AUTHOR=Wong Li Ping , Chiu Ching-Ju , Alias Haridah , Lee Tony Szu-Hsien , Hu Zhijian , Lin Yulan 

TITLE=Preventing Re-Emergence of COVID-19: A National Survey of Public Risk Perceptions and Behavioural Intentions Concerning Travel Plan Among Taiwanese

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Public Health

VOLUME=9

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2021.710508

DOI=10.3389/fpubh.2021.710508

ISSN=2296-2565

ABSTRACT=<p><bold>Background:</bold> The objectives of this study were to investigate risk perceptions and travel intention among the general public in Taiwan during the COVID-19 outbreak.</p><p><bold>Methods:</bold> This study used a cross-sectional online survey to collect data. The questionnaire was disseminated via the social media platform (LINE and Facebook) to the general public.</p><p><bold>Results:</bold> A total of 3,237 complete responses were received, of whom 5.8% (95% CI 5.1–6.7) of the participants reported intent to travel to overseas countries with an apparent community spread and 5.5% (95% CI 4.7–6.3) reported intent to travel to other overseas countries in the next 1 month. A relatively higher proportion (46.5%; 95% CI 44.7–48.2) reported intention for domestic travelling. Participants who viewed travelling to only be risky for older adults or those with medical conditions (OR = 2.19; 95% CI 1.38–3.47) and who perceived that one will not get infected if one takes recommended precautionary measures (OR = 3.12; 95% CI 1.85–5.27) reported higher travelling intention to overseas countries with an apparent community spread.</p><p><bold>Conclusions:</bold> Overall, the findings suggest that risk perceptions were depicted as a strong influence of travel intentions.</p>