The Role of Unrealistic Optimism in Explaining Preventive Behaviors in High Versus Low Endemic Malaria Settings in Belize
type: CreativeWork
description: Background: Of all the diseases an individual can encounter in the world, malaria is one of the most destructive. Simple measures like sleeping under a bednet would greatly reduce the burden (Abeku, 2007). When people estimate their risk relative to others, they are most often unrealistically optimistic, which may explain why those at risk often fail to perform behaviors, such as using a bednet that will reduce their risk. However, one study showed that people at high risk for malaria held pessimistic perceptions of their risk for the disease, but the reasons for this finding are unclear (Morrison, Ager, & Willock, 1999). Purpose: In this study I examined risk perceptions about malaria, specifically absolute and comparative risk for the disease, and the role such perceptions play in encouraging or discouraging preventive behavior in areas with high (> 50 cases/1,000) and low (< 1 case/1,000) rates of endemic malaria. In addition, I tested the accuracy hypothesis (Brewer, Cuite, Herrington, & Weinstein, 2004) between perceived risk of malaria and engaging in the preventive behavior of using a bednet. Method: This study used a cross-sectional, non-equivalent group comparison observational design and was conducted in Belize, Central America. The data were collected using both self-reported surveys and personal interviews from residents of 20 selected villages across the country with high (n = 10 villages) and low (n = 10 villages) endemic malaria. A minimum of 15 people per village were recruited, for a total sample size of 300 people, with approximately equal numbers of males and females. The survey assessed absolute and comparative risk perceptions, based on the recommendations by Brewer et al., as well as perceived control and risk behaviors related to malaria, and standard demographics. Results: More people in the high risk area had ever had malaria compared to those in the low risk area (42.7% vs. 8.8%, p < .001). Average perceived risk of ever getting malaria was…
abstract: Background: Of all the diseases an individual can encounter in the world, malaria is one of the most destructive. Simple measures like sleeping under a bednet would greatly reduce the burden (Abeku, 2007). When people estimate their risk relative to others, they are most often unrealistically optimistic, which may explain why those at risk often fail to perform behaviors, such as using a bednet that will reduce their risk. However, one study showed that people at high risk for malaria held pessimistic perceptions of their risk for the disease, but the reasons for this finding are unclear (Morrison, Ager, & Willock, 1999). Purpose: In this study I examined risk perceptions about malaria, specifically absolute and comparative risk for the disease, and the role such perceptions play in encouraging or discouraging preventive behavior in areas with high (> 50 cases/1,000) and low (< 1 case/1,000) rates of endemic malaria. In addition, I tested the accuracy hypothesis (Brewer, Cuite, Herrington, & Weinstein, 2004) between perceived risk of malaria and engaging in the preventive behavior of using a bednet. Method: This study used a cross-sectional, non-equivalent group comparison observational design and was conducted in Belize, Central America. The data were collected using both self-reported surveys and personal interviews from residents of 20 selected villages across the country with high (n = 10 villages) and low (n = 10 villages) endemic malaria. A minimum of 15 people per village were recruited, for a total sample size of 300 people, with approximately equal numbers of males and females. The survey assessed absolute and comparative risk perceptions, based on the recommendations by Brewer et al., as well as perceived control and risk behaviors related to malaria, and standard demographics. Results: More people in the high risk area had ever had malaria compared to those in the low risk area (42.7% vs. 8.8%, p < .001). Average perceived risk of ever getting malaria was…
author: Handysides, Daniel G.
language: English
keywords: Community-Based Research, Community Health and Preventive Medicine, Epidemiology, Health Services Research, Infectious Disease, Parasitic Diseases, Parasitology, Public Health Education and Promotion, Malaria -- prevention & control -- Belize; Endemic Diseases -- prevention & control -- Belize; Malaria -- epidemiology -- Belize; Environmental Exposure; Attitude to Health; Risk Assessment; Risk Reduction Behavior; Health Promotion -- education -- Belize; Community-Based Participatory Research.
date published: 2010-08-01T07:00:00Z
date modified: 2026-07-24T02:54:01Z
provider: Loma Linda University
publisher: Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
type: WebPage
source organization: Loma Linda University