Using nasal sprays to prevent respiratory tract infections: a qualitative study of online consumer reviews and primary care patient interviews

Objectives Nasal sprays could be a promising approach to preventing respiratory tract infections (RTIs). This study explored lay people’s perceptions and experiences of using nasal sprays to prevent RTIs to identify barriers and facilitators to their adoption and continued use.Design Qualitative res...

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Main Authors: Paul Little, Katherine Bradbury, Lucy Yardley, Adam W A Geraghty, Ben Ainsworth, Kate Greenwell, Deb Smith, Laura Dennison, Sian Williamson, James Denison-Day, Fiona Mowbray, Samantha Richards-Hall
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMJ Publishing Group 2022-06-01
Series:BMJ Open
Online Access:https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/12/6/e059661.full
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author Paul Little
Katherine Bradbury
Lucy Yardley
Adam W A Geraghty
Ben Ainsworth
Kate Greenwell
Deb Smith
Laura Dennison
Sian Williamson
James Denison-Day
Fiona Mowbray
Samantha Richards-Hall
author_facet Paul Little
Katherine Bradbury
Lucy Yardley
Adam W A Geraghty
Ben Ainsworth
Kate Greenwell
Deb Smith
Laura Dennison
Sian Williamson
James Denison-Day
Fiona Mowbray
Samantha Richards-Hall
author_sort Paul Little
collection DOAJ
description Objectives Nasal sprays could be a promising approach to preventing respiratory tract infections (RTIs). This study explored lay people’s perceptions and experiences of using nasal sprays to prevent RTIs to identify barriers and facilitators to their adoption and continued use.Design Qualitative research. Study 1 thematically analysed online consumer reviews of an RTI prevention nasal spray. Study 2 interviewed patients about their reactions to and experiences of a digital intervention that promotes and supports nasal spray use for RTI prevention (reactively: at ‘first signs’ of infection and preventatively: following possible/probable exposure to infection). Interview transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis.Setting Primary care, UK.Participants 407 online customer reviews. 13 purposively recruited primary care patients who had experienced recurrent infections and/or had risk factors for severe infections.Results Both studies identified various factors that might influence nasal spray use including: high motivation to avoid RTIs, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic; fatalistic views about RTIs; beliefs about alternative prevention methods; the importance of personal recommendation; perceived complexity and familiarity of nasal sprays; personal experiences of spray success or failure; tolerable and off-putting side effects; concerns about medicines; and the nose as unpleasant and unhygienic.Conclusions People who suffer disruptive, frequent or severe RTIs or who are vulnerable to RTIs are interested in using a nasal spray for prevention. They also have doubts and concerns and may encounter problems. Some of these may be reduced or eliminated by providing nasal spray users with information and advice that addresses these concerns or helps people overcome difficulties.
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spelling doaj-art-c7d8fa3238bf4cf49f65fa5087cb4a3d2025-01-27T13:25:14ZengBMJ Publishing GroupBMJ Open2044-60552022-06-0112610.1136/bmjopen-2021-059661Using nasal sprays to prevent respiratory tract infections: a qualitative study of online consumer reviews and primary care patient interviewsPaul Little0Katherine Bradbury1Lucy Yardley2Adam W A Geraghty3Ben Ainsworth4Kate Greenwell5Deb Smith6Laura Dennison7Sian Williamson8James Denison-Day9Fiona Mowbray10Samantha Richards-Hall111 University of Southampton, Southampton, UK9 Psychology, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK7 School of Psychological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UKPrimary Care, Population Sciences and Medical Education, University of Southampton, Southampton, UKUniversity of Southampton, Southampton, UK3 Psychology, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UKApplied Health Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UKDepartment of Psychology, University of Southampton, Southampton, UKDivision of Health Sciences, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UKSchool of Psychology, University of Southampton, Southampton, Hants, UKCentre for Clinical and Community Applications of Health Psychology, School of Psychology, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UKCentre for Clinical and Community Applications of Health Psychology, School of Psychology, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UKObjectives Nasal sprays could be a promising approach to preventing respiratory tract infections (RTIs). This study explored lay people’s perceptions and experiences of using nasal sprays to prevent RTIs to identify barriers and facilitators to their adoption and continued use.Design Qualitative research. Study 1 thematically analysed online consumer reviews of an RTI prevention nasal spray. Study 2 interviewed patients about their reactions to and experiences of a digital intervention that promotes and supports nasal spray use for RTI prevention (reactively: at ‘first signs’ of infection and preventatively: following possible/probable exposure to infection). Interview transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis.Setting Primary care, UK.Participants 407 online customer reviews. 13 purposively recruited primary care patients who had experienced recurrent infections and/or had risk factors for severe infections.Results Both studies identified various factors that might influence nasal spray use including: high motivation to avoid RTIs, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic; fatalistic views about RTIs; beliefs about alternative prevention methods; the importance of personal recommendation; perceived complexity and familiarity of nasal sprays; personal experiences of spray success or failure; tolerable and off-putting side effects; concerns about medicines; and the nose as unpleasant and unhygienic.Conclusions People who suffer disruptive, frequent or severe RTIs or who are vulnerable to RTIs are interested in using a nasal spray for prevention. They also have doubts and concerns and may encounter problems. Some of these may be reduced or eliminated by providing nasal spray users with information and advice that addresses these concerns or helps people overcome difficulties.https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/12/6/e059661.full
spellingShingle Paul Little
Katherine Bradbury
Lucy Yardley
Adam W A Geraghty
Ben Ainsworth
Kate Greenwell
Deb Smith
Laura Dennison
Sian Williamson
James Denison-Day
Fiona Mowbray
Samantha Richards-Hall
Using nasal sprays to prevent respiratory tract infections: a qualitative study of online consumer reviews and primary care patient interviews
BMJ Open
title Using nasal sprays to prevent respiratory tract infections: a qualitative study of online consumer reviews and primary care patient interviews
title_full Using nasal sprays to prevent respiratory tract infections: a qualitative study of online consumer reviews and primary care patient interviews
title_fullStr Using nasal sprays to prevent respiratory tract infections: a qualitative study of online consumer reviews and primary care patient interviews
title_full_unstemmed Using nasal sprays to prevent respiratory tract infections: a qualitative study of online consumer reviews and primary care patient interviews
title_short Using nasal sprays to prevent respiratory tract infections: a qualitative study of online consumer reviews and primary care patient interviews
title_sort using nasal sprays to prevent respiratory tract infections a qualitative study of online consumer reviews and primary care patient interviews
url https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/12/6/e059661.full
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