Investigating awareness, fear and control associated with norovirus and other pathogens and pollutants using best-worst scaling

Kata Farkas; Emma Green; Dan Rigby; Paul Cross; Sean Tyrrel; Shelagh K Malham; David L Jones

doi:10.1038/s41598-021-90704-7

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Investigating awareness, fear and control associated with norovirus and other pathogens and pollutants using best-worst scaling

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Investigating awareness, fear and control associated with norovirus and other pathogens and pollutants using best-worst scaling

Kata Farkas, Emma Green, Dan Rigby, Paul Cross, Sean Tyrrel, Shelagh K Malham and David L Jones

Scientific reports, Vol.11(1), 11194

2021

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-90704-7

PMID: 34045602

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Abstract

Adolescent

Adult

Aged

Caliciviridae Infections - psychology

Environmental Exposure

Fear

Female

Foodborne Diseases - microbiology

Foodborne Diseases - psychology

Gastroenteritis - microbiology

Gastroenteritis - psychology

Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice

Humans

Male

Middle Aged

Norovirus

Surveys and Questionnaires

Young Adult

Pollutants found in the water and air environment represent an ever-growing threat to human health. Contact with some air-, water- and foodborne pathogens (e.g. norovirus) results in gastrointestinal diseases and outbreaks. For future risk mitigation, we aimed to measure people's awareness of waterborne and foodborne norovirus relative to other environment-associated pollutants (e.g. pesticides, bioaerosols, antibiotic resistant bacteria) and well-known risks (e.g. diabetes, dementia, terrorist attack). We used an online survey, which included a best-worst scaling component to elicit personal levels of control and fear prompted by norovirus relative to 15 other risks. There was a negative correlation between levels of fear vs. control for all 16 measured risks. Perceived infection control levels were higher amongst women compared to men and correlated with age and the level of qualification in both groups. Participants who had sought advice regarding the symptoms caused by norovirus appeared to have more control over the risks. Norovirus is associated with high levels of fear, however, the levels of control over it is low compared to other foodborne illnesses, e.g. Salmonella. Addressing this deficit in the public's understanding of how to control exposure to the pathogen in an important health need.

Details

Title: Investigating awareness, fear and control associated with norovirus and other pathogens and pollutants using best-worst scaling
Authors/Creators: Kata Farkas - Bangor University
Emma Green - Bangor University
Dan Rigby - University of Manchester
Paul Cross - Bangor University
Sean Tyrrel - Cranfield University
Shelagh K Malham - Bangor University
David L Jones - UWA Oceans Institute, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
Publication Details: Scientific reports, Vol.11(1), 11194
Publisher: Springer Nature
Identifiers: 991005560424607891
Murdoch Affiliation: Centre for Sustainable Farming Systems
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Citation topics: 1 Clinical & Life Sciences; 1.246 Diarrheal Diseases; 1.246.710 Enteric Viruses
Web Of Science research areas: Environmental Sciences
ESI research areas: Environment/Ecology