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. 2022 Feb;105(2):269-276.
doi: 10.1016/j.pec.2021.09.006. Epub 2021 Sep 9.

Applying harm reduction to COVID-19 prevention: The influence of moderation messages and risk infographics

Deena Kemp  1 , Andy J King  2 , Sean J Upshaw  3 , Mike Mackert  3 , Jakob D Jensen  4
Affiliations

Applying harm reduction to COVID-19 prevention: The influence of moderation messages and risk infographics

Deena Kemp et al. Patient Educ Couns. 2022 Feb.

Abstract

Objective: We propose that harm reduction messages advocating moderation versus abstinence from social interaction will be seen as less threatening and increase intentions to follow COVID-19 guidelines. We also examine two important moderators: the influence of risk framing and willingness to risk infection.

Method: A 2 × 2 between-participants, randomized experiment (N = 476) varied infographics portraying low-risk behaviors, like going camping, versus high-risk behaviors, like attending a concert, followed by either moderation or abstinence guidelines. Participants in two additional control groups saw an infographic displaying either a full range of risk behaviors or behaviors that pose no risk, each followed by generic guidelines.

Results: Regression analyses show moderation messages are less freedom-threatening only when presenting low-risk behaviors. Persons more willing to risk infection found all messages more freedom-threatening; however, for these individuals, moderation messages increased behavioral intentions when risks were presented as high.

Conclusion: This study suggests harm reduction may be applied effectively in a pandemic, where the behavior of risk-tolerant individuals, at a population level, could have suboptimal effects on curbing virus transmission.

Practice implications: Health educators should communicate harm reduction with certain populations but also test to ensure messaging, including visuals communicating relative risks, are received as intended.

Keywords: COVID-19; Harm reduction; Infographics; Reactance; Visual risk framing.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations of interest None.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Chart illustrating process of assigning participants to each of the 6 experimental conditions.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Behavioral intention based on risk willingness for high-risk and low-risk moderation and abstinence conditions. Note: Risk willingness was measured on a 5-point scale where 1 = Strongly Disagree, 2 = Somewhat Disagree, 3 = Neutral, 4 = Somewhat Agree, 5 = Strongly Agree; error bars represent standard error.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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