Perceptions and responses to COVID-19 through wastewater surveillance information and online search behavior: A randomized controlled trial

Murakami, Michio; Nomura, Shuhei; Ando, Hiroki et al.

International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 2025, 118, 105224

Number of Access:409（2025-08-16 00:38 Counts）

Identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/11094/100572

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Title
Perceptions and responses to COVID-19 through wastewater surveillance information and online search behavior: A randomized controlled trial
Creator
NRID
1000050509932 1000050509932
researchmap permalink
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Scopus Author ID
23486135100 23486135100
CreatorName
Murakami, Michio
NRID
1000010799282 1000010799282
CreatorName
Nomura, Shuhei
CreatorName
Ando, Hiroki
NRID
1000030777967 1000030777967
CreatorName
Kitajima, Masaaki
Subject
Coronavirus
Online search behavior
Preventive behavior
Risk communication
Wastewater-based epidemiology
Description
Murakami M., Nomura S., Ando H., et al. Perceptions and responses to COVID-19 through wastewater surveillance information and online search behavior: A randomized controlled trial. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction 118, 105224 (2025); https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2025.105224.
Abstract
An influence of wastewater surveillance during infectious disease outbreak on public perception and behavior remains unclear. Here, we used a randomized controlled trial to analyze the influence of wastewater surveillance-based information on “understanding of,” “interest in,” “relief regarding,” “preventive behavioral intention against,” and “subsequent online search behavior related to” COVID-19. Valid responses were obtained from 1000 individuals in both control and intervention groups from Yahoo! JAPAN crowdsourcing users aged ≥18 years in Japan. This survey was conducted from August 4 to August 7, 2023, just before the common Japanese tradition of returning to hometowns. The questionnaire not only collected personal attributes but also gauged responses to COVID-19 information. This information highlighted the early detection capabilities and representativeness of wastewater surveillance compared with sentinel surveillance at medical institutions. At one-week post-survey, we obtained the survey participants’ online search history for key words such as “bullet train,” “highway,” “airplane,” and “wastewater.” Wastewater surveillance-based information did not notably elevate “understanding” or “specific intentions” regarding COVID-19, such as wearing masks and receiving vaccination. However, it significantly increased “interest in,” “relief concerning the infection status,” and “general preventive behavioral intentions.” Heightened “interest” and “general preventive intentions” did not depend on prior interest or behavior. However, those who previously engaged in preventive behavior or who were less interested in COVID-19 exhibited more “relief” after exposure to wastewater surveillance-based information. Furthermore, this information could slightly influence online searches, such as highways. In conclusion, information from wastewater surveillance effectively shapes individual perceptions of and responses to infections.
Publisher
Elsevier Ltd
Source Title
International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction
Volume (Issue)
118
Page
105224
Date of Issued
2025-02-15
Language
English
Handle URL
https://hdl.handle.net/11094/100572
PISSN
22124209
Relation.isIdenticalTo
DOI (Publisher Version)
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2025.105224
Access Rights
open access
CopyRight
This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
oaire:version
Version of Record
Category
学術雑誌論文 Journal Article