Development and validation of the MosquitoWise survey to assess perceptions towards mosquitoes and mosquito-borne viruses in Europe

Ayat Abourashed; Pauline A. de Best; Laura Doornekamp; Reina S. Sikkema; Eric C.M. van Gorp; Aura Timen; Frederic Bartumeus; John R.B. Palmer; Marion P.G. Koopmans

doi:10.1038/s41598-024-52219-9

Development and validation of the MosquitoWise survey to assess perceptions towards mosquitoes and mosquito-borne viruses in Europe

Ayat Abourashed^*, Pauline A. de Best, Laura Doornekamp, Reina S. Sikkema, Eric C.M. van Gorp, Aura Timen, Frederic Bartumeus, John R.B. Palmer, Marion P.G. Koopmans

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article › Academic › peer-review

Abstract

Due to climate change and the expanding geographical ranges of key mosquito species, several mosquito-borne viruses (MBVs) have recently emerged in Europe. Understanding people’s perceptions and behaviours towards these viruses and the mosquitoes capable of transmitting them is crucial for implementing effective prevention measures and targeted communication campaigns. However, there is currently no appropriate validated survey for European populations to assess this. This study developed and validated a standardized survey, based on the Health Belief Model (HBM), to assess perceptions of mosquitoes and MBVs among Europe’s residents. The survey was distributed online to United Kingdom (UK), Dutch and Spanish participants through panel providers. Survey validity and reliability were tested using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and Cronbach’s alpha. The optimised survey was completed by 336 UK, 438 Dutch and 475 Spanish residents, respectively, and the HBM items passed our validity and reliability testing in all three countries. The final survey has 57 questions, including 19 validated HBM items, and questions to assess demographic characteristics, knowledge, prevention measures and behavioural determinants. Our MosquitoWise survey bridges researchers' understandings of European residents’ perceptions and knowledge as a first step to improve preventive behaviour towards mosquitoes and MBVs and guide prevention and communication initiatives.

Original language	English
Article number	1777
Pages (from-to)	1-12
Number of pages	12
Journal	Scientific Reports
Volume	14
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-52219-9
Publication status	Published - 20 Jan 2024

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This study was supported by the European Union’s Horizon H2020 grant VEO (874735). This publication is also a part of the project ‘Preparing for vector-borne virus outbreaks in a changing world: a One Health Approach’ (NWA.1160.1S.210), which is (partly) financed by the Dutch Research Council (NWO).

Funding Information:
We would like to thank Marion de Vries, Marieta Braks, Daniel Barker and Adam Kane for their expert input in creating the survey items. We also thank Peter Lugtig for his expertise in survey validation. We thank Fraukje Mevissen for her input on modifying the items. We also thank all the translators for their work and the experts who tested the survey before distribution. Lastly, we thank all the survey participants who took the time to take our survey.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2024, The Author(s).

Funding

This study was supported by the European Union’s Horizon H2020 grant VEO (874735). This publication is also a part of the project ‘Preparing for vector-borne virus outbreaks in a changing world: a One Health Approach’ (NWA.1160.1S.210), which is (partly) financed by the Dutch Research Council (NWO). We would like to thank Marion de Vries, Marieta Braks, Daniel Barker and Adam Kane for their expert input in creating the survey items. We also thank Peter Lugtig for his expertise in survey validation. We thank Fraukje Mevissen for her input on modifying the items. We also thank all the translators for their work and the experts who tested the survey before distribution. Lastly, we thank all the survey participants who took the time to take our survey.

Funders	Funder number
Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek
Marion de Vries
European Union’s Horizon H2020	NWA.1160.1S.210
Horizon 2020 Framework Programme	874735

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Abourashed, A., de Best, P. A., Doornekamp, L., Sikkema, R. S., van Gorp, E. C. M., Timen, A., Bartumeus, F., Palmer, J. R. B., & Koopmans, M. P. G. (2024). Development and validation of the MosquitoWise survey to assess perceptions towards mosquitoes and mosquito-borne viruses in Europe. Scientific Reports, 14, 1-12. Article 1777. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-52219-9

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abstract = "Due to climate change and the expanding geographical ranges of key mosquito species, several mosquito-borne viruses (MBVs) have recently emerged in Europe. Understanding people{\textquoteright}s perceptions and behaviours towards these viruses and the mosquitoes capable of transmitting them is crucial for implementing effective prevention measures and targeted communication campaigns. However, there is currently no appropriate validated survey for European populations to assess this. This study developed and validated a standardized survey, based on the Health Belief Model (HBM), to assess perceptions of mosquitoes and MBVs among Europe{\textquoteright}s residents. The survey was distributed online to United Kingdom (UK), Dutch and Spanish participants through panel providers. Survey validity and reliability were tested using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and Cronbach{\textquoteright}s alpha. The optimised survey was completed by 336 UK, 438 Dutch and 475 Spanish residents, respectively, and the HBM items passed our validity and reliability testing in all three countries. The final survey has 57 questions, including 19 validated HBM items, and questions to assess demographic characteristics, knowledge, prevention measures and behavioural determinants. Our MosquitoWise survey bridges researchers' understandings of European residents{\textquoteright} perceptions and knowledge as a first step to improve preventive behaviour towards mosquitoes and MBVs and guide prevention and communication initiatives.",

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note = "Funding Information: This study was supported by the European Union{\textquoteright}s Horizon H2020 grant VEO (874735). This publication is also a part of the project {\textquoteleft}Preparing for vector-borne virus outbreaks in a changing world: a One Health Approach{\textquoteright} (NWA.1160.1S.210), which is (partly) financed by the Dutch Research Council (NWO). Funding Information: We would like to thank Marion de Vries, Marieta Braks, Daniel Barker and Adam Kane for their expert input in creating the survey items. We also thank Peter Lugtig for his expertise in survey validation. We thank Fraukje Mevissen for her input on modifying the items. We also thank all the translators for their work and the experts who tested the survey before distribution. Lastly, we thank all the survey participants who took the time to take our survey. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2024, The Author(s).",

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AU - van Gorp, Eric C.M.

AU - Timen, Aura

AU - Bartumeus, Frederic

AU - Palmer, John R.B.

AU - Koopmans, Marion P.G.

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N2 - Due to climate change and the expanding geographical ranges of key mosquito species, several mosquito-borne viruses (MBVs) have recently emerged in Europe. Understanding people’s perceptions and behaviours towards these viruses and the mosquitoes capable of transmitting them is crucial for implementing effective prevention measures and targeted communication campaigns. However, there is currently no appropriate validated survey for European populations to assess this. This study developed and validated a standardized survey, based on the Health Belief Model (HBM), to assess perceptions of mosquitoes and MBVs among Europe’s residents. The survey was distributed online to United Kingdom (UK), Dutch and Spanish participants through panel providers. Survey validity and reliability were tested using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and Cronbach’s alpha. The optimised survey was completed by 336 UK, 438 Dutch and 475 Spanish residents, respectively, and the HBM items passed our validity and reliability testing in all three countries. The final survey has 57 questions, including 19 validated HBM items, and questions to assess demographic characteristics, knowledge, prevention measures and behavioural determinants. Our MosquitoWise survey bridges researchers' understandings of European residents’ perceptions and knowledge as a first step to improve preventive behaviour towards mosquitoes and MBVs and guide prevention and communication initiatives.

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Development and validation of the MosquitoWise survey to assess perceptions towards mosquitoes and mosquito-borne viruses in Europe

Abstract

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