TY  - JOUR
AU  - Ostermann, Thomas
AU  - Gampe, Julia
AU  - Röer, Jan Philipp
AU  - Radtke, Theda
PY  - 2021
DA  - 2021/3/11
TI  - Antecedents of Individuals’ Concerns Regarding Hospital Hygiene and Surgery Postponement During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Cross-sectional, Web-Based Survey Study
JO  - J Med Internet Res
SP  - e24804
VL  - 23
IS  - 3
KW  - COVID-19
KW  - public health
KW  - medical investigations
KW  - surgery
KW  - hospitalization, medical practices
AB  - 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 (β=−.12, 95% CI −.20 to −.05) and hygiene in hospitals (β=.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. 
SN  - 1438-8871
UR  - https://www.jmir.org/2021/3/e24804
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2196/24804
UR  - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33617458
DO  - 10.2196/24804
ID  - info:doi/10.2196/24804
ER  -