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A Preliminary Evaluation of the Public Risk Perception Related to the COVID-19 Health Emergency in Italy

Author

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  • Giulia Motta Zanin

    (Department of Civil, Environmental, Land, Building Engineering and Chemistry (DICATECh), Polytechnic University of Bari, 70100 Bari, Italy)

  • Eleonora Gentile

    (Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neuroscience and Sense Organs (SMBNOS), University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70100 Bari, Italy)

  • Alessandro Parisi

    (Department of Civil, Environmental, Land, Building Engineering and Chemistry (DICATECh), Polytechnic University of Bari, 70100 Bari, Italy)

  • Danilo Spasiano

    (Department of Civil, Environmental, Land, Building Engineering and Chemistry (DICATECh), Polytechnic University of Bari, 70100 Bari, Italy)

Abstract

Governments faced with the spread of COVID-19 pandemic are adopting strict and severe mitigation measures to influence people’s behaviors. Public perception of health risk plays a key role in the adoption of these actions, in people’s feelings, and in their daily habits. To support decision makers from international to local levels to face with future sanitary emergencies, this study aims at investigating Italian public perceptions of health risk. To this purpose, a questionnaire was designed and administered within the period of Italian COVID-19 lockdown and quarantine to almost 9000 citizens in Italy and abroad. The obtained results highlight a significative influence that mass media play on both the level of knowledge and the feelings of the respondents. The findings also point out future variations of some perceived behaviors consequent to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Suggested Citation

  • Giulia Motta Zanin & Eleonora Gentile & Alessandro Parisi & Danilo Spasiano, 2020. "A Preliminary Evaluation of the Public Risk Perception Related to the COVID-19 Health Emergency in Italy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(9), pages 1-20, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:9:p:3024-:d:350925
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