Influence of trust on two different risk perceptions as an affective and cognitive dimension during Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) outbreak in South Korea: serial cross-sectional surveys

Jang, Won Mo; Kim, Un-Na; Jang, Deok Hyun; Jung, Hyemin; Cho, Sanghyun; Eun, Sang Jun; Lee, Jin Yong

The interviews were conducted based on two levels of the risk perception, which are personallevel and societal-level risk perceptions. 17 Personal-level risk perception was assessed using the question "How worried are you that you may contract MERS-COV infection?" Responses were assessed on a four-point scale, with four points indicating "very worried" and one point indicating "not worried at all" (reclassified as 1-2 points = "not worried"; 3-4 points = "worried"). Personal-level risk perception proportion was defined as the number of participants who were "worried" by the number of eligible respondents. Societal-level risk perception was evaluated using the question "Do you think the MERS epidemic will subside or spread within a few days?" and required the following responses: "controlled," "uncontrolled," or "no opinion". Questions about societal-level perception were included since the survey 2. Societal- level risk perception proportion was defined as the number of participants whose response was "uncontrolled" by the number of eligible respondents.