Browsing by Author "Dodds, Alexandra"

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    Exploring the influence of behavioural, normative and control beliefs on intentions to adhere to public health guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative interview based study
    (2023-03-10) Parsons Leigh, Jeanna; Moss, Stephana J.; Mizen, Sara J.; FitzGerald, Emily A.; Brundin-Mather, Rebecca; de Grood, Chloe; Dodds, Alexandra; Stelfox, Henry T.; Fiest, Kirsten M.
    Abstract Background Perceived severity and susceptibility of disease are predictors of individual behaviour during health crises. Little is known about how individual beliefs influence intentions to adhere to public health guidelines during periods of health crises, and how access to and consumption of information influence these intentions. This study investigated behavioural beliefs, normative beliefs, and control beliefs, and their influence on behavioural intentions to adhere to public health guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods Participants were recruited from a related COVID-19 study conducted by our team, and through snowball sampling in subsequent. Using a maximum variation sampling technique, we recruited a diverse group of participants representing six major regions in Canada. Participants took part in one-on-one semi-structured interviews from February 2021 to May 2021. Data were analyzed independently in duplicate by thematic analysis. The Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) was the conceptual framework used to organize dominant themes. Results We conducted a total of 60 individual interviews (137 eligible individuals contacted, 43.8% response rate) and identified six themes organized according to the three constructs of behavioural, normative and control beliefs as described in the TPB: (1) Behavioural: My “New Normal,” Individual Rights and Perceived Pandemic Severity, Fatigue with COVID-19, (2) Normative: COVID-19 Collective, (3) Control: Practicality of Public Health Guidelines, and (6) Conflicting Public Health Messages. Most (n = 43, 71.7%) participants perceived individuals in their geographic community to be following public health guidelines adequately. Several participants (n = 15, 25.0%) commented on the unequal impact of restrictions based on socioeconomic factors (i.e., class, race, age). Conclusion Individual perceptions of risk, loss of control, access to resources (i.e., childcare), and societal expectations, shaped intentions to engage in disease preventative behaviours (i.e., social distancing) during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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    Public perceptions during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada: a demographic analysis of self-reported beliefs, behaviors, and information acquisition
    (2022-04-09) Leigh, Jeanna P.; Brundin-Mather, Rebecca; Soo, Andrea; FitzGerald, Emily; Mizen, Sara; Dodds, Alexandra; Ahmed, Sofia; Burns, Karen E. A.; Plotnikoff, Kara M.; Rochwerg, Bram; Perry, Jeffrey J.; Benham, Jamie L.; Honarmand, Kimia; Hu, Jia; Lang, Raynell; Stelfox, Henry T.; Fiest, Kirsten
    Abstract Introduction We explored associations between sociodemographic factors and public beliefs, behaviors, and information acquisition related to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) to identify how the experiences of subpopulations in Canada may vary. Methods We administered a national online survey through Ipsos Incorporated to adults residing in Canada. Sampling was stratified by population age, sex, and regional distributions. We used descriptive statistics to summarize responses and test for differences based on gender, age, educational attainment, and household income using chi-squared tests, followed by weighted logistic regression. Results We collected 1996 eligible questionnaires between April 26th and May 1st, 2020. Respondents mean age was 50 years, 51% were women, 56% had a post-secondary degree, and 72% had a household income <$100,000. Our analysis found differences within the four demographic groups, with age effects most acutely evidenced. Respondents 65 years and older were more likely to perceive the pandemic as very serious, less likely to report declines in overall health, and more likely to intend to get vaccinated, compared to 18–29 year olds. Women overall were more likely to report negative outcomes than men, including stress due to the pandemic, and worsening social, mental/emotional, and spiritual health. Respondents 45 and older were more likely to seek and trust information from traditional Canadian news sources, while 18-29 year olds were more likely to seek and trust information on social media; overall, women and respondents with a post-secondary degree were more likely to access and trust online information from public health sites. Conclusion This study found important demographic differences in how adults living in Canada perceived the COVID-19 pandemic, the impacts on their health, and their preferences for information acquisition. Our results highlight the need to consider demographic characteristics in tailoring the format and information medium to improve large scale acceptance and uptake of mitigation and containment measures.
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    “We’re sinking”: a qualitative interview-based study on stakeholder perceptions of structural and process limitations to the Canadian healthcare system
    (2024-04-25) Parsons Leigh, Jeanna; Moss, Stephana J.; Mizen, Sara J.; Sriskandarajah, Cynthia; FitzGerald, Emily A.; Quinn, Amity E.; Clement, Fiona; Farkas, Brenlea; Dodds, Alexandra; Columbus, Melanie; Stelfox, Henry T.
    Abstract Background Despite longstanding efforts and calls for reform, Canada’s incremental approach to healthcare changes has left the country lagging behind other OECD nations. Reform to the Canadian healthcare system is essential to develop a higher performing system. This study sought to gain a deeper understanding of the views of Canadian stakeholders on structural and process deficiencies and strategies to improve the Canadian healthcare system substantially and meaningfully. Methods We conducted individual, ~ 45-minute, semi-structured virtual interviews from May 2022 to August 2022. Using existing contacts and snowball sampling, we targeted one man and one woman from five regions in Canada across four stakeholder groups: (1) public citizens; (2) healthcare leaders; (3) academics; and (4) political decision makers. Interviews centered on participants’ perceptions of the state of the current healthcare system, including areas where major improvements are required, and strategies to achieve suggested enhancements; Donabedian’s Model (i.e., structure, process, outcomes) was the guiding conceptual framework. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and de-identified, and inductive thematic analysis was performed independently and in duplicate according to published methods. Results The data from 31 interviews with 13 (41.9%) public citizens, 10 (32.3%) healthcare leaders, 4 (12.9%) academics, and 4 (12.9%) political decision makers resulted in three themes related to the structure of the healthcare system (1. system reactivity; 2. linkage with the Canadian identity; and 3. political and funding structures), three themes related to healthcare processes (1. staffing shortages; 2. inefficient care; and 3. inconsistent care), and three strategies to improve short- and long-term population health outcomes (1. delineating roles and revising incentives; 2. enhanced health literacy; 3. interdisciplinary and patient-centred care). Conclusion Canadians in our sample identified important structural and process limitations to the Canadian healthcare system. Meaningful reforms are needed and will require addressing the link between the Canadian identity and our healthcare system to facilitate effective development and implementation of strategies to improve population health outcomes.