Changes in virus-transmission habits during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-national, repeated measures study.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

The COVID-19 pandemic saw promotion of novel virus transmission-reduction behaviours, and discouragement of familiar transmission-conducive behaviours. Understanding changes in the automatic nature of such behaviours is important, because habitual behaviours may be more easily reactivated in future outbreaks and disrupting old habits may discontinue unwanted behaviours.

Design

A repeated-measures, multi-national design tracked virus-transmission habits and behaviour fortnightly over six months (Apr-Sept 2020) among 517 participants (age M = 42 ± 16y, 79% female).

Main outcome measures

Within-participant habit trajectories across all timepoints, and engagement in transmission-reduction behaviours (handwashing when entering home; handwashing with soap f

SUBMITTER: Rebar AL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9615635 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature