Impact of a Banning Indoor Dining Policy on Restaurant Avoidance Behavior during the COVID-19 Outbreak.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is spreading around the world, and Taiwan is no exception. Faced with the outbreak of the epidemic, the Taiwan government immediately ordered a policy banning indoor dining. The main purpose of the present research is to extend a Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) theoretical framework to explore the public perception toward banning indoor dining policy on restaurant avoidance behavior during the COVID-19 outbreak. An online survey was administered in Taiwan during the COVID-19 pandemic from 25 May to 8 June 2021; a total of 326 responses were collected by a convenience sampling method, and partial least square (PLS) analysis was deployed to examine the hypothesized relationships. The results showed that perception toward banning indoor dining policy had independent significant associations with attitude, perceived behavioral control, and restaurant avoidance behavior. Moreover, attitude, perceived behavioral control, and subjective norm had independent significant associations with restaurant avoidance behavior. This study provides theoretical and practical insights into the psychological and behavioral processes involved in policy by the general public during the COVID-19 pandemic, thus helping policymakers to better understand public opinion and responses to policy issues.

Associations between Lifestyle Habits, Perceived Symptoms and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease in Patients Seeking Health Check-Ups.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is one of the most common diseases. It mainly causes the stomach contents to flow back to the esophagus, thereby stimulating the esophagus and causing discomfort. From the results of our research, we intend to provide the general public with information related to preventing gastroesophageal reflux disease and medical personnel with information on the treatment and care of patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease. This study aimed to investigate the association of lifestyle habits and perceived symptoms on GERD in patients who underwent routine health check-ups. This study was conducted as a retrospective cross-sectional design to collect GERD cases from the medical records containing the health questionnaires and the report of endoscopic findings on the day of the health check-up. A total of 5653 patients were enrolled between 1 January 2016, and 31 December 2018. About 60.2% (n = 3404) of patients with GERD were diagnosed based on endoscopic findings. Descriptive and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the risk factors of the development of GERD. The results of the multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age, sex, waist circumference, Areca catechu chewing habit, sleep disorders, otolaryngology symptoms, and hepatobiliary and gastrointestinal symptoms were significantly associated with GERD. In this study, our results can be used as a reference for public health care and clinicians. Because most GERD cases can be controlled and prevented by lifestyle modifications, health professionals should always obtain a detailed history regarding symptoms and lifestyle habits associated with GERD.