Perceived Risk Of COVID-19 Research Articles

The level of anxiety in healthcare workers and their children during the COVID-19 pandemic

During the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare workers (HcWs) reported having high levels of psychological stress caused by the risk of being infected and infecting their families, social isolation, and inadequate protective equipment. This study aimed to determine the level of anxiety and related factors in HcWs and their children during the first phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey. Online questionnaires were sent to HcWs with children aged 8–18 years via e-mail and WhatsApp messages. In total, 144 HcWs and 135 of their children participated in this study.HcWs completed the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory state subscale (STAI-S) and the COVID-19 Risk Perception Scale. Their children completed the Screen for Child Anxiety-Related Emotional Disorders (SCARED). STAI-S and COVID-19 Risk Perception Scale scores of the HcWs in direct contact with COVID-19 patients were significantly higher than of those not in direct contact. Moreover, the children of HcWs that were in direct contact with COVID-19 patients had significantly higher SCARED subscale scores than those whose parents were not in direct contact. There was a significant correlation between the SCARED somatic/panic subscale scores and HcW STAI-S scores. The presence of a mental illness and direct contact with COVID-19 patients were the 2 main predictors of COVID-19 risk perception and the level of anxiety in HcWs. During the COVID-19 pandemic the children of HcWs were observed to be a mentally sensitive group, and preventive mental health programs should be developed.

Risk perception of Ebola virus disease and COVID-19 among transport drivers living in Ugandan border districts.

Cross-border movements between districts bordering Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are common due to the interdependence between populations on either side, though this increases the risk of the international spread of infectious diseases. Due to the nature of their work, boda boda drivers (motorcycle taxis), taxis and truck drivers continue to cross the border during epidemics. However, perceived risk of contracting and spreading communicable diseases may be influenced by several factors such as the level of education, packaging and perception of health care messages, limited interaction with local socio-cultural dynamics or personal experiences. This study aims to explore differences in movement patterns and risk perceptions as factors for transmission among transport drivers in Ugandan border districts during the 2018-2020 Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) epidemic and the current COVID-19 pandemic. Between May and June 2021, in-depth interviews and focus group discussions were conducted with transport drivers in three Ugandan districts bordering DRC (Kasese, Kisoro and Hoima). Participants were asked about their knowledge and beliefs about EVD and COVID-19, perceived risk during epidemics, reasons for, and travel patterns during the EVD epidemic and COVID- 19 pandemic. A thematic content analysis was applied. Participants' awareness of EVD was higher than that of COVID-19 however, the risk of transmission of Ebola virus was perceived as a remote threat. Measures restricting mobility during the COVID-19 pandemic had a greater impact on transport drivers compared to those implemented during the EVD epidemic, and were perceived as prohibitive rather than protective, largely due to fear of reprisals by security officers. Despite this, drivers were unlikely to be able to comply with the restrictions as they relied on their work as a source of income. The vulnerabilities of transport drivers should be considered in the context of epidemics such EVD and COVID-19 in Uganda. Policy makers should address these particularities and assess the impact of public health measures on transport drivers' mobility and involve them in designing of mobility-relatedpolicies.

Generation Z's COVID-19 risk perception and socially responsible behaviors influencing intentions to participate in the tourism stimulus campaign

PurposeThis study leverages an integrated framework that uses the theory of planned behavior (TPB), risk perception and sustainable behavior to investigate the COVID-19 risk perception of a potentially powerful consumer group – generation Z – on decisions to participate in the domestic tourism stimulus campaign and their willingness to practice socially responsible behaviors.Design/methodology/approachSelf-administered questionnaires were used to collect data. The study adopts partial least squares-structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) to examine the data with the final sample of 422 generation Z in Thailand.FindingsThe COVID-19 perceived risk positively affects attitudes, perceived behavioral control and the intention to join domestic tourism campaign, affecting the desire to engage in sustainable behaviors when traveling. Attitude and perceived behavioral control mediated risk perception and the decision to join the campaign. Unlike other studies, generation Z is conscious of the situation but is not risk-averse to travel.Practical implicationsThe study offers recommendations (and domestic tourism campaign's features) for government agencies and tourism partitioners, especially developing tourism destinations, to effectively launch domestic tourism campaigns to target generation Z during and after post-pandemic crises.Originality/valueThis study contributes to our limited understanding of generation Z's travel behaviors. It contributes to the extended use of TPB, risk perception and socially responsible conduct of such a specific generation. It is one of the first studies integrating the COVID-19 risk perception of generation Z and their intention to utilize the stimulus campaign.

The Relationship of Covid-19 Risk Perception with Health Protocol Compliance in Universitas Negeri Makassar Students

The Covid-19 pandemic has entered its third year and still shows no signs of ending, this is due to the low compliance to health protocols which is influenced by individual assessments of the risk from Covid-19 itself. This study aims to determine the relationship between Covid-19 risk perception and health protocols compliance of Universitas Negeri Makassar students. This research uses quantitative methods. Respondents in this study were 211 students at Universitas Negeri Makassar. Hypothesis testing in this study using Product Moment. The results of the hypothesis test showed a correlation value of r = 0.563 with a significance value of p = 0.000 (p < 0.05). This means that there is a relationship between the Covid-19 risk perception and health protocols compliance of Universitas Negeri Makassar students. The correlation value shows a positive value which means that Covid-19 risk perception and health protocols compliance is positively correlated and is in the moderate category. The positive correlation value indicates that the higher the students Covid-19 risk perception, the higher the health protocols compliance. Conversaly, the lower the Covid-19 risk perception that students have, the lower the health protocols compliance. This research contributes to the fields of Social Psychology and Political Psychology related to student reactions and behavior in pandemic situations.

Information seeking during the COVID-19 pandemic: Application of the risk information seeking and processing model.

To limit the risk of contracting the coronavirus, it is crucial for individuals to attain accurate COVID-19 related information. Once equipped with such information, they can engage in risk preventive behaviors. Applying the risk information seeking and processing (RISP) model, this study examined the sociopsychological factors predisposing individuals' information-seeking intentions. This study employed a cross-sectional survey design. Using an online survey platform, study participants were recruited from US adults. A total of 510 valid responses were included in the analyses. Multivariate regression analyses were conducted in a hierarchical fashion while controlling for numerous covariates to determine the relationships between the sociopsychological variables and information-seeking intentions. Sociodemographic disparities were found in perceptions of COVID-19 risk. Perceived risk of coronavirus infection was higher among females, individuals with a history of COVID-19 symptoms, and those in a lower health status. Individuals' perceived risk provoked affective responses (e.g., worry and fear), which then increased self-perceived information insufficiency. This finding indicated individuals experienced worry and fear after perceiving the risk of coronavirus. Such affective responses made them realize that their current COVID-19 related knowledge was insufficient. Subjective norms were also found to increase information insufficiency. In other words, individuals who desired to comply with others' expectations to acquire knowledge about the risk recognized that their current knowledge about coronavirus was insufficient. Finally, individuals who acknowledged information insufficiency were motivated to seek information about the coronavirus. The relation between information insufficiency and information-seeking intentions was moderated by perceived information gathering capacity, but not by relevant channel beliefs. The findings suggest that policy makers and clinicians assist the public in obtaining accurate information from reliable sources.

Gender differences in COVID-19 knowledge, risk perception, and public stigma among the general community: Findings from a nationwide cross-sectional study in India

IntroductionIndividual and community characteristics predictive of knowledge, perception, and attitude on COVID-19, specifically on gender, have not been adequately explored. ObjectiveTo examine the gender differences in COVID-19 knowledge, self-risk perception and public stigma among the general community and to understand other socio-demographic factors which were predictive of them. MethodA nationally representative cross-sectional multi-centric survey was conducted among adult individuals(≥18 yrs) from the community member (N = 1978) from six states and one union territory of India between August 2020 to February 2021. The participants were selected using systematic random sampling. The data were collected telephonically using pilot-tested structured questionnaires and were analyzed using STATA. Gender-segregated multivariable analysis was conducted to identify statistically significant predictors (p < 0.05) of COVID-19-related knowledge, risk perception, and public stigma in the community. ResultsStudy identified significant differences between males and females in their self-risk perception (22.0% & 18.2% respectively) and stigmatizing attitude (55.3% & 47.1% respectively). Highly educated males and females had higher odds of having COVID-19 knowledge (aOR: 16.83: p < 0.05) than illiterates. Highly educated women had higher odds of having self-risk perception (aOR: 2.6; p < 0.05) but lower public stigma [aOR: 0.57; p < 0.05]. Male rural residents had lower odds of having self-risk perception and knowledge [aOR: 0.55; p < 0.05 & aOR: 0.72; p < 0.05] and female rural residents had higher odds of having public stigma [aOR: 1.36; p < 0.05]. ConclusionOur study findings suggest the importance of considering thegender differentials and their background, education status and residential status in designing effective interventions to improve knowledge and reduce risk perception and stigma in the community about COVID-19.

Community dialogue meetings among district leaders improved their willingness to receive COVID-19 vaccines in Western Uganda, May 2021

BackgroundWidespread COVID-19 vaccine uptake can facilitate epidemic control. A February 2021 study in Uganda suggested that public vaccine uptake would follow uptake among leaders. In May 2021, Baylor Uganda led community dialogue meetings with district leaders from Western Uganda to promote vaccine uptake. We assessed the effect of these meetings on the leaders’ COVID-19 risk perception, vaccine concerns, perception of vaccine benefits and access, and willingness to receive COVID-19 vaccine.MethodsAll departmental district leaders in the 17 districts in Western Uganda, were invited to the meetings, which lasted approximately four hours. Printed reference materials about COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccines were provided to attendees at the start of the meetings. The same topics were discussed in all meetings. Before and after the meetings, leaders completed self-administered questionnaires with questions on a five-point Likert Scale about risk perception, vaccine concerns, perceived vaccine benefits, vaccine access, and willingness to receive the vaccine. We analyzed the findings using Wilcoxon’s signed-rank test.ResultsAmong 268 attendees, 164 (61%) completed the pre- and post-meeting questionnaires, 56 (21%) declined to complete the questionnaires due to time constraints and 48 (18%) were already vaccinated. Among the 164, the median COVID-19 risk perception scores changed from 3 (neutral) pre-meeting to 5 (strong agreement with being at high risk) post-meeting (p < 0.001). Vaccine concern scores reduced, with medians changing from 4 (worried about vaccine side effects) pre-meeting to 2 (not worried) post-meeting (p < 0.001). Median scores regarding perceived COVID-19 vaccine benefits changed from 3 (neutral) pre-meeting to 5 (very beneficial) post-meeting (p < 0.001). The median scores for perceived vaccine access increased from 3 (neutral) pre-meeting to 5 (very accessible) post-meeting (p < 0.001). The median scores for willingness to receive the vaccine changed from 3 (neutral) pre-meeting to 5 (strong willingness) post-meeting (p < 0.001).ConclusionCOVID-19 dialogue meetings led to district leaders’ increased risk perception, reduced concerns, and improvement in perceived vaccine benefits, vaccine access, and willingness to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. These could potentially influence public vaccine uptake if leaders are vaccinated publicly as a result. Broader use of such meetings with leaders could increase vaccine uptake among themselves and the community.

An assessment of the water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) situation in rural Volta Region, Ghana

Access to safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) is a fundamental human right. However, inadequate and unequal access prevail in resource-poor settings and contribute to morbidity/mortality from diarrhoeal and other diseases. WASH-related access has improved in some districts in Ghana but little is known about the situation in many other parts. The WASH situation in two rural districts of the Volta Region was assessed to help identify specific areas for support in a cross-sectional study. Seven hundred and twenty (720) households were randomly selected and their household heads or representatives interviewed using a structured questionnaire in the Ho West and Adaklu districts. Data were collected on respondents’ demographic characteristics including education level, household characteristics including type of toilet facility and sources of water, 2-week prevalence of symptoms of water-borne diseases and handwashing practices. Summary statistics were conducted and Chi-square analysis done for association between selected variables. Results with a p-value of &lt;0.05 were considered statistically significant. Almost all households (97.9%, 706/720) had access to improved water sources with piped water and sachet water being the most common. Also, 73.3% (526/718) of respondents had access to improved sanitation facilities but many of these were shared. A third of respondents (33.4%, 240/718) practiced open defecation. Significant differences existed between the Ho West and Adaklu districts regarding use of improved toilet facilities (92.1% vs 50.5%; p&lt;0.001), in-house location of toilet facilities (51.2% vs 41.9%; p = 0.013) and in-house water sources (32.4% vs 13.5%; p&lt;0.001). Up to 95% (679/718) of respondents indicated that they washed their hands with soap and water after using the toilet, before cooking and on arrival home from outside but these were suspected to be influenced by COVID-19 risk perceptions. Households need support to own toilet facilities in adequate numbers for household sizes. This would assist in minimizing open defecation.

Polarized perceptions: how time and vaccination status modify Republican and Democratic COVID-19 risk perceptions

ABSTRACT Previous studies show Republicans have lower risk perceptions of COVID-19 than Democrats. Has this gap in risk perception been consistent throughout the course of the pandemic? Using longitudinal data from the Understanding America Study’s Understanding Coronavirus in America longitudinal panel survey, we examine how time and vaccination status have changed Republican and Democratic risk perceptions of engaging in various activities (such as grocery shopping, visiting friends and family etc.) as well as risk perceptions of infection, hospitalization, and death due to COVID-19. We find that while Republicans have lowered their perceived risk of activity more than Democrats over time, vaccinated Democrats have lowered their perceived risk of infection, hospitalization, and death more than vaccinated Republicans. These results are robust to inclusion of media consumption and social media use. This divergence on the two measures of risk from COVID-19 may complicate leaders’ efforts to move on from the politics of the pandemic toward a return to “normal.”

Risk perception in the era of COVID-19 and related factors among nurses: A cross-sectional study.

Our study aimed at investigating the risk perception of nurses and related factors in the era of COVID-19 period. Cross-sectional study. Four hundred and forty-two participants completed an online questionnaire relating to their risk perception on public health emergencies. Data were collected between 25 November 2020 and 1 December 2020. Kruskal-Wallis test, Mann-Whitney U test and Ordinal logistic regression analysis were used to examine factors impacting on risk perception. 65.2% of nurses' risk perception of COVID-19 was the moderate level even below the moderate level in the postperiod of COVID-19. Kruskal-Wallis test results indicated significant differences in gender, age, education status, working years, professional title, postlevel, COVID-19 contact experience, marital status and health status (p < 0.05). Ordinal logistic regression showed that gender, education status, professional title, work department, COVID-19 contact experience, character, health status and nursing work environment are associated with risk perception (p < 0.05). No Patient or Public Contribution.

The Interplay of Perceived Risks and Benefits in Deciding to Become Vaccinated against COVID-19 While Pregnant or Breastfeeding: A Cross-Sectional Study in Italy.

The present study examined the role of the perception of risks and benefits for the mother and her babies in deciding about the COVID-19 vaccination. In this cross-sectional study, five hypotheses were tested using data from a convenience sample of Italian pregnant and/or breastfeeding women (N = 1104, July-September 2021). A logistic regression model estimated the influence of the predictors on the reported behavior, and a beta regression model was used to evaluate which factors influenced the willingness to become vaccinated among unvaccinated women. The COVID-19 vaccination overall risks/benefits tradeoff was highly predictive of both behavior and intention. Ceteris paribus, an increase in the perception of risks for the baby weighed more against vaccination than a similar increase in the perception of risks for the mother. Additionally, pregnant women resulted in being less likely (or willing) to be vaccinated in their status than breastfeeding women, but they were equally accepting of vaccination if they were not pregnant. COVID-19 risk perception predicted intention to become vaccinated, but not behavior. In conclusion, the overall risks/benefits tradeoff is key in predicting vaccination behavior and intention, but the concerns for the baby weigh more than those for the mother in the decision, shedding light on this previously neglected aspect.

How counterfactual thinking affects willingness to consume green restaurant products: Mediating role of regret and moderating role of COVID-19 risk perception

Given the severe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, one may wonder how this situation might have differed if green consumption had been prioritized. Counterfactual thinking is a psychological concept wherein people ponder alternative outcomes of events that have already happened. This paper presents two experiments to explore (a) the effect of counterfactual thinking on individuals' willingness to consume green restaurant products and (b) the roles that regret and risk perception play in the main effect. Study 1 revealed that consumers who think counterfactually express stronger willingness to consume green restaurant products than those who do not think counterfactually. A partial mediating effect of regret was also confirmed in this process. Study 2 showed that risk perception moderates the impact of counterfactual thinking on one's willingness to consume green restaurant products. Theoretical contributions of these findings to counterfactual thinking theories are discussed, and managerial implications for tourism marketing are provided.

The moderator role of COVID-19 risk perception in the impact of festival experience quality on life satisfaction

PurposeCultural festivals have started to be held face-to-face with masks and distance measures after the gradual lifting of restrictions following the COVID-19 pandemic. On the other hand, the risk of COVID-19 transmission continues. This study aimed to test the relationship between participants' experience quality and life satisfaction and the moderator role of the COVID-19 risk perception in this relationship within the scope of the Festival on Wheels (Gezici Festival) as a cultural festival.Design/methodology/approachThe data were collected by face-to-face and online survey techniques in Ankara, Sinop and Kastamonu cities in the context of the 26th Festival on Wheels. A total of 130 questionnaires were collected, and structural equation modelling was applied to the data analysis.FindingsAccording to the findings, the experience quality with the dimensions of entertainment and escape has a significant effect on life satisfaction. On the other hand, the perceived risk of COVID-19 does not have a statistically significant effect on this relationship.Originality/valueThe results indicate that experience quality directly affects subjective life satisfaction, while the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on event experiences and outcomes has begun to disappear.

COVID-19 risk perception and vaccine acceptance in individuals with self-reported chronic respiratory or autoimmune conditions

BackgroundCOVID-19 disproportionately affects those with preexisting conditions, but little research has determined whether those with chronic diseases view the pandemic itself differently - and whether there are differences between chronic diseases. We theorized that while individuals with respiratory disease or autoimmune disorders would perceive greater threat from COVID-19 and be more supportive of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs), those with autoimmune disorders would be less likely to support vaccination-based interventions.MethodsWe conducted a two-wave online survey conducted in February and November 2021 asking respondents their beliefs about COVID-19 risk perception, adoption and support of interventions, willingness to be vaccinated against COVID-19, and reasons for vaccination. Regression analysis was conducted to assess the relationship of respondents reporting a chronic disease and COVID-19 behaviors and attitudes, compared to healthy respondents adjusting for demographic and political factors.ResultsIn the initial survey, individuals reporting a chronic disease had both stronger feelings of risk from COVID-19 as well as preferences for NPIs than healthy controls. The only NPI that was still practiced significantly more compared to healthy controls in the resample was limiting trips outside of the home. Support for community-level NPIs was higher among individuals reporting a chronic disease than healthy controls and remained high among those with respiratory diseases in sample 2. Vaccine acceptance produced more divergent results: those reporting chronic respiratory diseases were 6% more willing to be vaccinated than healthy controls, while we found no significant difference between individuals with autoimmune diseases and healthy controls. Respondents with chronic respiratory disease and those with autoimmune diseases were more likely to want to be vaccinated to protect themselves from COVID-19, and those with an autoimmune disease were more likely to report fear of a bad vaccine reaction as the reason for vaccine hesitancy. In the resample, neither those with respiratory diseases nor autoimmune diseases reported being more willing to receive a booster vaccine than healthy controls.ConclusionsIt is not enough to recognize the importance of health in determining attitudes: nuanced differences between conditions must also be recognized.

Social identification and risk dynamics: How perceptions of (inter)personal and collective risk impact the adoption of COVID-19 preventative behaviors.

Public adoption of preventative behaviors to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 is crucial to managing the pandemic, and so it is vital to determine what factors influence the uptake of those behaviors. Previous studies have identified COVID-19 risk perceptions as a key factor, but this work has typically been limited both in assuming that risk means risk to the personal self, and in being reliant on self-reported data. Drawing on the social identity approach, we conducted two online studies in which we investigated the effects of two different types of risk on preventative measure taking: risk to the personal self and risk to the collective self (i.e., members of a group with which one identifies). Both studies involved behavioral measures using innovative interactive tasks. In Study 1 (n=199; data collected 27 May 2021), we investigated the effects of (inter)personal and collective risk on physical distancing. In Study 2 (n=553; data collected 20 September 2021), we investigated the effects of (inter)personal and collective risk on the speed at which tests are booked as COVID-19 symptoms develop. In both studies, we find that perceptions of collective risk, but not perceptions of (inter)personal risk, influence the extent to which preventative measures are adopted. We discuss the implications both conceptually (as they relate to both the conceptualization of risk and social identity processes) and also practically (in terms of the implications for public health communications).

Covid-19 Risk Perception in a Sample of Iranian Population

"How people behave in an emergency depends on many social, cultural, and contextual factors. This study aimed to determine the COVID-19 risk perception in Iranian people. This study was descriptive. The study population was the assistant of patients who had come to Baqiyatallah Hospital in 2021. The number of participants was 500. The study tool was the COVID-19 risk assessment questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS-22 software. The mean risk perception score was 2.78(±0.6) on a 7-point scale. The lowest and highest mean of the predictors of risk perception in COVID-19 was trust in government and personal efficacy, respectively. There was a significant difference between men and women in the mean of collective efficacy (P= 0.032). Social knowledge (p=0.007), trust in science (p=0.001), and trust in medical professionals (p=0.050) in positive direct experience people were significantly more than in people with negative direct experience of COVID-19. The most important predictors of risk perception in the COVID-19 epidemic were gender, education, social knowledge, and trust in science (P&lt;0.05). People's perception of the risk of COVID-19 depends on several various factors, the most important factors were gender, level of education, social knowledge, and people's trust in science. "

Safety Leadership, Covid-19 Risk Perception, and Safety Behavior: The Moderator Role of Work Pressure

Safety Leadership, Covid-19 Risk Perception, and Safety Behavior: The Moderator Role of Work Pressure

생활체육 참가자의 코로나19 위험지각이 스트레스와 운동지속의도에 미치는 영향

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of COVID-19 risk perception on stress and exercise adherence intention for sport participants. Preparing for COVID-19 situation and POST-COVID conditions, this study is to provide basic data for establishing an environment for exercise adherence intention for sports participants and establishing marketing strategy.BR The method used in the study is questionnaire, it was conducted for Adult men and women over 20 years of age in sports participants. 335 of 356 data were used for analysis, the data was analyzed by SPSS 27.0. Frequency analysis, reliability analysis with Cronbach’s ɑ, EFA, correlation analysis, and multi-regression analysis were conducted. The significance level was set at a=.5, and the result were as follows.BR First, social environment perception in COVID-19 risk perception variable had positive impact on exercise adherence intention. Second, economic perception, social environment perception, interpersonal relation perception in COVID-19 risk perception variable had positive impact on COVID-19 stress. Third, stress from fear of infection, stress from challenges due to social distancing, stress from anger at people who COVID-19 quarantine breakers in COVID-19 stress variable had not positive impact on exercise adherence intention.

Americans’ COVID-19 risk perceptions and risk perception predictors changed over time

Identifying and understanding risk perceptions—“how bad are the harms” to humans or to what they value that people see as potentially or actually arising from entities or events—has been critical for risk analysis, both for its own sake, and for expected associations between risk perceptions and subsequent outcomes, such as risky or protective behavior, or support for hazard management policies. Cross-sectional surveys have been the dominant method for identifying and understanding risk perceptions, yielding valuable data. However, cross-sectional surveys are unable to probe the dynamics of risk perceptions over time, which is critical to do while living in a dynamically hazardous world and to build causal understandings. Building upon earlier longitudinal panel studies of Americans’ Ebola and Zika risk perceptions using multi-level modeling to assess temporal changes in these views and inter-individual factors affecting them, we examined patterns in Americans’ COVID-19 risk perceptions in six waves across 14 months. The findings suggest that, in general, risk perceptions increased from February 2020 to April 2021, but with varying trends across different risk perception measures (personal, collective, affective, affect, severity, and duration). Factors in baseline risk perceptions (Wave 1) and inter-individual differences across waves differed even more: baseline ratings were associated with how immediate the threat is (temporal distance) and how likely the threat would affect people like oneself (social distance), and following the United States news about the pandemic. Inter-individual trend differences were shaped most by temporal distance, whether local coronavirus infections were accelerating their upward trend, and subjective knowledge about viral transmission. Associations of subjective knowledge and risk trend with risk perceptions could change signs (e.g. from positive to negative) over time. These findings hold theoretical implications for risk perception dynamics and taxonomies, and research design implications for studying risk perception dynamics and their comparison across hazards.

Development of a COVID-19 Disease Risk Perception Scale

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has affected several areas of society, such as social life, the economy, education, and the provision of health services. The need to evaluate individuals’ risk perception has assumed particular importance in this situation in which people find themselves. Objectives: This study aimed to develop a “COVID-19 Disease Risk Perception Scale” for determining COVID-19 risk perceptions in the adult patient group during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: The proposed scale form was established once the content validity of the item pool created by the research team had been evaluated by experts. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis for construct validity, item-total correlation, Cronbach alpha coefficients, and the test-retest method were employed to determine criterion-dependent validity and reliability in a group of 564 individuals aged 18-73. Results: Following exploratory factor analysis, a nine-factor structure explaining 61.733% of variance was established. Confirmatory factor analysis results were found within the values defined in the literature. The Cronbach alpha coefficient of the scale was 0.906, with an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.881 (P&lt;0.001). Conclusion: The developed scale is a valid and reliable inventory capable of using in the examination and evaluation of risk perception of COVID-19 disease in the adult age group.