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The Rapid Adaptation and Optimisation of a Digital Behaviour-Change Intervention to Reduce the Spread of COVID-19 in Schools

Author

Listed:
  • Georgia Treneman-Evans

    (Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1QU, UK
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Becky Ali

    (Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1QU, UK
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • James Denison-Day

    (Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1QU, UK
    Primary Care Research Centre, University of Southampton, Southampton SO16 5ST, UK)

  • Tara Clegg

    (Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1QU, UK)

  • Lucy Yardley

    (Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1QU, UK
    Primary Care Research Centre, University of Southampton, Southampton SO16 5ST, UK
    These authors also belong to NIHR Health Protection Research Unit (HPRU) in Behavioural Science and Evaluation at the University of Bristol, a collaboration between UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and University of Bristol.)

  • Sarah Denford

    (Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1QU, UK
    These authors also belong to NIHR Health Protection Research Unit (HPRU) in Behavioural Science and Evaluation at the University of Bristol, a collaboration between UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and University of Bristol.
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Rosie Essery

    (Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1QU, UK
    Primary Care Research Centre, University of Southampton, Southampton SO16 5ST, UK
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

Abstract

The rapid transmission of COVID-19 in school communities has been a major concern. To ensure that mitigation systems were in place and support was available, a digital intervention to encourage and facilitate infection-control behaviours was rapidly adapted and optimised for implementation as a whole-school intervention. Using the person-based approach, ‘Germ Defence’ was iteratively adapted, guided by relevant literature, co-production with Patient and Public Involvement representatives, and think-aloud interviews with forty-five school students, staff, and parents. Suggested infection-control behaviours deemed feasible and acceptable by the majority of participants included handwashing/hand-sanitising and wearing a face covering in certain contexts, such as crowded public spaces. Promoting a sense of collective responsibility was reported to increase motivation for the adoption of these behaviours. However, acceptability and willingness to implement recommended behaviours seemed to be influenced by participants’ perceptions of risk. Barriers to the implementation of recommended behaviours in school and at home primarily related to childcare needs and physical space. We conclude that it was possible to rapidly adapt Germ Defence to provide an acceptable resource to help mitigate against infection transmission within and from school settings. Adapted content was considered acceptable, persuasive, and accessible.

Suggested Citation

  • Georgia Treneman-Evans & Becky Ali & James Denison-Day & Tara Clegg & Lucy Yardley & Sarah Denford & Rosie Essery, 2022. "The Rapid Adaptation and Optimisation of a Digital Behaviour-Change Intervention to Reduce the Spread of COVID-19 in Schools," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(11), pages 1-22, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:11:p:6731-:d:828898
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sarah Dryhurst & Claudia R. Schneider & John Kerr & Alexandra L. J. Freeman & Gabriel Recchia & Anne Marthe van der Bles & David Spiegelhalter & Sander van der Linden, 2020. "Risk perceptions of COVID-19 around the world," Journal of Risk Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 23(7-8), pages 994-1006, August.
    2. Claudia R. Schneider & Sarah Dryhurst & John Kerr & Alexandra L. J. Freeman & Gabriel Recchia & David Spiegelhalter & Sander van der Linden, 2021. "COVID-19 risk perception: a longitudinal analysis of its predictors and associations with health protective behaviours in the United Kingdom," Journal of Risk Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 24(3-4), pages 294-313, April.
    3. Liliana Cori & Fabrizio Bianchi & Ennio Cadum & Carmen Anthonj, 2020. "Risk Perception and COVID-19," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(9), pages 1-6, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Yuan Liu & Chuyao Liao & Li Zhuo & Haiyan Tao, 2022. "Evaluating Effects of Dynamic Interventions to Control COVID-19 Pandemic: A Case Study of Guangdong, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(16), pages 1-17, August.
    2. Inez Wilson Heenan & Derbhile De Paor & Niamh Lafferty & Patricia Mannix McNamara, 2023. "The Impact of Transformational School Leadership on School Staff and School Culture in Primary Schools—A Systematic Review of International Literature," Societies, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-27, May.

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