Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14279/23986
Title: What influences people's responses to public health messages for managing risks and preventing infectious diseases? A rapid systematic review of the evidence and recommendations
Authors: Ghio, Daniela 
Lawes-Wickwar, Sadie 
Tang, Mei Yee 
Epton, Tracy 
Howlett, Neil 
Jenkinson, Elizabeth 
Stanescu, Sabina 
Westbrook, Juliette 
Kassianos, Angelos P. 
Watson, Daniella 
Sutherland, Lisa 
Stanulewicz, Natalia 
Guest, Ella 
Scanlan, Daniel 
Carr, Natalie 
Chater, Angel 
Hotham, Sarah 
Thorneloe, Rachael 
Armitage, Christopher J. 
Arden, Madelynne 
Hart, Jo 
Byrne-Davis, Lucie 
Keyworth, Christopher 
Major Field of Science: Medical and Health Sciences
Field Category: Health Sciences
Keywords: COVID-19;Infection control;Public health
Issue Date: 11-Nov-2021
Source: BMJ Open, 2021, vol. 11, articl. no. e048750
Volume: 11
Journal: BMJ open 
Abstract: Background Individual behaviour changes, such as hand hygiene and physical distancing, are required on a population scale to reduce transmission of infectious diseases such as COVID-19. However, little is known about effective methods of communicating risk reducing information, and how populations might respond. Objective To synthesise evidence relating to what (1) characterises effective public health messages for managing risk and preventing infectious disease and (2) influences people's responses to messages. Design A rapid systematic review was conducted. Protocol is published on Prospero CRD42020188704. Data sources Electronic databases were searched: Ovid Medline, Ovid PsycINFO and Healthevidence.org, and grey literature (PsyarXiv, OSF Preprints) up to May 2020. Study selection All study designs that (1) evaluated public health messaging interventions targeted at adults and (2) concerned a communicable disease spread via primary route of transmission of respiratory and/or touch were included. Outcomes included preventative behaviours, perceptions/awareness and intentions. Non-English language papers were excluded. Synthesis Due to high heterogeneity studies were synthesised narratively focusing on determinants of intentions in the absence of measured adherence/preventative behaviours. Themes were developed independently by two researchers and discussed within team to reach consensus. Recommendations were translated from narrative synthesis to provide evidence-based methods in providing effective messaging. Results Sixty-eight eligible papers were identified. Characteristics of effective messaging include delivery by credible sources, community engagement, increasing awareness/knowledge, mapping to stage of epidemic/pandemic. To influence intent effectively, public health messages need to be acceptable, increase understanding/perceptions of health threat and perceived susceptibility. Discussion There are four key recommendations: (1) engage communities in development of messaging, (2) address uncertainty immediately and with transparency, (3) focus on unifying messages from sources and (4) frame messages aimed at increasing understanding, social responsibility and personal control. Embedding principles of behavioural science into public health messaging is an important step towards more effective health-risk communication during epidemics/pandemics.
URI: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14279/23986
ISSN: 20446055
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-048750
Rights: © The Author(s).
Type: Article
Affiliation : University of Salford 
The University of Manchester 
University College London 
Newcastle University 
University of Hertfordshire 
University of the West of England 
University of Southampton 
University of Bath 
Behavioural Insight for Public Affairs 
De Montfort University 
Manchester Metropolitan University 
University of Bedfordshire 
University of Kent at Canterbury 
Sheffield Hallam University 
Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 
University of Leeds 
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed
Appears in Collections:Άρθρα/Articles

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