Department of Health Sciences, School of Sciences, European University Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus.
Cyprus International Institute for Environmental and Public Health, School of Health Sciences, Cyprus University of Technology, Limassol, Cyprus.
Sci Rep. 2023 Jul 27;13(1):12194. doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-39381-2.
This study aims to understand the levels of fear experienced by individuals regarding future pandemics and/or epidemics among the general population of Cyprus and comprehensively examine the diverse factors that influence this perceived fear. The cross-sectional study was conducted from October 1st, 2022, to February 19th, 2023. A proportionate quota sampling method was used for the recruitment, by recruiting a fixed number of participants from each age group, sex, and place of residence. The study collected information on sociodemographic and health-related characteristics, health literacy, trust, COVID-19 vaccination information, and perceived fear of future epidemics and/or pandemics using a self-administered questionnaire. The survey included 1075 participants, with 53.7% of them reporting fear of future pandemics. Logistic regression analysis revealed that women (OR = 2.37, 95% CI 1.78, 3.16) and individuals vaccinated against COVID-19 (OR = 1.57, 95% CI 1.02, 2.43) were significantly more likely to experience fear of future pandemics. Moreover, higher levels of trust (OR = 1.04, 95% CI 1.02, 1.06) and higher health literacy (OR = 1.05, 95% CI 1.03, 1.08) were associated with an increased likelihood of fearing future pandemics. Conversely, unemployment (OR = 0.30, 95% CI 0.13, 0.65) and having a postgraduate education decreased the likelihood of fearing future pandemics (OR = 0.56, 95% CI 0.34, 0.90). The linear regression model revealed that older age (β = - 0.10, 95% CI - 0.14, - 0.05) was negatively associated with a higher score of fear regarding future pandemics. Conversely, being in a vulnerable group (β = 2.02, 95% CI 0.75, 3.28) and having at least one chronic disease (β = 1.76, 95% CI 0.68, 2.84) showed positive associations with increased fear of future epidemics and/or pandemics. The findings emphasize the need for relevant authorities to prioritize mental health and disseminate information in a manner that avoids spreading fear and panic, particularly among vulnerable population groups.
本研究旨在了解塞浦路斯普通人群对未来大流行和/或传染病的恐惧程度，并全面研究影响这种感知恐惧的各种因素。这项横断面研究于 2022 年 10 月 1 日至 2023 年 2 月 19 日进行。采用比例配额抽样方法招募参与者，按年龄组、性别和居住地招募固定数量的参与者。该研究使用自填式问卷收集了社会人口学和健康相关特征、健康素养、信任、COVID-19 疫苗接种信息以及对未来传染病和/或大流行的感知恐惧等信息。该调查共纳入 1075 名参与者，其中 53.7%的人表示对未来大流行感到恐惧。逻辑回归分析显示，女性（OR=2.37，95%CI 1.78，3.16）和接种 COVID-19 疫苗的人（OR=1.57，95%CI 1.02，2.43）更有可能感到对未来大流行的恐惧。此外，更高的信任水平（OR=1.04，95%CI 1.02，1.06）和更高的健康素养（OR=1.05，95%CI 1.03，1.08）与对未来大流行的恐惧增加有关。相反，失业（OR=0.30，95%CI 0.13，0.65）和接受研究生教育会降低对未来大流行的恐惧（OR=0.56，95%CI 0.34，0.90）。线性回归模型显示，年龄较大（β=-0.10，95%CI -0.14，-0.05）与对未来大流行的恐惧评分较高呈负相关。相反，处于弱势群体（β=2.02，95%CI 0.75，3.28）和至少有一种慢性疾病（β=1.76，95%CI 0.68，2.84）与对未来传染病和/或大流行的恐惧增加呈正相关。这些发现强调了相关当局需要优先关注心理健康，并以避免传播恐惧和恐慌的方式传播信息，特别是在弱势群体中。
