Health risk communication during the dengue, chikungunya and Zika epidemics in Curaçao.

Abstract

The current research aimed to map the health risk communication and the risk perception of individuals during the dengue, chikungunya and Zika epidemics on the island of Curaçao. Risk events interact with social, psychological, cultural and institutional processes that can intensify or attenuate individual and social perceptions of risk and shape risk behavior. The process of a possible amplification or attenuation in risk perception was examined across three levels: on an institutional -, social - and individual level. Across these levels, expert interviews, discourse analysis, in-depth interviews and a focus group discussion were held.

It was found that an attenuation in risk perception had taken place regarding the dengue epidemic, which could be ascribed to the concept of habituation. Risk communication regarding the chikungunya epidemic initially attenuated the risk and this occurred mostly at the institutional level. Thereafter, the risk was amplified mostly at the social and individual level, probably due to the apparent physical manifestation of chikungunya. Risk communication from the institutional level regarding Zika initially amplified the risk perception, but this was later amplified at the social – and individual level. Another finding that could influence the social amplification of risk was the lack of mutual trust. A lack of trust was placed by the individuals of the current study in the government to adequately execute its duties regarding management and control of the epidemics. Moreover, the need of mutual effort between the public and government in preventing and controlling epidemics was found. Mostly, a structural, cooperative, multidisciplinary approach to the management and control of the epidemics and the corresponding risk communication was recommended.