The role of institutional trust in preventive practices and treatment-seeking intention during the coronavirus disease 2019 outbreak among residents in Hubei, China

Li Ping Wong, Qunhong Wu, Yanhua Hao, Xi Chen, Zhuo Chen, Haridah Alias, Mingwang Shen, Jingcen Hu, Shiwei Duan, Jinjie Zhang, Liyuan Han

Research output: Journal PublicationArticlepeer-review

7 Citations (Scopus)

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.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)161-169
Number of pages9
JournalInternational Health
Volume14
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Mar 2022

Keywords

  • COVID-19
  • China
  • Hubei
  • institutional trust
  • preventive
  • treatment-seeking behaviour

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Health(social science)
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

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