Focusing on three important behaviours – hand hygiene, keeping sufficient distance in public and staying home - users can use the tool to get an estimate of their risk. Based on their answers, the tool will then offer users tailored advice on how to change behaviour to minimise risk to themselves and loved ones. Existing initiatives have not provided detailed insight into why people sometimes fail to adhere to the guidelines for preventive behaviours like social distancing and hand washing. However, understanding the determinants of these behaviours is required to achieve behaviour change. 

Dr Jenny Groarke, Dr Lisa Graham-Wisener and Dr Emma Berry from the Centre for Improving Health-Related Quality of Life, in the School of Psychology at Queen’s were involved in developing the tool. The project was led by the Academy of Behaviour Change in the Netherlands with more than 100 volunteers worldwide  

The team managing the ‘Your COVID-19 Risk’ tool will compare data internationally, providing advice to governments and health agencies on the best measures to take in their region.   

Talking about the tool, Dr Jenny Groarke said: “As we start to relax restrictions in the coming months these key behaviours will continue to be important for reducing transmission of COVID-19 in the community. The more people that use the tool, the better the advice. This will enable governments and health agencies to keep improving their messages to the general public.”  

The tool has been translated into 29 languages and has a broad global reach.  

The UK experts call on the public to participate at: https://your-covid-19-risk.com/. 

 

 

  

Media

Media inquiries to Sarah Beveridge at Queen's Communications Office on Tel: 07795 353874 or email s.beveridge@qub.ac.uk.