Production of a Health Awareness Video on Precautionary Measures Against Respiratory Infectious Diseases for Public...

The public transportation system is a high-risk medium for respiratory infectious disease (RID) transmission. Health awareness videos are integral to disseminating knowledge, elevating health-risk perceptions, and enhancing attitudes toward precautionary measures against RID, as per the Health Belief Model and Cognitive Dissonance theory.

This study aimed to produce and evaluate an evidence-based health awareness video on precautionary measures against RID among public transportation drivers (PTDs) in Lebanon.

This is a multistage project executed over 2 fiscal years. In stage 1, a scoping review study identifies articles on RID among PTDs. Search strategy follows a combination of concepts (influenza, COVID-19, and public transportation) using PubMed, CINAHL Complete, and other databases up to September 2025. Studies that reported the characteristics of PTDs, their knowledge, perceptions, and compliance with precautionary measures against RIDs are reviewed. In stage 2, based on the scoping review, a script for a health-awareness video is drafted. Using a classic Delphi technique, the script is revised and approved by 8 experts in public health, infection control, psychology, and filmmaking, using the Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool for audiovisuals (PEMAT-AV), and DISCERN. PEMAT-AV (13-items) systematically evaluates the understandability and actionability of educational materials. DISCERN tool (16-items) evaluates the quality of consumer health information. In stage 3, a nonblinded, randomized, 2-arm controlled trial is conducted on 387 drivers from different regions. Using a simple randomization technique, the experimental group watches the new video. The control group watches a neutral video on traffic signs. To evaluate the effectiveness of the video, participants' knowledge, risk perceptions, attitudes, and cognitive dissonance are measured using infection control guidelines, Health Belief Model tool, Vaccination Attitudes Examination scale, and dissonance thermometer. Using IBM SPSS, between-group analysis is performed with Student t test, ANOVA, and Pearson correlation, followed by forward-stepwise linear regression analyses (2-sided α=.025).

In stage 1, 20 relevant studies were identified. Studies from Lebanon described the sociodemographics, health- and work-related characteristics, and life challenges of the target population. Other studies reported influenza or COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, low vaccine uptake, inadequate cleaning or disinfection of vehicles, and elevated risk perceptions among computers. The prevalence and impact of RIDs and determinants of precautionary measures against RIDs were identified. In stages 2 and 3, the video will be revised by experts (projected 5 months), produced (projected 6 months), and tested (projected 2 months). The study has not been funded yet.

Findings from the scoping review study inspired the writing of the script (characters and dialogue), making it evidence-based and tailored toward the target viewers. A health awareness video on precautionary measures against RIDs contributes to a safer public transportation system and higher service usage. It aligns with the global mission to control the spread of RID and to lessen the disease burden.