@Article{info:doi/10.2196/24804,
author="Ostermann, Thomas
and Gampe, Julia
and R{\"o}er, Jan Philipp
and Radtke, Theda",
title="Antecedents of Individuals' Concerns Regarding Hospital Hygiene and Surgery Postponement During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Cross-sectional, Web-Based Survey Study",
journal="J Med Internet Res",
year="2021",
month="Mar",
day="11",
volume="23",
number="3",
pages="e24804",
keywords="COVID-19; public health; medical investigations; surgery; hospitalization, medical practices",
abstract="Background: The COVID-19 pandemic poses a major challenge to people's everyday lives. In the context of hospitalization, the pandemic is expected to have a strong influence on affective reactions and preventive behaviors. Research is needed to develop evidence-driven strategies for coping with the challenges of the pandemic. Therefore, this survey study investigates the effects that personality traits, risk-taking behaviors, and anxiety have on medical service--related affective reactions and anticipated behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic. Objective: The aim of this study was to identify key factors that are associated with individuals' concerns about hygiene in hospitals and the postponement of surgeries. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional, web-based survey of 929 residents in Germany (women: 792/929, 85.3{\%}; age: mean 35.2 years, SD 12.9 years). Hypotheses were tested by conducting a saturated path analysis. Results: We found that anxiety had a direct effect on people's concerns about safety ($\beta$=−.12, 95{\%} CI −.20 to −.05) and hygiene in hospitals ($\beta$=.16, 95{\%} CI .08 to .23). Risk-taking behaviors and personality traits were not associated with concerns about safety and hygiene in hospitals or anticipated behaviors. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that distinct interventions and information campaigns are not necessary for individuals with different personality traits or different levels of risk-taking behavior. However, we recommend that health care workers should carefully address anxiety when interacting with patients. ",
issn="1438-8871",
doi="10.2196/24804",
url="https://www.jmir.org/2021/3/e24804",
url="https://doi.org/10.2196/24804",
url="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33617458"
}