Acceptance of public health measures during the COVID-19 pandemic
a cross-sectional study of the Swiss population’s beliefs, attitudes, trust, and information-seeking behavior
Informazioni aggiuntive
Autori
Fiordelli M.,
Rubinelli S.,
Diviani N.
Tipo
Articolo pubblicato in rivista scientifica
Anno
2023
Lingua
Inglese
Sommario
Objectives: This study aimed to advance the understanding of the factors associated with population acceptance of public health measures during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: In January 2022, we conducted a cross-sectional survey of the Swiss population (N = 2,587). Questionnaires were administered through computer-assisted web interviewing. Measures covered included information-seeking behavior, attitudes towards and beliefs about public health measures enacted, and trust in institutions. Results: Television and newspapers were the most used information sources. Those with higher education levels were more likely to use channels from public institutions, newspapers, and television. The most important criterion for reliable information was scientific evidence. Trust was highest for doctors, healthcare workers, universities, research institutes, and public health institutions. Acceptance of public health measures was high overall, and attitudes, beliefs, information-seeking behavior, and trust were positively related to acceptance. Trust in science remained stable, while trust in public health institutions decreased slightly. Conclusion: While nurturing a two-way dialogue with the population, institutions should target communication considering age and culture, improve risk communication, ground messages in scientific evidence, and ensure mass media presence.
Parole chiave
Trust, Infodemic, Institutional communication, Public health measures, Information-seeking behavior
Periodico
International Journal of Public Health
Volume
68
Pagine (o numero dell’articolo)
1605982
Diffusione
Licenza
CC BY
Visibilità
Pubblico
Status open access
Gold
