How risk and uncertainty drive behavioural responses to infectious disease epidemics: a discrete choice experiment

Human infectious disease dynamics are shaped by how people choose to modify their behaviour, or not, when faced with epidemic risk. For respiratory diseases like the flu or COVID-19, social distancing and facemask wearing are effective means to avoid catching and spreading disease. However, in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a poor understanding of how people would choose to behave in the event of a new pandemic emerging in the near future. In this project, a discrete choice experiment about behavioural responses to pandemics is being conducted among members of the UK’s general population. In responding to an online survey, participants are asked about their intention to practise social distancing and facemask wearing in different hypothetical situations describing the emergence of a new infectious disease. Findings from this work will help to improve understanding of public attitudes towards infectious disease prevention and contribute to epidemiological risk assessments and pandemic preparedness.