Increased Risk Perception Research Articles

Codesigning a Digital Type 2 Diabetes Risk Communication Tool in Singapore: Qualitative Participatory Action Research Approach.

Diabetes is a serious public health concern worldwide. Despite public health efforts encouraging early screening and improving knowledge of effective interventions for those at increased risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D), the incorporation of preventative behaviors into an individual's daily life remains suboptimal. Successfully and accurately increasing risk perception has been demonstrated to increase behavioral intention. The study aims to codesign a T2D risk communication tool by engaging public participants to (1) identify key characteristics that contribute to an effective risk communication tool and (2) test and iterate to develop a culturally sensitive and meaningful risk communication tool that can motivate T2D preventative behaviors. We adopted a novel methodology, "Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) Hawkers," where we approached patrons at hawker centers and public eateries frequented by all local residents to evaluate and test 3 prototypes for the tool. The three prototypes were (1) "Diabetes Onset"-estimated age of diabetes onset of T2D based on one's risk factors, (2) "Relative Risk"-the relative risk of T2D is presented in a 1-10 scale indicating where one's risk score lie in relation to others, and (3) "Metabolic Age"-the median age of the risk category based on one's risk factors, presented to be compared against their chronological age. We gathered reactions and feedback through rapid testing and iteration to understand which risk result presentation would be received the best. All the collected data were revisited and analyzed using an inductive thematic analysis to identify the key characteristics contributing to an effective risk communication tool. We engaged with 112 participants (female: n=59, 56%) across 6 hawker centers. The key characteristics that were important to participants emerged in four main themes: (1) appeal and user experience, in terms of format and readability; (2) trust and validity of the institution providing the tool and the accuracy of the risk result; (3) threat appraisal: salience of risk information, which influenced their risk perception; and (4) coping appraisal: facilitators for behavior change, which impacted their intention for implementing T2D preventative behaviors. The predictive nature of the prototype entitled "Diabetes Onset" was poorly received and removed after the first iteration. The Relative Risk prototype was valued for being straightforward but feared to be boring. The Metabolic Age prototype was anticipated to be more motivating for behavior change, but there were some concerns that the terminology may not be understood by everyone. Participants were divided on which of the 2 prototypes, "Metabolic Age" or "Relative Risk," they would favor adopting. Further testing is now required to determine which prototype will be more effective in motivating behavior change. This study's insights on the design process and valued characteristics of a risk communication tool will inform future development of such interventions.

Risk and Reward Perceptions in Acquisitive Crime: A Comparative Analysis of Credit Fraud, Drug Dealing, Burglary, and Robbery

Acquisitive crimes share a common thread in that they focus on obtaining some form of benefit. There is considerable variation in the potential risks and rewards inherent in each crime type, however. This study assessed whether perceptions of risk, rewards, and social costs differentially predict engagement in four acquisitive crimes: credit fraud, drug selling, burglary, and robbery. This study also examined specialization within these offenses. The results suggested that increased risk perceptions reduced the odds of engagement in burglary and drug selling. Reward perceptions increased odds of engagement in fraud, burglary, and robbery. There was limited specialization, with some exception for drug selling. Understanding the perceptual dynamics of acquisitive crime is important for developing policies tailored to specific crime types.

The influence of partisan news on climate mitigation support: An investigation into the mediating role of perceived risk and efficacy.

Perceptions of efficacy play a central role in motivating people to engage in climate actions. However, there has been little investigation into how different climate efficacy beliefs are formed and how they may be associated with support for climate mitigation policies. This study, based on the motivated control framework, examines how risk perceptions may differentially be associated with four types of efficacy constructs (self-efficacy, personal outcome expectancy, collective efficacy, and collective outcome efficacy). It also places the motivated control framework in the context of the partisan information sphere and examines how exposure to partisan news may influence mitigation policy support through the mediators of risk perceptions and the efficacy constructs. Results suggest that liberal- and conservative-leaning news exposure, respectively, associate with higher and lower supports for policies. Overall, risk perception was a significant mediator, and the mediating function of efficacy varied depending on the specific construct being examined. For liberal news use, increased risk perceptions had a positive association with policy support through self-efficacy and collective outcome expectancy but also had an unexpected negative association with policy support through personal outcome expectancy and collective efficacy. For conservative news use, decreased risk perceptions resulted in further decreased beliefs of self-efficacy and collective outcome expectancy, resulting in lower levels of support for climate policies. We also find that political ideology is a significant moderator for the mediation model. Implications for climate change communication are discussed.

Impacts of knowledge and trust on consumer perceptions and purchase intentions towards genetically modified foods.

Genetically Modified Foods (GMF) have emerged as a significant topic within the global food industry, provoking extensive debates over their safety and impact on consumer choices. This research aims to explore the impact of knowledge and trust in GMF on Vietnamese consumers' perceptions and their subsequent purchase intentions. By employing a quantitative methodology, this study gathered data from 424 valid respondents. The research model focuses on five constructs: knowledge, trust, perceived benefits, perceived risks, and purchase intentions. The data was analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to test hypotheses and examine the interrelationships among these constructs. The results showed that increased knowledge of GMF is linked to heightened perceptions of benefits and reduced perceptions of risks, thereby elevating purchase intentions. Trust in GMF significantly enhances perceived benefits but does not significantly affect risk evaluation, although it is positively correlated with purchase intentions. Moreover, perceptions of greater benefits are positively associated with higher purchase intentions, whereas increased risk perceptions negatively influence them. These results underscore the complex relationship among knowledge, trust, perceived benefits, and perceived risks in shaping consumer purchase intentions toward GMF. The study proposes a comprehensive model delineating how knowledge and trust impact Vietnamese consumers' perceptions and purchase intentions regarding GMF. These findings provide implications for policymakers, business managers, and marketers, emphasizing the importance of disseminating transparent information, prioritizing trust-building, and adopting nuanced communication strategies. By effectively enhancing perceived benefits and addressing perceived risks, these strategies aim to foster positive consumer intentions and behaviors toward GMF.

Literacy training vs. psychological inoculation? Explicating and comparing the effects of predominantly informational and predominantly motivational interventions on the processing of health statistics

Abstract Communicating statistics is challenging and fraught with mis-contextualization and causal misattributions. Can we train the public against statistical misrepresentations? Pre-emptive interventions against misinformation primarily include literacy tips/training and inoculation. In theory, inoculation has an additional motivational component (forewarning). However, forewarning has not been directly tested against literacy interventions, calling into question inoculation’s distinction. We critique the theoretical boundary work and compare these informational and motivational interventions in the context of health statistics. The longitudinal experiment compared the effects of interventions on processing accurate and inaccurate statistics about COVID-19 vaccines and/or genetically modified organisms across digital platforms. Both interventions prevented an elevation in risk perceptions following exposure to statistical misinformation at a later time. However, literacy intervention increased risk perceptions following exposure to accurate statistics too, suggesting an additional benefit of forewarning. Those with high levels of pre-existing misinformation concern exhibited inoculation effects more strongly. We discuss the theoretical, empirical, and practical implications.

Rain on the Parade of Influenza Vaccine Hesitancy

Abstract: Background: Following the protection motivation theory (PMT), a lack of risk perception is one of the reasons for differences in vaccine uptake ( Rogers, 1975 ). When the risk for diseases like seasonal influenza is underestimated, protective measures such as vaccination are used less. Aims: In this paper, we propose that the sequelae approach, which involves providing information about the severe complications of diseases, can influence people’s risk perceptions and their intention to vaccinate. This is in comparison to providing merely information about the disease itself. Method: Three preregistered online experiments (2017–2019) were conducted to examine whether risk perceptions and vaccination intentions increase when (1) information about sequelae is presented as statistical texts or narratives (vs. not presented at all), (2) known or unknown sequelae (myocardial infarction vs. sepsis), and (3) different target populations (e.g., health literacy) are considered. Results: An internal meta-analysis showed that the sequelae approach increases intentions ( SMD = .39 [.20;.59]) but not risk perception ( SMD = .09 [−.10;.27]). Unknown and known sequelae had an equal impact on vaccination intentions. None of the strategies (narratives vs. statistical texts, sequelae type) produced adverse reactions in people with low health literacy. In addition, no evidence was found for boomerang effects. Limitations: Even though our research was based on PMT, we cannot add evidence on self-efficacy or response efficacy as influential factors. Conclusion: Although increased risk perception is not the primary mechanism behind the sequelae approach, the results support the use of this strategy in educational interventions that target vaccine hesitancy.

Internet-Based Prevention of Re-Victimization for Youth with Care Experience (EMPOWER-YOUTH): Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Traumatic experiences and maltreatment are highly prevalent among adolescents in foster or institutional care and have severe long-term effects on mental health. Childhood maltreatment increases the risk of revictimization. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the internet-based prevention program EMPOWER YOUTH in reducing victimization experiences among youth with care experience. A total of 163 youth, that is, adolescents in foster or institutional care, adopted adolescents, or young care leavers aged 14 to 21 years (Mage = 17.68 years; SD = 2.11) were randomized to the six-module guided program or a wait-list control group. The primary endpoint was the decrease in victimization experiences at an 18-week follow-up. Secondary endpoints included risk perception, aggressive tendencies, empathy, prosocial behavior, depressiveness, post-traumatic stress symptoms, and loneliness. About half of the youth exhibited increased psychopathology. No significant interaction between time-point and group was found for victimization measures, though both groups saw a significant reduction over time (p = 0.012, ηp2 = 0.06; p = 0.017, ηp2 = 0.06). The intervention group showed a significant increase in perception of thrill-seeking and rebellious risks (p = 0.036, ηp2 = 0.04; p = 0.026, ηp2 = 0.05). While EMPOWER YOUTH effectively increased risk perception of thrill-seeking and rebellious behaviors, it should be considered an add-on to more intensive interventions for common mental health disorders in this vulnerable group, rather than a stand-alone online program.

Worried (and) sick: how environmental hazards affect Americans’ health-related risk attitudes

This study explores risk attitudes towards environmental hazards by adapting the Comprehensive Conceptual Risk Perception Model (CCRPM) and applying it in the context of health-related implications of these hazards. We argue that personal experience and a deeper understanding of environmental hazards increase risk perceptions, while a strong social context reduces health concerns. Utilizing data from a national survey (N = 1207), our findings reveal higher health-related risk perceptions among individuals with pre-existing health conditions. Additionally, those with greater knowledge of environmental threats exhibit heightened concern about health complications. Conversely, individuals in communities with robust social ties report lower risk attitudes. An in-depth analysis further indicates that residents of high-risk communities, characterized by higher levels of air pollution, have increased risk perceptions compared to those in less polluted areas. These findings reinforce the dimensions described in the CCRPM and highlight the significance of structural conditions in shaping individuals' risk perceptions.

Perceptual saturation in deterrence: Examining the nonlinear relationships between arrest rate signal and perceptions of risk and reward

PurposeExamining the functional form of the relationships between arrest rate signal and perceptions of risk and reward among active young offenders previously adjudicated of a serious offense. MethodsGeneralized additive mixed models were used to analyze data from 745 individuals in the Pathways to Desistance study. ResultsIncreasing arrest rate had a positive but diminishing nonlinear effect on risk and a negative but approximately linear effect on rewards. A saturation point was observed in the influence of arrest rate on perceptions of risk, where further increases in arrest rate did not correspond to appreciable changes in perceptions of risk. ConclusionsThe findings suggest a potential upper limit to the effectiveness of increased arrest rate in deterring crime through increasing risk perceptions and underscore the need for policy strategies beyond increasing experienced punishment certainty. However, the findings also highlight potential methodological concerns of using arrest rate as a predictor of perceptions, especially among a sample with large variation in offending frequencies. Research should account for the nonlinearity between punishment and perceived risk and reward, especially in samples with heterogeneous offending experience.

Risk Perception, Risk Preference, and Timing of Food Sales: New Insights into Farmers' Negativity in China.

Chinese farmers, especially small ones, always sell their food at low prices during harvest season rather than storing it for a better price. Based on a theoretical framework of expected utility, this paper examines the mechanism by which risk perception affects farmers' timing choices of food sales and the role played by risk preference, utilizing data from the 2019 China Family Database and the China Household Finance Survey of farmers in six provinces of the main wheat-producing regions. This study shows that farmers with a high risk perception are more likely to choose current sales compared with intertemporal sales. The channel and mechanism analysis finds that increased risk perception leads to risky returns from intertemporal sales lower than certain returns from current sales in utility comparisons. It is further found that risk preference has a substitution effect on risk perception in farmers' intertemporal food sales.

Is an accurate self-perceived health risk beneficial for patients to minimize prehospital delay time at onset of a ST-segment elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI)?

High risk perception (HRP) is fundamental for adequate health behavior. However, its impact on rapid access to cardiac care after the onset of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is not known. Conflicting evidence exists about sources that promote HRP. Data on sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of 588 AMI patients who participated in the Munich Examination of Delay in Patients Experiencing Acute Myocardial Infarction (MEDEA) study were collected at the bedside. Adjusted multivariate logistic regression models identified factors associated with HRP. Only 13.4% (n = 79) of patients had afavorable HRP level. The HRP patients did not differ from those with low risk perception (LRP) in terms of sex, age, other sociodemographic features, and somatic risk factors. Among the univariate contributors to HRP were prodromal chest pain (p = 0.0004), symptom mismatch during AMI (p < 0.0001), depression (p = 0.01), and anxiety (p = 0.005). However, family history of AMI, aprevious AMI, and knowledge of AMI remained significant in the multivariate regression model. Median delay time to reach ahospital-based emergency facility after the onset of AMI was 127 min (interquartile range [IQR]: 83-43, p = 0.02) in HRP patients and 216 min (IQR: 106-721) in LRP patients. An increasing risk perception score was associated with acorresponding stepwise decline in median delay time (p > 0.004). Self-perceived AMI risk is associated in adose-response relationship with the time needed to reach coronary care emergency facilities. Recurrent AMI, family history of AMI, and sufficient knowledge of MI contribute to risk perception, whereas somatic risk factors do not.

An exploratory analysis of factors leading to prevalence of distracted driving behavior in Pakistan

Distracted Driving Behavior is one of the leading factors responsible for road accidents. Using a case study of Pakistan, this study aimed to observe the effect of road type and conditions, trip timing, law enforcement, passenger type, and sociodemographic indicators on distracted driving behavior. The effect of driving experience on distracted driving behavior was also studied as a mediating variable. A questionnaire was prepared, and 501 responses were selected for this study. The PLS-SEM was employed to test the hypotheses of the study. The results showed that all the factors significantly influenced distracted driving behavior except passenger type. Trip timing had the strongest effect, suggesting drivers were more distracted during the daytime, possibly due to the ease of driving enabling environment, followed by significant effects of road type and conditions, age, and law enforcement. However, passenger presence did not significantly impact distracted driving in this study. The results indicate a need for suitable interventions with various stakeholders (policymakers, police, mental health experts, advocates, and community leaders) to raise awareness, change attitudes, and increase risk perception related to distracted driving behavior and its imperilments.

Message Effectiveness of Fear Appeals in Vaccination Communication Campaigns: A Systematic Review.

This systematic review of 54 cross-disciplinary peer-reviewed causal empirical studies helps public health officials, researchers, and healthcare professionals better comprehend the effects of fear appeals in vaccine promotional campaigns on message processing, persuasion, vaccination attitudes, and vaccination intentions. This review documents inconsistent findings across studies, which it attempts to clarify by considering differences in research designs, sample populations, and outcomes measured. In general, we find that fear appeals increase risk perceptions, message involvement, and vaccination attitudes. However, fear appeals have less influence on vaccination intentions, especially among female and general adult populations or populations from the U.S. and other Western cultures. On the other hand, the effect of fear appeals on vaccination intentions is stronger among student populations and those from China (People's Republic of China and Hong Kong) and other non-Western cultures. Also, fear appeals are less persuasive when promoting COVID-19 vaccines and boosters than they are for other vaccines (e.g., HPV, influenza, MMR). Future research should compare fear appeal effectiveness in messages across vaccines or when combined with other executional elements, such as the endorser or type of evidence provided. Finally, future studies should explore other methodological approaches and measure underexplored message outcomes, such as vaccine uptake behavior, in more naturalistic settings.

Believe me when I say green! Heterogeneous expectations and climate policy uncertainty

We develop a dynamic model where heterogeneous firms take investment decisions depending on their beliefs on future carbon prices. A policy-maker announces a forward-looking carbon price schedule but can decide to default on its plans if perceived transition risks are high. We show that weak policy commitment, especially when combined with ambitious mitigation announcements, can trap the economy into a vicious circle of credibility loss, carbon-intensive investments and increasing risk perceptions, ultimately leading to a failure of the transition. The presence of behavioural frictions and heterogeneity - both in capital investment choices and in the assessment of the policy-maker's credibility - has strong non-linear effects on the transition dynamics and the emergence of ‘high-carbon traps’. We identify analytical conditions leading to a successful transition and provide a numerical application for the EU economy.

The effect of information provision on consumers’ risk perceptions of, support for a ban, and behavioral intention towards the preventive use of antibiotics in food animals

BackgroundAntibiotics have been widely used in feed and drinking water for food animals to prevent them from getting sick. Such preventive use of antibiotics has become a contributor to increasing antibiotic resistance and thus poses threats to human health. However, consumers have little knowledge about this practice and the associated health risks of increasing transmission of antibiotic residues and antibiotic resistant bacteria. This study aimed to examine the effect of information provision on consumers’ risk perceptions, support for a ban, and behavioral intention regarding the preventive use of antibiotics in food animals. Especially, the study sought to test two competing hypotheses which were informed by two theoretical perspectives of fear appeal theory — the linear model and the plateau effect model. The former suggested that providing information on the health risks of both antibiotic residues and antibiotic resistant bacteria would have a stronger effect compared to providing information on only one of them, while the latter posited that providing information on both risks might not have additional influence, as the effect of information on either risk could reach the plateau.MethodsAn experimental study with four conditions was conducted where participants read different information on the health risks associated with the preventive use first and then answered questions regarding consumers’ risk perceptions, support for a ban, and behavioral intention regarding the preventive use. Condition 1 was the control condition, where basic information about antibiotics, antibiotic resistance, and the preventive use was provided. Condition 2 and Condition 3 further added information on the health risk of antibiotic residues (Condition 2) and antibiotic resistant bacteria (Condition 3) due to the preventive use, respectively. Condition 4 provided all information contained in the first three conditions.ResultsThe results showed that compared to participants in the control condition, participants in Conditions 2-4 reported higher risk perceptions, stronger support for a ban on the preventive use, and a higher intention to buy meat produced without the preventive use of antibiotics. However, there were no significant differences in these factors between Conditions 2-4, indicating that providing information on the health risk of either antibiotic residues, or antibiotic resistant bacteria, or both, has similar effect on these variables. That is, the hypothesis based on the plateau effect model was supported.ConclusionsThe findings suggested that informing the public with the health risk of either antibiotic residues or antibiotic resistant bacteria associated with the preventive use is effective enough to reach plateau effect in increasing risk perceptions, support for a ban, and behavioral intention, which has important implications for policymakers and livestock industries to develop effective communication strategies to promote responsible antibiotic use in food animals.

Knowledge, attitudes, practices, and risk perception of waterborneand foodborne diseases: a study with food handlers from food services

Introduction: Foodborne diseases (FBD) occur due to inadequate food handling; therefore, studies to evaluate the hygienic-sanitary aspects of food production are important. Objective: To evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, self-reported practices (KAP), and risk perception of DTHA from the perspective of food handlers in food services. Method: Questionnaires were administered through interviews, containing questions about the sociodemographic profile, KAP, and the risk perception of DTHA. The sample consisted of 30 handlers from 20 small food service establishments in Laranjeiras do Sul-PR. All participants signed an informed consent form. Results: Only 66.7% of the participants had participated in Good Practices training. The general average of knowledge was 84.7%, which was considered sufficient. All attitudes evaluated were above 70.0% for positive attitudes. Some handlers had negative attitudes toward hand hygiene (26.7%), food thawing (10.0%), and fruits and vegetables sanitation (10.0%). The interviewees showed adequate practices for most questions and inadequate practices, mainly for thawing (53.3%), wearing a uniform (20.0%), and temperature of perishable foods (10.0%). Handlers had a low-risk perception of DTHA in the food handled by them (93.3%), as well as for thawing at room temperature (53.4%) and use of non-potable water (30.0%). Conclusions: Knowledge and attitude were not translated into practice. It is necessary to conduct training in good practices to improve the knowledgeof food handlers about the correct handling of food and, above all, to increase risk perception and motivate positive attitudes and appropriate practices to produce safe food.

E-cigarette use, perceived risks, attitudes, opinions of e-cigarette policies, and associated factors among Thai university students.

Although many countries, including Thailand, currently ban the sale of e-cigarettes, their use continues to rise, especially among young adults. Since the study of e-cigarette use among university students is limited, this study aimed to determine factors associated with e-cigarette use and explore university students' attitudes toward e-cigarettes, perceived risk, and opinion of e-cigarette policies. This cross-sectional study was conducted among undergraduate students using convenience sampling in a university, in central Thailand from November 2022 to February 2023. A self-administered online questionnaire was distributed to 19 faculties representing health sciences, science and technology, social and arts faculties, and the International College. A total of 548 students completed the online questionnaire, and 20.4% reported ever using e-cigarettes, while 40% of e-cigarette users were unsure about the nicotine content. About 28% agreed, and 22% were unsure whether e-cigarettes could help quit smoking. Most students perceived that e-cigarettes are addictive and harmful, while about half of the participants agreed with the policy related to e-cigarettes in Thailand. Students with positive attitudes towards e-cigarettes were more likely to use e-cigarettes (AOR=1.15; 95% CI: 1.08-1.22), and those with lower perceived risk (AOR=0.89; 95% CI: 0.82-0.96) and who disagreed with e-cigarettes policy (AOR=0.93; 95% CI: 0.89-0.97) were more likely to use e-cigarettes. Personal income and having friends who use e-cigarettes were the significant predictors for e-cigarette use, while studying in the faculty of science and technology was a predictor of using e-cigarettes last month. Although the perceived risk was high, about half of the students thought that e-cigarettes could help them quit smoking and were unsure or disagreed with e-cigarette banning policies. Attitude, perceived risk, policy opinions, personal income, and having friends who used e-cigarettes, were associated with e-cigarette use. Thus, correcting misunderstandings and increasing risk perceptions about e-cigarettes must be advocated among university students.

Challenges in Media Attention toward COVID-19-Preventive Behaviors: Dual Roles of Threat and Perceived Capability for Information Systems and Health Care.

Based on the extended parallel process model, this study investigated the relationship between young adults' media exposure to COVID-19 and their adoption of protective behaviors. This study surveyed 141 college students and found that increased risk perceptions led to greater intentions to engage in COVID-19-preventive behaviors and that these intentions were mediated by normative beliefs. There was no significant difference in risk perceptions between traditional media and social media. The results showed that college students took precautions against COVID-19 because they perceived themselves to be both vulnerable and capable.

Completion of three-dose hepatitis B vaccination cycle and associated factors among health care workers in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana.

Despite the availability of a safe and effective vaccine coupled with the awareness of the potential risk of Healthcare Workers acquiring Hepatitis B Virus infection, some HCWs never get vaccinated. Generally, hepatitis B vaccination coverage globally is below the expected level as adherence has remained poor in various healthcare settings, especially in developing countries. The objective of this study was to assess the completion of a three-dose Hepatitis B virus vaccination cycle and associated factors among healthcare workers in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted and included 363 healthcare workers selected using probability sampling procedures. The participants were recruited from five facilities within the Greater Accra Region in the first half of 2018. A pretested questionnaire was used to collect data which was analyzed using SPSS version 21. The proportion of healthcare workers receiving the recommended 3 doses of the hepatitis vaccine was computed. The multivariable analysis procedure identified the factors associated with adherence to the receipt of three doses of the hepatitis B vaccine. Odds ratios were estimated with corresponding confidence intervals with the level of significance set at 0.05. A total of 340 sample units were included in the analysis. Most of the participants (252/340, 74.1%) were females, mainly nurses/midwives (162/340, 47.6%) with a mean age of 34.5 (SD ±7.7). A high proportion of the participants (82.7%) have tertiary/post-tertiary level education and ever participated in at least one training workshop on the prevention of blood-borne infections (80.6%). Overall vaccination uptake was 60.9% (207/340) (95% CI = 55.7%-66.1%). Complete vaccination coverage (three doses) was 46.8% (159/340). High-risk perception (AOR = 4.0; 95% CI = 1.3-12.5), and previous training in infection prevention (AOR = 2.8; 95% CI = 1.1-7.5) were significantly associated with adherence to receipt of three doses of hepatitis B vaccine. Adherence to three-dose hepatitis B vaccination cycles is not universal among the healthcare workers in the Greater Accra Region. Receipt of the three-dose regimen is significantly associated with high-risk perception and attendance of training in infectious disease prevention. Interventions to increase risk perception and training in the prevention of blood-borne infections could improve adherence to complete/full vaccination protocol among healthcare workers who are at constant risk of exposure to the hepatitis B virus.

Risk perception, risk preference and farmers’ indifference in grain sales

ABSTRACT This paper examines the mechanisms by which risk perception affects farmers’ timing of grain sales and the role played by risk preference based on 2019 China Family Database and China Household Finance Survey. The results indicate that high risk perception is more likely to lead farmers to current sales compared with intertemporal sales. It reveals that the underlying reason for farmers’ indifference in grain sales is the increased risk perception under constraints, which causes risky returns from intertemporal sales lower than certain returns from current sales in utility comparison. It is further found that risk preference has a substitution effect on risk perception in farmers’ intertemporal grain sales.