets. AIM: The objective was to compile all German and English research results from peer-reviewed journal articles using a sensitive literature search on the effects of mask-wearing for preventing infectious diseases on the psychosocial development of children and adolescents. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted considering different study designs (search period up until 12 July 2021). The risk of bias in the studies was determined using a risk of bias procedure. A descriptive-narrative synthesis of the results was performed. RESULTS: Thirteen studies were included, and the overall risk of bias was estimated to be high in all primary studies. There are some indications from the included surveys that children, adolescents, and their teachers in (pre)schools perceived facial expression processing as impaired due to mask wearing, which were confirmed by several experimental studies. Two studies reported psychological symptoms like anxiety and stress as well as concentration and learning problems due to wearing a mask during the COVID-19 pandemic. One survey study during the 2002/2003 SARS pandemic examined oral examination performance in English as a foreign language and showed no difference between the "mask" and "no mask" conditions. DISCUSSION: Only little evidence can be derived on the effects of wearing mouth-nose protection on different developmental areas of children and adolescents based on the small number of studies. There is a lack of research data regarding the following outcomes: psychological development, language development, emotional development, social behavior, school success, and participation. Further qualitative studies and epidemiological studies are required.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Communicable Diseases , Adolescent , Child , Child, Preschool , Germany , Humans , Masks , Pandemics , SARS-CoV-2
10.
Bundesgesundheitsblatt Gesundheitsforschung Gesundheitsschutz ; 64(12): 1500-1511, 2021 Dec.
Article in German | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1540204

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Parents face a variety of personal challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, while simultaneously being confronted with additional, school-related pandemic containment measures. OBJECTIVES: To investigate burden in parents of school-aged children across different phases of the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany and to identify particularly affected subgroups. METHODS: The COSMO project is a repetitive cross-sectional survey monitoring the psychosocial situation of the population in Germany during the pandemic with a sample size of approximately n = 1000 respondents per survey wave. A quantitative analysis of COSMO data was conducted using closed survey questions on the item "burden" as the main outcome, and, if applicable, on parenthood-associated burden from March 2020 until January 2021. RESULTS: During the first COVID-19 wave, parents of school-aged children were significantly more burdened compared to the general study population. However, burden decreased significantly from March/April to June 2020. During the second COVID-19 wave in January 2021, burden was homogeneously high across all groups. Single parenthood, a low household income, having a chronic health condition, a COVID-19 infection and a migration background were associated with higher burden, although none of these factors was consistently significant across the survey waves. Mothers reported to be more affected by parenthood-related burden than fathers. CONCLUSIONS: School measures for infection control have to be weighed carefully against the psychological impact on parental burden with subsequent negative impact on the family system. An English full-text version of this article is available at SpringerLink as Supplementary Information.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Child , Cross-Sectional Studies , Germany/epidemiology , Humans , Pandemics/prevention & control , Parents , SARS-CoV-2 , Schools
11.
Bundesgesundheitsblatt Gesundheitsforschung Gesundheitsschutz ; 64(12): 1492-1499, 2021 Dec.
Article in German | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1520328

ABSTRACT

Are children and adolescents relevant disease vectors when it comes to the transmission of SARS-CoV-2? Moreover, do they play a role as relevant disease vectors in a school or kindergarten setting? These questions could not be sufficiently answered at the beginning of the pandemic. Consequently, schools and childcare facilities were closed to stop the spread of SARS-CoV­2. Over the past few months, researchers have gained a more detailed understanding of the overall pandemic situation. The SARS-CoV­2 infection rate in children below 10 years of age in 2020 has been substantially lower than in adults. In addition, it showed that children had a milder course of disease.Although a majority of the analyses performed in schools and childcare facilities revealed that the virus is transmitted in these facilities, these transmissions did not, however, have a considerable influence on the overall rate of new infections. Despite these findings, German politicians continue to advocate for the closure of childcare facilities, including schools, to fight the pandemic, whereas many specialist societies such as the German Society for Pediatric Infectious Diseases (DGPI) have emphasized that such closures should be the measure of last resort in combating the pandemic. The same message is also conveyed by a German evidence-based S3 guideline established by an interdisciplinary expert group that had already put forward clear recommendations for high incidences in the general population at the beginning of February 2021, indicating that school closures were only required in exceptional cases.In this article, we would like to outline the situation based on the currently available data, try to predict the future, and discuss the circumstances necessary to realize normal classroom teaching without accepting the risk of an uncontrolled spread of SARS-CoV­2.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , SARS-CoV-2 , Adolescent , Adult , Child , Germany/epidemiology , Humans , Pandemics , Schools
12.
PLoS One ; 16(11): e0259451, 2021.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1504036

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Our aim was to examine attitudes of the general population towards reasonableness of these costs, as well as the degree to which these costs are shared across society (solidarity financing) and to determine the factors associated with them. METHOD: Repeated cross-sectional data from a nationally representative online-survey. More precisely, data from wave 8 (21-22 April 2020) and wave 16 (7-8 July 2020) were used (in wave 8: analytical sample with n = 976, average age was 47.0 years (SD: 15.3 years), ranging from 18 to 74 years, 51.8% female; in wave 16: analytical sample with n = 978, average age was 46.1 years (SD: 15.9 years), ranging from 18 to 74 years, 50.9% female). After a short introduction emphasizing considerable economic costs associated with the measures against the spread of the coronavirus, individuals were asked to rate the following statements (outcome measures), in each case from 1 = strongly disagree to 7 = strongly agree: "These economic costs are currently reasonable in relation to the objective pursued" (reasonableness of costs), "These economic costs should be borne jointly by all citizens and depending on income" (solidarity financing). RESULTS: In wave 8 (wave 16 in parentheses), the average rating for the attitude towards reasonableness of costs was 4.3, SD: 1.8 (wave 16, average: 4.2, SD: 1.8) and the average rating for the attitude towards solidarity financing was 3.7, SD: 1.9 (wave 16, average: 3.3, SD: 2.0). In wave 8, more positive attitudes towards the reasonableness of costs and solidarity financing were associated with being male, higher education, not being in a partnership/being unmarried, higher affect regarding COVID-19 and higher presumed severity with respect to COVID-19. Furthermore, more positive attitudes towards the reasonableness of costs were associated with having a migration background. More positive attitudes towards solidarity financing was associated with higher age groups. Mainly similar findings were observed in wave 16. DISCUSSION: Agreement with reasonableness of costs of preventative measures as well as solidarity financing was moderately high. Knowledge of these attitudes is important to ensure social cohesion during the fight against COVID-19.


Subject(s)
COVID-19/epidemiology , COVID-19/therapy , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Attitude to Health , COVID-19/economics , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Germany/epidemiology , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Models, Economic , Perception , Regression Analysis , SARS-CoV-2 , Surveys and Questionnaires , Young Adult
13.
Euro Surveill ; 26(42)2021 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1485002

ABSTRACT

BackgroundDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, public perceptions and behaviours have had to adapt rapidly to new risk scenarios and radical behavioural restrictions.AimTo identify major drivers of acceptance of protective behaviours during the 4-week transition from virtually no COVID-19 cases to the nationwide lockdown in Germany (3-25 March 2020).MethodsA serial cross-sectional online survey was administered weekly to ca 1,000 unique individuals for four data collection rounds in March 2020 using non-probability quota samples, representative of the German adult population between 18 and 74 years in terms of age × sex and federal state (n = 3,910). Acceptance of restrictions was regressed on sociodemographic variables, time and psychological variables, e.g. trust, risk perceptions, self-efficacy. Extraction of homogenous clusters was based on knowledge and behaviour.ResultsAcceptance of restrictive policies increased with participants' age and employment in the healthcare sector; cognitive and particularly affective risk perceptions were further significant predictors. Acceptance increased over time, as trust in institutions became more relevant and trust in media became less relevant. The cluster analysis further indicated that having a higher education increased the gap between knowledge and behaviour. Trust in institutions was related to conversion of knowledge into action.ConclusionIdentifying relevant principles that increase acceptance will remain crucial to the development of strategies that help adjust behaviour to control the pandemic, possibly for years to come. Based on our findings, we provide operational recommendations for health authorities regarding data collection, health communication and outreach.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Pandemics , Adult , Communicable Disease Control , Cross-Sectional Studies , Germany/epidemiology , Humans , Pandemics/prevention & control , Perception , SARS-CoV-2 , Surveys and Questionnaires , Trust
14.
BMC Public Health ; 21(1): 1698, 2021 09 17.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1477397

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess the willingness of the general population in Germany to bear the economic costs of measures against the spread of SARS-CoV-2. METHODS: Repeated cross-sectional data were taken from three waves of a nationally representative survey of individuals aged 18 to 74 years (wave 8: 21-22 April 2020, N = 976; wave 16: 7-8 July 2020, N = 977; wave 38: 9-10 March 2021). The willingness to accept a reduction of annual household income in order to bear the economic costs of the measures against SARS-CoV-2 served as outcome measure. Two-part models were used including explanatory variables on sociodemographic and (subjectively assessed) potential health hazard caused by COVID-19. RESULTS: 65.5% (61.6%; 56.9%) of respondents in wave 8 (wave 16; wave 38) were willing to accept a reduction of income, with the likelihood for accepting a reduction of income being positively associated with higher affect (i.e. emotional reaction) and presumed severity regarding COVID-19 in all three waves. The mean maximum percentage of income participants were willing to give up was 3.3% (95% CI: 2.9 to 3.7%) in wave 8, 2.9% (95% CI: 2.5 to 3.3%) in wave 16 and 4.3% (95% CI: 3.6 to 5.0%) in wave 38, with presumed severity of COVID-19 being positively associated with this percentage in all three waves. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of respondents indicated willingness to sacrifice income in order to bear the costs of measures against the spread of SARS-CoV-2, with the potential health hazard caused by COVID-19 being consistently associated with this willingness. However, the proportion of individuals who were willing to give up income slightly decreased throughout the pandemic.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , SARS-CoV-2 , Cross-Sectional Studies , Germany/epidemiology , Humans , Pandemics
15.
PLoS One ; 16(9): e0256660, 2021.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1398935

ABSTRACT

During the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic mobile health applications indicating risks emerging from close contacts to infected persons have a large potential to interrupt transmission chains by automating contact tracing. Since its dispatch in Germany in June 2020 the Corona Warn App has been downloaded on 25.7 Mio smartphones by February 2021. To understand barriers to download and user fidelity in different sociodemographic groups we analysed data from five consecutive cross-sectional waves of the COVID-19 Snapshot Monitoring survey from June to August 2020. Questions on the Corona Warn App included information on download, use, functionality, usability, and consequences of the app. Of the 4,960 participants (mean age 45.9 years, standard deviation 16.0, 50.4% female), 36.5% had downloaded the Corona Warn App. Adjusted analysis found that those who had downloaded the app were less likely to be female (Adjusted Odds Ratio for men 1.16 95% Confidence Interval [1.02;1.33]), less likely to be younger (Adjusted Odds Ratio for age 18 to 39 0.47 [0.32;0.59] Adjusted Odds Ratio for age 40 to 64 0.57 [0.46;0.69]), less likely to have a lower household income (AOR 0.55 [0.43;0.69]), and more likely to live in one of the Western federal states including Berlin (AOR 2.31 [1.90;2.82]). Willingness to disclose a positive test result and trust in data protection compliance of the Corona Warn App was significantly higher in older adults. Willingness to disclose also increased with higher educational degrees and income. This study supports the hypothesis of a digital divide that separates users and non-users of the Corona Warn App along a well-known health gap of education, income, and region.


Subject(s)
COVID-19/prevention & control , Contact Tracing/methods , Mobile Applications/statistics & numerical data , Smartphone/statistics & numerical data , Surveys and Questionnaires , Adult , COVID-19/epidemiology , COVID-19/virology , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Germany/epidemiology , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Pandemics/prevention & control , Reproducibility of Results , SARS-CoV-2/physiology
16.
Risk Manag Healthc Policy ; 14: 3003-3011, 2021.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1317166

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The COVID-19 pandemic is accompanied by various challenges for individual health and the health care system. However, preventive examinations such as cancer screenings should not be postponed during a pandemic. Because nationally representative studies describing postponed cancer screenings and identifying its determinants in Germany are lacking, our aim was to close this gap in knowledge. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used cross-sectional data from the nationally representative online-survey "COVID-19 Snapshot Monitoring in Germany (COSMO)" (wave 17), which was conducted in July 2020. The analytical sample included 974 individuals (mean age was 45.9 years, SD: 16.5 years; 18 to 74 years). The outcome measure was whether cancer screening had been postponed since March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic (no, attended as planned; yes, postponed). RESULTS: In total, slightly more than 10% of individuals stated to have postponed cancer screenings between March and July 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly women and individuals aged 30 to 49 years. The likelihood of postponed cancer screening was positively associated with higher affect regarding COVID-19 (OR: 1.65, 95% CI: 1.16-2.35), whereas it was negatively associated with younger age (eg, 18 to 29 years, OR: 0.17, 95% CI: 0.05-0.64, compared to individuals 30 to 49 years). CONCLUSION: Study findings showed that one out of ten individuals postponed cancer screenings during the COVID-19 pandemic. We determined two correlates of them (age and affect regarding COVID-19). Individuals with an increased likelihood of postponed cancer screenings should be specifically addressed.

17.
PLoS One ; 16(5): e0251694, 2021.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1225817

ABSTRACT

The main strategy for combatting SARS-CoV-2 infections in 2020 consisted of behavioural regulations including contact reduction, maintaining distance, hand hygiene, and mask wearing. COVID-19-related risk perception and knowledge may influence protective behaviour, and education could be an important determinant. The current study investigated differences by education level in risk perception, knowledge and protective behaviour regarding COVID-19 in Germany, exploring the development of the pandemic over time. The COVID-19 Snapshot Monitoring study is a repeated cross-sectional online survey conducted during the pandemic in Germany from 3 March 2020 (waves 1-28: 27,957 participants aged 18-74). Differences in risk perception, knowledge and protective behaviour according to education level (high versus low) were analysed using linear and logistic regression. Time trends were accounted for by interaction terms for education level and calendar week. Regarding protective behaviour, interaction terms were tested for all risk perception and knowledge variables with education level. The strongest associations with education level were evident for perceived and factual knowledge regarding COVID-19. Moreover, associations were found between low education level and higher perceived severity, and between low education level and lower perceived probability. Highly educated men were more worried about COVID-19 than those with low levels of education. No educational differences were observed for perceived susceptibility or fear. Higher compliance with hand washing was found in highly educated women, and higher compliance with maintaining distance was found in highly educated men. Regarding maintaining distance, the impact of perceived severity differed between education groups. In men, significant moderation effects of education level on the association between factual knowledge and all three protective behaviours were found. During the pandemic, risk perception and protective behaviour varied greatly over time. Overall, differences by education level were relatively small. For risk communication, reaching all population groups irrespective of education level is critical.


Subject(s)
COVID-19/psychology , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice/ethnology , Risk Reduction Behavior , Adult , Aged , Anxiety/epidemiology , Cross-Sectional Studies , Educational Status , Fear/psychology , Female , Germany/epidemiology , Hand Disinfection/trends , Hand Hygiene/methods , Hand Hygiene/trends , Health Risk Behaviors , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Pandemics/prevention & control , Perception , Risk Assessment/methods , SARS-CoV-2/pathogenicity , Surveys and Questionnaires
18.
Int J Public Health ; 66: 591027, 2021.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1200110

ABSTRACT

Objectives: To decrease the rapid growth of SARS-CoV-2 in Germany, a stepped lockdown was conducted. Acceptance and compliance regarding entering and exiting lockdown measures are key for their success. The aim of the present study was to analyse the population's preferences for exiting lockdown measures. Methods: To evaluate population's preferences and identify trade-offs between different exit strategies, a discrete choice experiment was conducted on 28-29 April (n = 1,020). Overall, six attributes and 16 choice sets (fractional-factorial design) without an opt-out were chosen. Conditional logit and latent class models were conducted. Results: Most attributes proved to be significant. Two attributes dominated all others: Avoiding a mandatory tracing app, and providing sufficient intensive care capacities. Preventing a high long-term unemployment rate and avoiding the isolation of persons aged 70+, were relevant, though utilities were comparatively lower. We identified subgroups (elderly persons and persons with school children) with different utilities, which indicates specific attributes affecting them dissimilarly. Conclusions: The population prefers cautious re-opening strategies and is at least sceptical about the adoption of severe protection measures. Government should balance interests between subgroups.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Communicable Disease Control , Public Opinion , COVID-19/epidemiology , COVID-19/prevention & control , Choice Behavior , Communicable Disease Control/methods , Germany/epidemiology , Humans
20.
Bundesgesundheitsblatt Gesundheitsforschung Gesundheitsschutz ; 64(3): 285-293, 2021 Mar.
Article in German | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1118208

ABSTRACT

With the declaration of a pandemic situation of national significance by the German Bundestag, the Federal Centre for Health Education (BZgA) is fulfilling its task of providing information for understanding the pandemic situation and implementing the necessary protective measures in a clear manner throughout Germany within the framework of the adapted National Pandemic Plan COVID-19. The BZgA targets its information according to the needs of specific groups and actively involves multipliers.In order to incorporate the perspectives of the population as well as those of prevention and health promotion professionals into the services developed by the BZgA, given the particularly initial low level of knowledge in the population, various methods and data sources were used: the COVID-19 Snapshot Monitoring (COSMO) population survey, the monitoring of citizens' enquiries via telephone and e­mail to the BZgA, surveys of counselling professionals from nationwide telephone and online counselling centres, surveys of health professionals in early help (NZFH) and interdisciplinary practice expert hearings. Beyond providing pure information, practical and everyday offers should be developed and provided according to WHO guidelines and evidence-based criteria of effective communication in order to support the competences for a gradual adaptation to a "new normality".The paper describes the data-based and evidence-informed development process of communication content and offers, their dissemination via existing websites and channels for other topics as well as their integration into the new online platform www.zusammengegencorona.de . This demonstrates how demand-driven and target group-specific communication offers can be implemented beyond the classic and proven campaign appearance.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Pandemics , Communication , Germany/epidemiology , Health Education , Humans , Pandemics/prevention & control , SARS-CoV-2
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