Introduction
The message of disease prevention campaign
Method
Q sample
P sample
Ethical considerations
Q sorting and data processing
Results
Type 1: Social threats caused by symptomatic persons
“You should stay at home if you have COVID-19 symptoms because it is contagious and may spread to everyone in the society. The only way to prevent the spread of infection from a symptomatic person is to avoid contact with him/her as much as possible. Because it is entirely based on individual autonomy, you must avoid contact with others if you have symptoms to prevent social spread (P1; P17; P22; P25).”
“Even if we practice social distancing, isn’t it useless if an infected person is in a large crowd like public transportation or the office (classroom)? Since we are not sure whether we are infected with COVID-19, it is most important to block the infection from symptomatic persons (P15; P23).”
Type 2: Relational response through personal hygiene
“Hands are the dirtiest part of our body, so I think that frequent hand washing or disinfection can sufficiently prevent me from contracting the disease. In order to avoid suffering from physical pain caused by an infection, it is necessary to thoroughly manage personal hygiene. In order to maintain my health, I need to pay more attention to my hygiene first (P2; P4; P18; P27; P31).”
“I think it is okay to meet people as long as you follow the quarantine rules. Social distancing for more than two meters and wearing a mask will prevent the spread of infection. You can’t stop interacting with people and socializing because of the fear of infection (P3; P8; P32).”
Type 3: Dependence on social systems due to the disease
“I think vaccination is the best way to prevent coronavirus infection. Many healthcare professionals say that vaccination can not only stop the spread of infection to society, but also lower the risk of having a serious condition after contracting the disease. In particular, those with high-risk conditions should be controlled and managed by following the instructions of the quarantine authorities or medical institutions rather than following their own judgment. An effective social management system is needed to cope with the coronavirus (P12; P13; P14; P16; P19; P20).”
“I am not interested in any contents that are not related to the guidelines of medical institutions or government authorities to respond to the coronavirus. I think the only way to quickly overcome this situation is following the preventive rules against the virus infection guided by the government or medical institutions (P13).”
Type 4: Avoidance of the symptoms caused by personal contact
“I am very careful when coughing or sneezing or when I am in a crowded place, as you can easily get infected with coronavirus. I heard that the coronavirus may be spread through airborne transmission, so I am always careful where there are other people around (P6; P10; P26).”
“After the outbreak of COVID-19, many guidelines related to its prevention have been introduced. I think it is important to follow all the guidelines to avoid getting infected with the virus, but sometimes it's difficult to follow them all. Wouldn’t it be better if I take care of myself according to my lifestyle and situation? (P10; P24)”
Discussion and implications
most unimportant | most important | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
-4 | -3 | -2 | -1 | 0 | +1 | +2 | +3 | +4 |
Type1 (N = 6) | Type2 (N = 13) | Type3 (N = 8) | Type4 (N = 5) | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Eigenvalue | 11.6193 | 3.1078 | 2.5339 | 1.7460 |
Variance (%) | 0.3631 | 0.0971 | 0.0792 | 0.0546 |
Cumulative percentage (%) | 0.3631 | 0.4602 | 0.5394 | 0.5940 |
Type1 | 1.0000 | 0.612 | 0.503 | 0.487 |
Type2 | 0.612 | 1.0000 | 0.443 | 0.544 |
Type3 | 0.503 | 0.443 | 1.0000 | 0.422 |
Type4 | 0.487 | 0.544 | 0.422 | 1.0000 |
Q statement | Z-score |
---|---|
25. Those with COVID-19 symptoms should refrain from going out and avoid going to school or reporting for work | 1.88 |
28. If symptomatic, inform medical staff of all travel history overseas (if any) and any contact with persons who have had respiratory symptoms | 1.83 |
26. Those with COVID-19 symptoms should be under observation for 3–4 days and get plenty rest at home | 1.79 |
31. Those undergoing self-quarantine should live in an isolated place | 1.35 |
29. Those with COVID-19 symptoms should refrain from going out and visiting other areas in the country where COVID-19 is endemic | 1.31 |
20. Wear a mask when visiting medical institutions | 1.06 |
6. Check body temperature with a thermometer | -1.01 |
10. Restrict entry of outsiders as much as possible | -1.02 |
18. Focus on individual play rather than group play | -1.04 |
13. When visiting a place is inevitable, refrain from eating and stay for only a short period | -1.07 |
33. Get vaccinated against COVID-19 | -1.08 |
12. Avoid visiting crowded places | -1.15 |
7. Disinfect frequently touched items every day | -1.33 |
15. Keep a distance more than 2 m (at least 1 m) from others | -1.46 |
9. Communicate with friends by phone or SNS | -1.82 |
Q statement | Z-score |
---|---|
1. Wash hands with soap under running water for over 30 s or disinfect hands with sanitizer | 2.45 |
2. Cover your mouth and nose with your sleeve when coughing or sneezing | 1.51 |
20. Wear a mask when visiting medical institutions | 1.44 |
32. Those undergoing self-quarantine must strictly follow the instructions of medical personnel and quarantine authorities | 1.33 |
30. If you develop fever and respiratory symptoms, contact a call center or public health center and visit a screening clinic | 1.09 |
3. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands | 1.09 |
10. Restrict entry of outsiders as much as possible | -1.01 |
7. Disinfect frequently touched items every day | -1.22 |
8. Do not share personal items (towels, tableware, mobile phones, etc.) | -1.31 |
14. Don't share food | -1.37 |
18. Focus on individual play rather than group play | -1.68 |
9. Communicate with friends by phone or SNS | -2.00 |
Q statement | Z-score |
---|---|
33. Get vaccinated against COVID-19 | 1.92 |
32. Those undergoing self-quarantine must strictly follow the instructions of medical personnel and quarantine authorities | 1.77 |
31. Those undergoing self-quarantine should live in an isolated place | 1.74 |
30. If you develop fever and respiratory symptoms, contact a call center or public health center and visit a screening clinic | 1.52 |
29. Those with COVID-19 symptoms should refrain from going out and visiting other areas in the country where COVID-19 is endemic | 1.39 |
27. Those with COVID-19 symptoms should use their own car when visiting medical institutions | 1.27 |
28. If symptomatic, inform medical staff of all travel history overseas (if any) and any contact with persons who have had respiratory symptoms | 1.22 |
25. Those with COVID-19 symptoms should refrain from going out and avoid going to school or reporting for work | 1.00 |
18. Focus on individual play rather than group play | -1.03 |
9. Communicate with friends by phone or SNS | -1.19 |
21. Make sure you have necessary vaccinations such as pneumococcal and influenza vaccines | -1.51 |
4. Eat balanced meals, exercise regularly, and get enough sleep | -1.55 |
23. If you have a chronic disease, take your medicine at a set time and keep a medical schedule | -1.58 |
Q statement | Z-score |
---|---|
17. Avoid loud conversations, singing, and other activities which are prone to producing respiratory aerosols (droplets) that cause infection | 1.93 |
16. Avoid contact with people who have fever or respiratory symptoms | 1.89 |
2. Cover your mouth and nose with your sleeve when coughing or sneezing | 1.75 |
20. Wear a mask when visiting medical institutions | 1.37 |
32. Those undergoing self-quarantine must strictly follow the instructions of medical personnel and quarantine authorities | 1.30 |
6. Check body temperature with a thermometer | -1.20 |
19. Use QR codes and electronic access system when visiting public places | -1.32 |
10. Restrict entry of outsiders as much as possible | -1.39 |
14. Don’t share food | -1.44 |
7. Disinfect frequently touched items every day | -1.62 |
4. Eat balanced meals, exercise regularly, and get enough sleep | -1.71 |
Type | Keyword | Subject of ‘harm’a | Proactive prevention vs. Post-countermeasures | Stage of campaign | Message type |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Type 1 | Symptomatic individuals | Other-harm | Post-countermeasures | Stage 3 | Target-customized |
Type 2 | Personal hygiene | Self-harm | Proactive prevention | Stage 1 | Universal behaviour |
Type 3 | Social system | Other-harm | Post-countermeasures | Stage 3 | Target-customized |
Type 4 | Etiquette | Not related | Post-countermeasures | Stage 2 | Universal behaviour |