Abstract Compliance with epidemic prevention norms has been found to be higher in developing regions than in developed regions; however, the nature and underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We propose that socioeconomic development of environments changes the adaptive benefits of fundamental social motives, especially disease avoidance and familial motives, which shape variations in compliance during pandemics. To examine the effects of these motives on the relationship between socioeconomic environments and compliance, we conducted three studies measuring environmental socioeconomic development with the Human Development Index (HDI). Study 1 (with two datasets: N = 43,244, 53 countries; N = 94,657, 71 countries) revealed a stable negative correlation between country-level HDI and compliance, even after controlling disease severity, government responses, and individualism. Studies 2 (an analysis of social media text data; N = 22,588, 31 provinces) and 3 (a large-sample survey; N = 6,122, 31 cities) replicated this correlation in China at the provincial and city levels, and identified disease avoidance and familial motives as mediators. These findings provide evidence for how socioeconomic environments shape compliance during pandemics, highlight the importance of familial motives alongside disease avoidance, and offer insights into tailoring public health strategies across diverse environments. Content of image described in text.
The analysis reveals the complex interplay of various factors influencing COVID-19 vaccination decisions, emphasizing the importance of residential areas and urbanization.
Neda Firouraghi, Ève Dubé, B. Thierry et al.· Journal of urban health· 0 citations
Various life-course events may affect public adherence to preventive measures to safeguard individuals from infection. This study examined variations in protective behaviours between two populations in the Middle East with comparable cultural backgrounds, but with one experiencing the additional challenge of residing in a conflict zone. A cross-sectional comparative design was employed to enlist a convenience sample of 1787 participants from Jordan and Palestine. Palestinians exhibited a lower level of fear regarding COVID-19 infection and expressed less intent to get vaccinated. Jordanians scored significantly higher on the Self-care subscale (t(1503.2) = 2.97, p = 0.003), the Protective Behaviours subscale (t(1427.6) = 10.6, p < .001), and the Infection Avoidance Scale (t(1422.15) = 11.11, p < .001) than the Palestinians. Despite the cultural similarities shared by the two nations, our study revealed significant differences in the compliance with protective behaviours against COVID-19 between Jordanian and Palestinian participants. This suggests that socio-economic and political factors play crucial roles in influencing people's behaviours during pandemics. These concerns extend to other vulnerable nations grappling with poverty and conflict, underscoring the need for collaborative efforts among organizations to ensure a coordinated, stable response and support these countries in their battle against pandemics.
Elham H. Othman, Basema Nofal, A. J. Abuejheisheh et al.· Medicine, Conflict and Survi...· 0 citations
Climate risks (CR), particularly extreme climatic events, are systematically threatening global public health (PH). However, most of the existing studies focus on the linear relationship between a single climate factor and health outcomes, lack in-depth investigation of the nonlinear relationship between the two, and pay little attention to the multi-dimensional adjustment of socio-economic factors. This paper collects panel data of 30 provinces in China from 2011 to 2023, uses ArcGIS and the quantile method to visualize the spatial and temporal evolution pattern of provincial CR and PH. By constructing a province-year fixed effect model with a square term and a moderating effect model, the nonlinear relationship between the two is systematically explored, and the moderating mechanism and heterogeneity of different social factors are identified. The results show that the response of PH to CR is first actively adapted and then significantly inhibited, showing a significant inverted U-shaped relationship. Digital inclusive finance (DIF) and residents’ income level (RI) make the inverted U-shaped curve steeper and push the inflection point to the right, showing the characteristics of efficiency-enhanced adjustment; the energy structure optimization (ESO) makes the curve more gentle and the inflection point move to the left, which is manifested as risk-releasing regulation. According to heterogeneity analysis, environmental regulations intensity and green spaces construction have mitigated the health impacts of CR through buffering effects, while green technological innovation has contributed to the manifestation of the inverted U-shaped relationship. This study confirms the existence of an adaptive threshold in the climate-health system resilience, and elucidates three distinct moderating pathways—financial resilience, economic resources, and energy infrastructure—each operating through different mechanisms.
Shuai Liang, Huanhuan Jiang, Peng Wang et al.· Frontiers in Public Health· 0 citations
BACKGROUND
Trust in vaccines and those who deliver them is often shaped by personal social networks, yet empirical data on these dynamics remain limited in low-and middle-income settings. Social networks shape exposure to information, norms, and reinforcement processes that influence vaccine decision-making. We examined how rural South Africans' social network composition and content influence their willingness to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.
METHODS
We analysed 2022-23 data from the Sixhumene social network study conducted primarily among young adults in three rural KwaZulu-Natal communities. Our primary outcome was a six-level ordinal measure combining past vaccination and hypothetical willingness. Using multivariable ordinal logistic regression, we evaluated associations between vaccine willingness and social network size, kinship composition, geographic proximity, gender homophily, support received, and respondent characteristics.
RESULTS
Respondents were predominantly female with median age 21 years (IQR 18-28) and identified a median of three key social contacts, with networks characterised by strong kinship and local ties. Vaccine willingness varied by the geographic composition of networks. Compared with urban respondents whose networks were concentrated within the household, willingness was higher among those with more geographically dispersed networks, including urban respondents with alters in the same village (aOR 2.54, 95% CI 2.40-2.70) or outside the village (aOR 3.26, 95% CI 2.04-5.20). Similarly, among rural respondents, willingness was higher among those with household-based networks (aOR 1.95, 95% CI 1.57-2.41), village-based networks (aOR 1.63, 95% CI 1.40-1.90), and networks extending beyond the village (aOR 1.64, 95% CI 1.50-1.79). Emotional support was positively associated with willingness (per 30 contact-days: aOR 1.15, 95% CI 1.01-1.32), while physical support was inversely associated (aOR 0.84, 95% CI 0.72-0.98).
DISCUSSION
Vaccine willingness in this rural setting was shaped by both individual factors and network dynamics. Emotional support showed a modest positive association with willingness, suggesting supportive social ties may help promote vaccination willingness.