Epidemic risk perceptions in Italy and Sweden driven by authority responses to COVID-19.

ABSTRACT: Understanding public risk perception is an essential step to develop effective measures reducing the spread of disease outbreaks. Here we compare epidemic risk perceptions during two different periods of the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy and Sweden. To this end, we analyzed the results of two nationwide surveys carried out in both countries in two periods characterized by different infection rates: August (N = 4154) and November 2020 (N = 4168). Seven domains of epidemic risk perception were considered: likelihood along with (individual and population) impact, preparedness, and knowledge. The role of the context and period was explored in stratified and formal interaction analyses. In both countries, we found an intensification in epidemic risk perception from August to November 2020. Being m

SUBMITTER: Raffetti E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9164564 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature