Whilst the nation has taken to washing its hands regularly since the start of the pandemic, other individual behaviours, such as cleaning and disinfecting surfaces or social distancing within the home, have proved harder to stick, say the researchers behind the behaviour change website Germ Defence.
Whilst the nation has taken to washing its hands regularly since the start of the pandemic, other individual behaviours, such as cleaning and disinfecting surfaces or social distancing within the home, have proved harder to stick, say the researchers behind the behaviour change website Germ Defence.
In their new study published today (Friday 26 February 2021) in the Journal of Medical Internet Research, psychologists from the universities of Bath, Bristol and Southampton working with experts from Public Health England, warn of the continuing risks of household transmission of COVID-19 and the ongoing importance of breaking chains of transmission now and in the future.
Their research analysed user data of the website Germ Defence – a site which was developed by clinicians and scientists to increase awareness of infection control at home. Germ Defence was adapted with funding from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) at the start of the pandemic to help in our response to COVID-19.
Germ Defence provides simple, tailored advice appropriate to people’s different circumstances and helps people to use simple behaviour change techniques to reduce virus spread at home. This covers a variety of topics, such as the importance of opening windows to keep rooms well-ventilated, as well as reminders about cleaning surfaces and quarantining delivery packages. It has recently been updated with advice on keeping safe while attending vaccination appointments.
Read more at University of Bath
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