This study examined the public’s preventive behavioral responses during the 2015 Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) outbreak in Korea and the influencing factors. Two cross-sectional telephone surveys were conducted by Gallup Korea using random digit dialing in June 2015 ( n = 2004). The main outcome variables were nonpharmaceutical preventive measures (survey (1): Measures for reducing transmission (handwashing, face masks); and survey (2): Measures for avoiding contact with others). Multiple logistic regression was used to identify the factors influencing preventive behaviors. In survey (1), 60.3% of respondents reported more frequent handwashing and 15.5% reported wearing face masks at least once due to the MERS-CoV epidemic. In survey (2), 41–56% of respondents reported practicing avoidance measures. The concerned group was more likely to practice reducing transmission measures (odds ratio (OR) 4.5; 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.3–6.1) and avoidance measures (OR = 9.6; 95% CI, 6.4–14.4). The respondents who had low trust in president or ruling party had a higher practice rate of reducing transmission measures (OR = 1.7; 95% CI, 1.2–2.6) and avoidance measures (OR = 2.1; 95% CI, 1.2–3.5). Cooperative prevention measures need appropriated public concern based on effective risk communication.
【저자키워드】 disease outbreaks, Middle East respiratory syndrome Coronavirus, Disease prevention and control, health survey, 【초록키워드】 cross-sectional, risk, Transmission, outcome, MERS-CoV, Epidemic, Measures, outbreak, response, Factors, Odds ratio, Contact, Middle East, preventive measure, Factor, 95% CI, 95% confidence interval, avoidance, measure, respiratory syndrome coronavirus, random, multiple logistic regression, variable, effective, identify, was used, examined, reported, conducted, reducing, Cooperative, wearing face mask, 【제목키워드】 response, respiratory, Middle East,