Open AccessControl experiment for health center users to compare the usage of hand sanitizers through nudges during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan
Author(s) -
Masaki Takebayashi,
Kurenai Takebayashi
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
international research journal of public and environmental health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2360-8803
DOI - 10.15739/irjpeh.21.032
Subject(s) - nudge theory , hand sanitizer , pandemic , notice , covid-19 , hygiene , psychology , medicine , business , social psychology , political science , disease , pathology , infectious disease (medical specialty) , law
To assess the effectiveness of promoting hand hygiene by nudges, the control experiment was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan. Hand sanitizers were placed at entrances of health centers A (nudge group) and B (non-nudges/reference group). The users of each group were approximately 40 daily. In the nudge group, during week 1, the conventional notice was displayed. From weeks 2 to 4, sequential nudges based on the framework “MINDSPACE” were implemented: drawing an arrow on the floor towards a hand sanitizer, posting altruism messages, and providing trends in hand sanitizer usage. From weeks 5 to 8, no additional interventions were implemented. Until week 4, usage in the nudge group increased steeply. Although the gap narrowed after week 5, usage in the nudge group (1.7 times of week 1 usage) was higher than that in the reference group (1.4 times of week 1 usage) at week 8. The nudges cost 0.9 USD and were prepared within 3 hours. The series of nudges can be implemented with low cost and short preparation time, and the effect may last until week 8; these nudges will meet practitioners’ needs during the COVID-19 pandemic.