Multidisciplinary Approach to COVID-19 Risk Communication: A Framework and Tool for Individual and Regional Risk Assessment

Parajuli, R.R., Mishra, B., Banstola, A. et al. Multidisciplinary approach to COVID-19 risk communication: a framework and tool for individual and regional risk assessment. Sci Rep 10, 21650 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-78779-0

14 Pages Posted: 13 Jul 2020 Last revised: 11 Dec 2020

See all articles by Rishi Ram Parajuli

Rishi Ram Parajuli

University of Bristol

Bhogendra Mishra

Science Hub Nepal

Amrit Banstola

University of the West of England

Bhoj Raj Ghimire

Nepal Open University

Shobha Poudel

Science Hub Nepal

Kusum Sharma

Science Hub Nepal

Sameer Dixit

CMDN, Nepal

Sunil Shah

Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust

Padam Simkhada

University of Huddersfield

Edwin Van Teijlingen

Bournemouth University - Faculty of Health & Social Sciences

Date Written: June 23, 2020

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has exceeded over ten million cases globally with no vaccine available yet. Different approaches are followed to mitigate its impact and reduce its spreading in different countries, but limiting mobility and exposure have been de-facto precaution to reduce transmission. However, a full lockdown cannot be sustained for a prolonged period. Evidence-based, multidisciplinary approach on risk zoning, personal and transmission risk assessment on a near real-time, and risk communication would support the optimized decisions to minimize the impact of coronavirus on our lives. This paper presents a framework to assess the individual and regional risk of COVID-19 along with risk communication tools and mechanisms. Relative risk scores on a scale of 100 represent the integrated risk of influential factors. The personal risk model incorporates: age, exposure history, symptoms, local risk and existing health condition, whereas regional risk is computed through the actual cases of COVID-19, public health risk factors, socioeconomic condition of the region, and immigration statistics. A web application tool (www.covira.info) has been developed, where anyone can assess their risk and find the guided information links primarily for Nepal. This study provides regional risk for Nepal, but the framework is scalable across the world. However, personal risk can be assessed immediately from anywhere.

Note: Funding: None to declare

Declaration of Interest: None to declare

Keywords: COVID-19; risk assessment; health emergency disaster risk management; optimized decision; web application

JEL Classification: I00, I18

Suggested Citation

Parajuli, Rishi Ram and Mishra, Bhogendra and Banstola, Amrit and Ghimire, Bhoj Raj and Poudel, Shobha and Sharma, Kusum and Dixit, Sameer M. and Shah, Sunil and Simkhada, Padam and Van Teijlingen, Edwin, Multidisciplinary Approach to COVID-19 Risk Communication: A Framework and Tool for Individual and Regional Risk Assessment (June 23, 2020). Parajuli, R.R., Mishra, B., Banstola, A. et al. Multidisciplinary approach to COVID-19 risk communication: a framework and tool for individual and regional risk assessment. Sci Rep 10, 21650 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-78779-0, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3634190 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3634190

Rishi Ram Parajuli (Contact Author)

University of Bristol ( email )

United Kingdom
BS8 1TR (Fax)

Bhogendra Mishra

Science Hub Nepal ( email )

Balaju-16
Kathmandu
Nepal

Amrit Banstola

University of the West of England ( email )

Blackberry Hill Bristol
Bristol, Avon BS16 1QY
United Kingdom

Bhoj Raj Ghimire

Nepal Open University ( email )

Manbhawan, Jawalakhel, Lalitpur
Lalitpur, 3 09771
Nepal

Shobha Poudel

Science Hub Nepal ( email )

Balaju-16
Kathmandu
Nepal

Kusum Sharma

Science Hub Nepal ( email )

Balaju-16
Kathmandu
Nepal

Sameer M. Dixit

CMDN, Nepal ( email )

Laltipur
Lalitpur
Nepal

Sunil Shah

Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust ( email )

London, SE5 8AZ
United Kingdom

Padam Simkhada

University of Huddersfield ( email )

Queensgate
Huddersfield
West Yorkshire, HD1 3DH
United Kingdom

Edwin Van Teijlingen

Bournemouth University - Faculty of Health & Social Sciences

United Kingdom

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