Behaviours and attitudes in response to the COVID-19 pandemic: insights from a cross-national Facebook survey

EPJ Data Science, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 10(1)

Published: April 13, 2021

Abstract Background In the absence of medical treatment and vaccination, individual behaviours are key to curbing spread COVID-19. Here we describe efforts collect attitudinal behavioural data disseminate insights increase situational awareness inform interventions. Methods We developed a rapid collection monitoring system based on cross-national online survey, “COVID-19 Health Behavior Survey”. Respondent recruitment occurred via targeted Facebook advertisements in Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, United Kingdom, States. investigated how threat perceptions COVID-19, confidence preparedness organisations deal with pandemic, adoption preventive social distancing associated respondents’ demographic characteristics. Results analysed 71,612 questionnaires collected between March 13-April 19, 2020. found substantial spatio-temporal heterogeneity across countries at different stages pandemic control strategies place. Respondents rapidly adopted use face masks when they were not yet mandatory. observed clear pattern perceptions, sharply increasing from personal level national global levels. Although comparatively low, all respondents significantly increased hand hygiene. gender-specific patterns: women showed higher lower healthcare system, more likely adopt behaviours. Finally, also that older people perceived themselves, while strongly concerned about their family. Conclusions Rapid population surveys conducted allow us monitor changes, protective measures, compliance recommended practices. As progresses new waves infections threatening reality, timely crucial guide decision-making process.

Language: Английский

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Reliance on scientists and experts during an epidemic: Evidence from the COVID-19 outbreak in Italy

SSM - Population Health, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 13, P. 100721 - 100721

Published: Dec. 24, 2020

Research suggests trust in experts and authorities are important correlates of compliance with public health measures during infectious disease outbreaks. Empirical evidence on the dynamics reliance scientists early phases an epidemic outbreak is limited. We examine these processes COVID-19 Italy by leveraging data from Twitter two online surveys, including a survey experiment. find that followed curvilinear path. Both showed initial increases information-seeking expert sources three weeks after detection first case. Consistent increases, knowledge about information linked to support for containment was widespread, better associated stronger policies. were positively science authorities. However, third week outbreak, we detected slowdown responsiveness experts. These corroborated experiment, which those holding incorrect beliefs gave no greater - or even lower importance when its source stated as coming than unstated. Our results suggest weakened prolonged exposure potential mechanism this effect. Weakened may increase susceptibility misinformation our call efforts sustain adapting response.

Language: Английский

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The differential impact of physical distancing strategies on social contacts relevant for the spread of COVID-19: Evidence from a multi-country survey

medRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: May 18, 2020

Abstract Physical distancing measures are intended to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, even though their impact on social contacts and disease transmission remains unclear. Obtaining timely data contact patterns can help assess such protective measures. We conducted an online opt-in survey based targeted Facebook advertising campaigns across seven European countries (Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, United Kingdom (UK)) States (US), achieving a sample 53,708 questionnaires in period March 13–April 13, 2020. Post-stratification weights were produced correct for biases. Data numbers, as well behaviour perceived level threat collected used expected net reproduction number by week, R t , with respect pre-pandemic data. Compared reported prior mid-April daily numbers had decreased between 49% Germany 83% ranging from below three per day UK up four Netherlands. Such reductions sufficient bring one or all countries, except Germany. Evidence US showed that mainly after governments issued first physical guidelines. Finally, although uniformly age groups, older adults lowest contacts, indicating higher levels protection. provided comparable set statistics during COVID-19 pandemic eight high-income disaggregated week. As these estimates offer more grounded alternative theoretical assumptions often epidemiological models, scientific community could draw this information developing realistic epidemic models COVID-19.

Language: Английский

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Differential impact of physical distancing strategies on social contacts relevant for the spread of SARS-CoV-2: evidence from a cross-national online survey, March–April 2020

BMJ Open, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 11(10), P. e050651 - e050651

Published: Oct. 1, 2021

Objectives We investigate changes in social contact patterns following the gradual introduction of non-pharmaceutical interventions and their implications for infection transmission early phase pandemic. Design, setting participants conducted an online survey based on targeted Facebook advertising campaigns across eight countries (Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, UK USA), achieving a sample 51 233 questionnaires period 13 March–12 April 2020. Poststratification weights census information were produced to correct selection bias. Outcome measures Participants provided data numbers, adoption protective behaviours perceived level threat. These combined derive weekly index transmission, net reproduction number Rt . Results Evidence from USA showed that daily contacts mainly decreased after governments issued first physical distancing guidelines. In mid-April, numbers had between 61% Germany 87% Italy with respect pre-COVID-19 levels, mostly due contraction outside home. Such reductions, which uniform age groups, compatible equal or smaller than one all countries, except Germany. This indicates lower levels especially increase rate face mask Conclusions comparable set statistics during COVID-19 pandemic high-income disaggregated by week other demographic factors, could be leveraged scientific community developing more realistic epidemic models COVID-19.

Language: Английский

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Has demography witnessed a data revolution? Promises and pitfalls of a changing data ecosystem

Population Studies, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 75(sup1), P. 47 - 75

Published: Dec. 13, 2021

Over the past 25 years, technological improvements that have made collection, transmission, storage, and analysis of data significantly easier more cost efficient ushered in what has been described as 'big data' era or 'data revolution'. In social sciences context, revolution often characterized terms increased volume variety data, much excitement focused on growing opportunity to repurpose are by-products digitalization life for research. However, many features not new demographers, who long used large-scale population accustomed repurposing imperfect originally collected Nevertheless, I argue demography, too, affected by revolution, ecosystem demographic research enriched. These developments occurred across two dimensions. The first involves augmented granularity, variety, opportunities linkage bolstered capabilities 'old' big sources, such censuses, administrative surveys. second interest use 'new' 'digital traces' generated through internet mobile phone use, related this, emergence demography'. enabled offer promise moving forward, but they also raise important ethical, technical, conceptual challenges field.

Language: Английский

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Behavioral Changes Associated With COVID-19 Vaccination: Cross-National Online Survey

Journal of Medical Internet Research, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 25, P. e47563 - e47563

Published: Sept. 29, 2023

During the initial phases of vaccination campaign worldwide, nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) remained pivotal in fight against COVID-19 pandemic. In this context, it is important to understand how arrival vaccines affected adoption NPIs. Indeed, some individuals might have seen start mass campaigns as end emergency and, a result, relaxed their COVID-safe behaviors, facilitating spread virus delicate epidemic phase such rollout.

Language: Английский

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A cross-sectional study exploring the perception of exercise oncology in the Italian population

Frontiers in Oncology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 14

Published: Jan. 13, 2025

Introduction We aim to examine the population’s perception of physical exercise in patients with cancer. Materials and methods An anonymous survey was conducted reach a sample Italian adults. The questionnaire investigated sociodemographic factors, levels, perceptions about importance, benefits, safety exercise, support from oncologists family/friends, as well capability ease exercise. Results Overall, 838 persons participated this survey. majority respondents agree that is important (60.5%) beneficial (61.5%) for cancer during anticancer treatments, whereas 40.2% believed its safety. Forty-two percent 51.9% participants expressed positive opinion regarding advice encouragement family/friends respectively. Only 27.2% feel are capable exercising, 9.0% it easy them. Conclusion Although population has favorable importance benefits they do not still believe performing it. Increasing awareness feasibility intervention context crucial supporting patients.

Language: Английский

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Survey sampling in the Global South using Facebook advertisements

Political Science Research and Methods, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 1 - 17

Published: April 2, 2025

Abstract Survey research in the Global South has traditionally required large budgets and lengthy fieldwork. The expansion of digital connectivity presents an opportunity for researchers to engage global subject pools study settings where in-person contact is challenging. This paper evaluates Facebook advertisements as a tool recruit diverse survey samples South. Using Facebook’s advertising platform, we quota-sample respondents Mexico, Kenya, Indonesia assess how well these perform on range indicators, identify sources bias, replicate canonical experiment, highlight trade-offs consider. method can quickly cheaply respondents, but tend be more educated than corresponding national populations. Weighting ameliorates sample imbalances. generates comparable data commercial online fraction cost. Our analysis demonstrates potential cost-effectively conduct settings.

Language: Английский

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Why does France not meet its pesticide reduction targets? Farmers' socio-economic trade-offs when adopting agro-ecological practices

Ecological Economics, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 198, P. 107440 - 107440

Published: May 7, 2022

Language: Английский

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Digital and Computational Demography

Published: April 21, 2022

Digital and computational demography explores in relation to the digital revolution – rapid technological improvements digitized information storage, power spread of internet mobile technologies since turn new millennium. We cover three ways which touches upon demography. First, we discuss how technologies, through their impacts on daily lives shifting individuals access information, communicate services, have implications for demographic outcomes linked health mortality, fertility family, migration. Second, has created a wide range data sources such as trace geospatial that can be repurposed research, enabled respondent recruitment across world via social media. Third, facilitated use methods microsimulation agent-based modelling well machine learning techniques applications. conclude by discussing future opportunities challenges

Language: Английский

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