The role of institutional trust in preventive practices and treatment-seeking intention during the coronavirus disease 2019 outbreak among residents in Hubei, China
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
3-2-2022
Abstract
Background We aimed to investigate the association between institution trust and public responses to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak. Methods An Internet-based, cross-sectional survey was administered on 29 January 2020. A total of 4393 adults >= 18 y of age and residing or working in the province of Hubei, central China were included in the study. Results The majority of the participants expressed a great degree of trust in the information and preventive instructions provided by the central government compared with the local government. Being under quarantine (adjusted odds ratio OR] 2.35 95% confidence interval {CI} 1.80 to 3.08]) and having a high institutional trust score (OR 2.23 95% CI 1.96 to 2.53]) were both strong and significant determinants of higher preventive practices scores. The majority of study participants (n=3640 85.7%]) reported that they would seek hospital treatment if they suspected themselves to have been infected with COVID-19. Few of the participants from Wuhan (n=475 16.6%]) and those participants who were under quarantine (n=550 13.8%]) expressed an unwillingness to seek hospital treatment. Conclusions Institutional trust is an important factor influencing adequate preventive behaviour and seeking formal medical care during an outbreak.
Keywords
China, COVID-19, Hubei, Institutional trust, Preventive, treatment-seeking behaviour
Divisions
fac_med
Funders
National Key R&D Program of China [2017YFC1310902] [2018YFC1315305],Ningbo Health Branding Subject Fund [PPXK2018-02],Sanming Project of Medicine in Shenzhen [SZSM201803080],K.C. Wong Magna Fund in Ningbo University
Publication Title
International Health
Volume
14
Issue
2
Publisher
Oxford University Press
Publisher Location
GREAT CLARENDON ST, OXFORD OX2 6DP, ENGLAND