Understanding Of Risk Perception Research Articles

Words matter: descriptors for nicotine that comes from tobacco and descriptors for synthetic nicotine that is created in a laboratory differentially impact understanding of nicotine source and risk perceptions

BackgroundNicotine products increasingly contain synthetic nicotine made in a lab (NML), not from tobacco. ‘Tobacco-free nicotine’ is most often used to describe NML commercially, but other descriptors are emerging (eg,...

Understanding Risk Perception and Investment Decision-Making in the Context of Sustainable Development Goals: A Study of the Pakistan Stock Exchange

The major purpose of this study is to assess the Impact of Risk Perception on Investment Decision Making in Pakistan Stock Exchange. Furthermore, to get an idea that which variables and processes are more important for the investment decision making in exchange sector of Pakistan. For this research the dependent variable is investment decision making and independent variables are factors (market risk, political risk, and economic risk). This study employed a quantitative research approach, utilizing a questionnaire design to collect information. The questionnaire was structured into five sections. The sampling technique employed was random sampling, and the respondents consisted of working professionals from Islamabad who showed an interest in investments. A total of 250 respondents were contacted for data collection. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS software, utilizing descriptive analysis through tables and their corresponding analysis. Additionally, inferential analysis was performed using regression methods to facilitate hypothesis testing. This research finds the Impact of Risk Perception on Investment Decision Making in Pakistan Stock Exchange. The outcome of this journal can be helpful for the investment sector. It elaborates which factors for investment decision making should be focused on more to engage more potential in the stock exchange sector.

Public awareness, risk perceptions and behaviour towards antibiotic use in food-producing animals and antimicrobial resistance in Malaysia: A cross-sectional study

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global public health problem, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, including Malaysia. Understanding risk perceptions on antimicrobial use (AMU) in food-producing animals from the general public perspective is an essential component in addressing AMR. However, little is known about public risk perceptions of AMU and AMR in food-producing animals in Malaysia. The objectives of this study were to assess the level of awareness, risk perceptions, and behaviour regarding antibiotic use in food-producing animals and antimicrobial resistance and to examine the factors associated with risk perceptions and the relationship between knowledge, awareness, risk perceptions and behaviour among the general public in Malaysia. A cross-sectional survey was used. Both descriptive and analytical statistics were used to analyse data and present results. Correlation and regression analyses were conducted to examine the factors associated with risk perceptions and the relationship between risk perceptions and behaviour. A total of 416 individuals participated in the study. The majority of the participants (69.2 %) had low knowledge of antibiotics and antibiotic use in food-producing animals. The levels of awareness of antibiotic use and the perceived route of antibiotic resistance transfer were moderate. Participants had a high level of general risk perception (GRP) of antibiotic use, a moderate level of personal-level risk perception (PRP) of antibiotic resistance transmission, and a high level of societal-level risk perception (SRP) of antibiotic resistance transmission. Awareness of antibiotic use was a significant predictor of GRP (β = 0.27, 95 %CI: 0.12–0.31, P < 0.001). Awareness of route of resistance transfer was a significant predictor of PRP (β = 0.54, 95 %CI: 0.32–0.44, P < 0.001) and SRP (β = 0.47, 95 %CI: 0.32–0.46, P < 0.001). PRP is the only significant predictor of behavioural changes towards antibiotic use and antibiotic resistance (OR = 1.45 [1.02–2.07], P = 0.041). Overall, there is a general lack of knowledge and little awareness of antibiotic use and antibiotic resistance in food-producing animals in Malaysia. Risk perceptions were moderate to high and were significantly predicted by awareness of antibiotic use and route of resistance transfer. Personal-level risk perception was a significant predictor of behavioural changes aimed at reducing the risk of AMU and AMR. It is imperative to raise public awareness and understanding of the risks associated with AMU in food-producing animals. Risk communication should be emphasised to ensure the translation of public risk perceptions into behavioural changes.

Exploring HIV risk perception mechanisms among youth in a test-and-treat trial in Kenya and Uganda.

Understanding risk perception and risk-taking among youth can inform targeted prevention efforts. Using a health beliefs model-informed framework, we analysed 8 semi-structured, gender-specific focus group discussions with 93 youth 15-24 years old (48% male, 52% female), drawn from the SEARCH trial in rural Kenya and Uganda in 2017-2018, coinciding with the widespread introduction of PrEP. Highly connected social networks and widespread uptake of antiretrovirals shaped youth HIV risk perception. Amid conflicting information about HIV prevention methods, youth felt exposed to multiple HIV risk factors like the high prevalence of HIV, belief that people with HIV(PWH) purposefully infect others, dislike of condoms, and doubts about PrEP efficacy. Young women also reported minimal sexual autonomy in the context of economic disadvantages, the ubiquity of intergenerational and transactional sex, and peer pressure from other women to have many boyfriends. Young men likewise reported vulnerability to intergenerational sex, but also adopted a sexual conquest mentality. Comprehensive sexuality education and economic empowerment, through credible and trusted sources, may moderate risk-taking. Messaging should leverage youth's social networks to spread fact-based, gender- and age-appropriate information. PrEP should be offered alongside other reproductive health services to address both pregnancy concerns and reduce HIV risk.

Desensitised flood risk perception to extensive disasters in a marginalised urban kampong in Indonesia

ABSTRACT Worldwide, flood risk is on the rise. Simultaneously, the UNDRR fears that humanity’s risk perception is broken. Low-intensity, high-frequency extensive floods are cumulatively the most damaging phenomenon. However, risk perception in the context of extensive floods is widely under-researched. Indonesia is on the nexus of low-risk perceptions, extensive flood risk and poverty. Therefore, a socio-economically marginalised and frequently flooded urban kampong where residents appear to exhibit low levels of risk perception, serves as a case for this study. Data was gathered through five months of fieldwork in Pontianak, West-Kalimantan, consisting of participatory observations and semi-structured interviews. While studies often focus on subjective risk perception, this study includes the socio-cultural context, and aims to understand differentiated perspectives on extensive flood risk. Results show that extensive floods in Tambelan Sampit primarily lead to indirect losses. Furthermore, risk perception is strongly shaped by the extensive characteristics of floods and the socio-cultural context. While risk perception in the kampong is low, we propose that in this specific case the risk perception is desensitised rather than broken. Understanding risk perception as desensitised can add nuance to understandings of people’s experience of (extensive) disasters, explain their behaviour towards risk and potentially inform improved mitigation and adaptation policies. Highlights Risk perception is a context specific phenomenon informed by a blend of individual understandings and socio-cultural factors. Rather than considering risk perception as generally broken or biased, in the context of extensive disasters it is more accurate to characterise perception as ‘desensitized’. Awareness, worry and preparedness, as three interconnected aspects of risk perception, can all become desensitised in ways that together contribute to marginalised people being more vulnerable to negative impacts of flooding. Flood management requires appropriate attention to desensitised risk perceptions to effectively prioritise prevention and mitigation in extensive flood contexts.

Awareness and Risk Assessment of Breast Cancer Among Women in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background Breast cancer is the most common female cancer worldwide including in Saudi Arabia. As a result, many cases are diagnosed at an advanced stage, leading to a poor outcome. Understanding risk perception is a significant component of awareness of breast cancer risks. It can be helpful to reduce the mortality of breast cancer via increasing awareness of the risk factors. Objective Our study was designed to assess the level of awareness among women in Saudi Arabia regarding breast cancer, including knowledge about risk factors, symptoms, and the importance of early detection. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted, and participants were randomly selected. The target population in this study is all women in Saudi Arabia. Data was collected via an online questionnaire. The collected data was analyzed using the StatisticalPackage for the Social Sciences (IBMSPSSStatisticsforWindows,IBMCorp., Version 21.0, Armonk,NY). Results About 713 women were enrolled in this study. Most of them (69%) were within the age group of 35-45 years old. Age at menarche was found to be 12-13 years old in 313 (43.9%) of the participants and age at first live birth was found to be 20-24 in about 360 (50.5%). The number of population with first-degree relatives that have a history of breast cancer is one relative in 126 (17.7%) of the participants and about 36 (5%) had breast biopsy. About 76 (10.7%) of the participants were considered as having a high risk of breast cancer according to the estimated five-year breast cancer-risk assessment (had a five-year breast cancer risk >1.66%). The mean knowledge score of the participants about breast cancer was found to be 4.62 ± 1.86 out of 8. About 509 (71.4%) of the participants were considered to be having a good level of knowledge about breast cancer. Long-term hormone contraceptive use and older age can increase the chance of developing breast cancer as agreed on by 363 (50.9%) and 287 (40.3%) of the participants respectively. A total of 677 (95%) of the participants mentioned that early detection is important to survive breast cancer. And 639 (89.6%) of the participants think that breast cancer is treatable and about 288 (40.4%) think that the suitable age to start mammography is above 30 years old. Conclusion There is a good general knowledge and awareness about breast cancer among study participants. There were few knowledge gaps regarding the effect of obesity,hormonal contraceptives and older age on the association withbreast cancer. About 10%of theparticipants were found to be having high five-year breast cancer risk.

Risk exposure to SARS-CoV-2 and workers’ risk perception in non-healthcare setting in Hong Kong, Nanjing and Wuhan: A qualitative multi-site study

Introducción: Understanding risk perception that hinges on health-protective behaviors is central to strategies for prevention. Aim: To classify the pattern of potential risk of worker exposure to SARS-CoV-2, and to assess association with risk perception among non-healthcare workers Methods: In a multi-site, qualitative study, we conducted individual in-depth interviews and mini focus group discussions with employees, managerial staff and self-employees from Hong Kong (n=87), Nanjing (n=60), and Wuhan (n=60) between June 2020 and March 2021. Audios were transcribed and categorized by themes following Grounded Theory approach. Results: We identified seven major types of potential risk exposure pattern by category of parameters. The risk perceptions decreased among Type A workers, working at fixed location in office, and no/little contacts with clients/customers, and increased among workers having the concern of asymptomatic characteristics of SAR-CoV-2, daily contact with large size of the unfamiliar crowds, unhygienic behaviors of clients/customers, and use of public transportation to commute to work. The notion that the sense of safety deriving from the implementation and adherence with safety measures despite stringency, and trust with the government was most frequently reported in Nanjing and Wuhan. Conclusion: Study examines COVID-19 risks and risk perceptions among non-healthcare workers in three cities. Variations in risk perceptions were found, influenced by factors such as work patterns and safety measures. Trust in government and concerns about international contacts were common themes. The findings emphasize the need for targeted interventions, mental health support, and inclusive policies to address occupational health disparities and promote workplace safety.

UNRAVELING RISK PERCEPTIONS: A GAME-BASED APPROACH TO STRATEGIC DECISION-MAKING

This study examines the critical domains of risk perception, risk assessment, and strategic decision-making, with insights integrated from seminal literature in these areas. The limitations of traditional risk measurement tools, such as surveys and questionnaires, in capturing the dynamic and contextually influenced nature of risk perception are underscored. Consequently, an innovative approach combining serious gaming and machine learning for a nuanced and immersive risk assessment is proposed. This methodology utilizes game-based scenarios to simulate real-world decision-making and record participants' risk-taking behaviors. Subsequently, machine learning algorithms are employed to analyze the collected data, identifying patterns and factors affecting risk propensity. The research potentially improves strategic decision-making outcomes by offering a more precise understanding of risk behavior, hence enhancing risk management practices. By merging serious gaming and machine learning in the domain of risk assessment, a valuable contribution to academic discourse is provided, and new avenues for understanding risk perception in strategic decision-making are introduced.

Behavioral Finance Provides Insights into Risk Perception and Risk Management

This article aims to explore the significant implications of behavioral finance in the realms of risk perception and risk management. Behavioral finance reveals behavioral biases exhibited by individuals in the investment and decision-making processes, uncovering phenomena that traditional financial theories have not fully explained. From overconfidence to loss aversion, and from herd behavior to delayed gratification, these behavioral biases influence investors' risk perception, risk aversion, and risk management strategies, thus triggering significant volatility and opportunities in the market. This article will first review the fundamental concepts and theoretical framework of behavioral finance, explaining why it holds particular significance in understanding risk perception and risk management. Subsequently, it will delve into how risk perception plays a pivotal role in investment decisions and analyze the impact of information processing on risk assessment. Building upon this foundation, it will delve into the specific applications of behavioral finance in risk perception and risk management, including loss aversion and loss-avoidance strategies, as well as the influence of crowd behavior on market risk.

Understanding Risk Perception and Xenophobic Attitudes during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic in the United States

Introduction: There have been over 87 million cases of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the United States (US). Objective: The objective of this study was to develop a novel questionnaire to assess risk perception of COVID-19 and xenophobic attitudes among adults in the US at the beginning of the pandemic. Methods: An anonymous self-report questionnaire was developed for this study in February 2020, and was distributed using convenience sampling from March 10 to March 25, 2020. The questionnaire assessed knowledge and risk perceptions of COVID-19, as well as attitudes toward individuals of various races and ethnicities. Results: 662 US adults completed the questionnaire. On a scale from 1 (low) to 5 (high), the mean risk perception was 3.44. Those with knowledge of COVID-19 and higher education levels reported higher risk perception and higher feelings of warmth towards Asian people. Forty percent of the sample had recently witnessed or experienced anti-Asian attitudes at the time of the survey. The majority of participants reported having heard about COVID-19 from news media, social media, and family or friends. Conclusions: Our sample had a moderate level of risk perception, potentially due to the time period of data collection (i.e., early in the pandemic course). The results suggest that knowledge about COVID-19 informed perceived risk and affected willingness to engage in healthy protective behaviors. Our study provides historic context of how people perceived the virus at the beginning of the pandemic, and gives insight into the aftermaths regarding quarantine and attitudes towards Asian Americans.

Predicting COVID-19 exposure risk perception using machine learning

BackgroundSelf-perceived exposure risk determines the likelihood of COVID-19 preventive measure compliance to a large extent and is among the most important predictors of mental health problems. Therefore, there is a need to systematically identify important predictors of such risks. This study aims to provide insight into forecasting and understanding risk perceptions and help to adjust interventions that target various social groups in different pandemic phases.MethodsThis study was based on survey data collected from 5001 Norwegians in 2020 and 2021. Interpretable machine learning algorithms were used to predict perceived exposure risks. To detect the most important predictors, the models with best performance were chosen based on predictive errors and explained variances. Shapley additive values were used to examine individual heterogeneities, interpret feature impact and check interactions between the key predictors.ResultsGradient boosting machine exhibited the best model performance in this study (2020: RMSE=.93, MAE=.74, RSQ=.22; 2021: RMSE=.99, MAE=.77, RSQ=.12). The most influential predictors of perceived exposure risk were compliance with interventions, work-life conflict, age and gender. In 2020, work and occupation played a dominant role in predicting perceived risks whereas, in 2021, living and behavioural factors were among the most important predictors. Findings show large individual heterogeneities in feature importance based on people’s sociodemographic backgrounds, work and living situations.ConclusionThe findings provide insight into forecasting risk groups and contribute to the early detection of vulnerable people during the pandemic. This is useful for policymakers and stakeholders in developing timely interventions targeting different social groups. Future policies and interventions should be adapted to the needs of people with various life situations.

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.

COVID-19 Testing Practices, Preventive Behaviors, and Factors Associated With Test Positivity: Population-Based Statewide Survey Study.

The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged public health efforts globally. Timely population-based surveillance is crucial to support public health programs and policies to limit the spread of COVID-19. The South Carolina (SC) Sampling and Testing Representative Outreach for Novel Coronavirus Guidance (SC STRONG) statewide initiative was established to estimate population-level prevalence and immunity and characterize the transmission dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 using community testing and online surveys. This paper aimed to leverage the survey data collected as part of the initiative to understand risk perceptions, testing practices, and preventive behaviors and identify risk factors for COVID-19 test positivity in SC over time. Probability proportionate to size cluster random sampling was used to select SC residents to participate in testing for COVID-19 infection and antibodies and to complete an online survey. This paper focuses on data from the online surveys completed between November 2020 and June 2021. Descriptive statistics were used to describe risk perceptions, attitudes and behaviors, and associated changes over time. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated with self-reported COVID-19 test positivity. Among the 7170 online survey respondents, 58.7% (4213/7170) self-reported ever testing for COVID-19. The most commonly cited barriers to testing were inconvenient dates, time, and location, as well as discomfort. Overall, 18.7% (790/7170) of respondents reported a history of COVID-19 test positivity. Multivariate logistic regression results indicated that individuals who were aged 50 years or older, self-identified as Black/African American, were obese, and were employed as frontline health care workers or nursing home staff were more likely to self-report COVID-19 test positivity. By contrast, there was a decreased likelihood of test positivity among respondents who were concerned about the burden of COVID-19 in their community and about being infected. Strategies to remove testing barriers should be implemented to improve access. Our findings provide insights on statewide testing patterns, adoption of prevention behaviors, and risk factors for infection and may inform public health strategies to curb transmission.

Risk perceptions of driving under the influence of cannabis: Comparing medical and non-medical cannabis users

BackgroundReduced perception of potential harm resulting from cannabis use is associated with greater risk of driving under the influence of cannabis (DUIC). Understanding risk perceptions of DUIC among subgroups of users will positively inform targeting and content of anti-DUIC driver education and public awareness campaigns. The current study compared DUIC-related risk perceptions among individuals who use cannabis exclusively for non-medical purposes versus those who use cannabis for exclusively medical or for both medical and non-medical purposes (i.e., dual-purpose users). MethodData were drawn from a regionally stratified cross-sectional general population telephone survey of adults (18 + years) in Ontario, Canada conducted in 2017. Respondents who reported past-year use of cannabis and answered questions regarding DUIC risk perceptions were selected (weighted N = 343). Modified Poisson regression models with robust standard error estimation were conducted for three attitudes: disagree that DUIC increases motor vehicle collision risk, agree that DUIC is safer than driving under the influence of alcohol (DUIA), agree that chances of being caught by police for DUIA higher than DUIC. In addition to type of cannabis user (non-medical only versus medical or dual-purpose), covariates included demographic characteristics and past-year alcohol and cannabis use frequency. ResultsAdjusting for other covariates, regression analyses indicated that medical or dual-purpose cannabis users were 45 % more likely than non-medical users to agree that DUIC is safer than DUIA (Adjusted Prevalence Ratio = 1.45, 95 %CI = 1.10, 1.91, p = 0.007). No other differences in risk perception between medical or dual-purpose and non-medical cannabis users were found. DiscussionAlthough no difference between medical or dual-purpose and non-medical cannabis users was found in perceptions of collision risk associated with DUIC or risk of police enforcement, the perception that DUIC is safer than DUIA was stronger among medical or dual-purpose than non-medical users. Recognizing that the shift in public perception of DUIA as a high-risk behaviour contributed to reductions in incidence of DUIA, results of the current study support education and awareness campaigns that target medical or dual-purpose users and emphasize that, like DUIA, DUIC is also a high-risk behaviour.

Participatory versus analytic approaches for understanding risk perceptions: a comparison of three case studies from the field of biotechnology

Considering growing participatory turns in regulatory scientific risk analysis, this paper compares how social scientists use participatory and analytical methods to understand risk perceptions and meet competing demands for representativeness and inclusiveness. Drawing on case studies of how three European risk agencies use participatory and analytic methods in the context of biotechnology, it confirms difficulties of analytic methods to shed light on perceptions when applied to unfamiliar topics. It also shows the potential of participatory in particular deliberative formats to engage affected populations in the risk analysis process, despite challenges in promoting inclusiveness. The cases call for the integration of methods, while remaining aware of the need to understand the mutual interplay in the constructions of risks and structural inequalities.

Revisiting Risk Perception Measurement in Aviators: Scale Development and Validation

Approximately 85% of aviation accidents are attributed to pilot error (FAA, 2009). Given this knowledge, studying the thought processes of pilots, particularly how they perceive risk, is of considerable interest among aviation research. This static trend continues to emphasize the importance of seeking to understand the way in which pilots think, operate, and make decisions. Previous risk perception measures in the aviation domain have exhibited issues pertaining to construct validity, warranting the development of a new instrument. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the criticality of understanding risk perception and its implications, as well as the current scale development and validation process. Successful validation may result in a new standard measure of risk perception in aviators. In addition, this tool may facilitate further insight into pilot’s perceptions of risk, leading to a more robust understanding of decision-making in the cockpit.

Three dimensions of COVID-19 risk perceptions and their socioeconomic correlates in the United States: A social media analysis.

Social media analysis provides an alternate approach to monitoring and understanding risk perceptions regarding COVID‐19 over time. Our current understandings of risk perceptions regarding COVID‐19 do not disentangle the three dimensions of risk perceptions (perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, and negative emotion) as the pandemic has evolved. Data are also limited regarding the impact of social determinants of health (SDOH) on COVID‐19‐related risk perceptions over time. To address these knowledge gaps, we extracted tweets regarding COVID‐19‐related risk perceptions and developed indicators for the three dimensions of risk perceptions based on over 502 million geotagged tweets posted by over 4.9 million Twitter users from January 2020 to December 2021 in the United States. We examined correlations between risk perception indicator scores and county‐level SDOH. The three dimensions of risk perceptions demonstrate different trajectories. Perceived severity maintained a high level throughout the study period. Perceived susceptibility and negative emotion peaked on March 11, 2020 (COVID‐19 declared global pandemic by WHO) and then declined and remained stable at lower levels until increasing once again with the Omicron period. Relative frequency of tweet posts on risk perceptions did not closely follow epidemic trends of COVID‐19 (cases, deaths). Users from socioeconomically vulnerable counties showed lower attention to perceived severity and susceptibility of COVID‐19 than those from wealthier counties. Examining trends in tweets regarding the multiple dimensions of risk perceptions throughout the COVID‐19 pandemic can help policymakers frame in‐time, tailored, and appropriate responses to prevent viral spread and encourage preventive behavior uptake in the United States.

COVID-19 risk perceptions, self-efficacy, and prevention behaviors among California undergraduate students

Objective College students play a major role in the transmission of SARS-CoV-2, the viral agent responsible for COVID-19. We aim to understand risk perceptions, self-efficacy, and adoption of prevention behaviors in this population to inform prevention strategies. Participants Undergraduate students attending a large public university Methods A convenience sample of students were surveyed (April–June 2020). Participants self-reported risk perceptions, perceived risk of contracting COVID-19, self-efficacy, and prevention behavior engagement. Results A total of 1,449 students were included in the analysis. The majority were women (71.2%) and aged 18–24 (86.6%). Freshmen had the lowest risk and threat perceptions, as did men; men also had lower self-efficacy. Women engaged significantly more in prevention behaviors compared to men. Conclusions Perceived risk of contracting COVID-19 was low, but overall adoption of prevention behaviors was high due to local mandates. Freshmen men were identified as having the greatest need for changing perceptions and behaviors.

Should I Stay or Should I Go? Risk Perception and Use of Local Public Transport During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

In light of the climate crisis, the transport sector needs to be urgently transformed and the number of users of local public transport needs to be increased. However, the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic severely affected public transport with passenger numbers declining up to 80% in Germany. In addition to a general decrease in mobility during lockdowns, we can observe a shift in decision-making in regards to modes of transportation, with public transport losing out. We argue that this change in behavior can be explained by the fact that people tend to overestimate the risk of COVID-19 transmission in public transport. In order to understand risk perception in users and non-users of public transport during the pandemic, a representative survey (N = 918) in a German major city was conducted at the peak of the third wave of the pandemic in April 2021. We identified four main target groups of public transport use during the pandemic: Loyal users (n = 193), reducers (n = 175), pandemic-dropouts (n = 331) and non-users (n = 219). We found reducers (r = 0.12), pandemic-dropouts (r = 0.32) and non-users (r = 0.22) to perceive an increased perception of infection risk for public transport as compared loyal users. This increased risk perception was specific to public transport – it did not generalize to other day-to-day situations, such as going to the grocery store or visiting a hairdresser. This finding can be taken as an indication that risk perception for an infection plays a crucial role in stepping back from public transport use during the pandemic. In addition, however, there were other differences in terms of needs and concerns between the different target groups during the pandemic. Based on our findings, we discuss which tools and interventions might convince these different groups to hop-(back)-on public transport. Our study highlights how risk perception will play an important role in attracting new and former passengers and is the basis for the interventions and developments that will build a pandemic-resistant public transport in the future.

FAKTOR YANG MEMPENGARUHI MINAT INVESTASI SELAMA PANDEMI COVID 19 DI AKADEMI TEKNIK MESIN INDUSTRI SURAKARTA

This study aims to determine the factors that influence investment interest during the covid 19 pandemic at Industrial Mechanical Engineering Academy (ATMI). This research is survey research. The data used is primary data by taking samples of 84 respondents from ATMI’s students. This research is descriptive research with a quantitative approach.The results showed that investment understanding had a significant effect on investment interests of ATMI Surakarta students, minimal capital had no significant effect on investment interests of ATMI Surakarta students, motivation had no significant effect on investment interests of ATMI Surakarta students, risk perception had a significant effect on investment interests of ATMI Surakarta students, literacy The capital market has a significant effect on the investment interest of ATMI Surakarta students. This shows that simultaneously the variables of understanding investment, minimum capital, motivation, risk perception and capital market literacy have a significant effect on investment interest.