Profiling factors of occupant behaviour change towards indoor respiratory infection control in post-pandemic Australia

Abstract

Purpose: Occupant behaviour (OB) significantly impacts building energy performance, occupant comfort and workplace health. This paper aims to explore occupant behaviour change (OBC) relating to respiratory disease transmissions. Design/methodology/approach: This paper collected 530 survey responses from occupants in 66 buildings with operable windows in Melbourne in 2023. OBCs were grouped, measured and analysed with univariate and multivariate regressions towards three indoor respiratory transmission routes: (1) fomite: hand hygiene behaviours; (2) airborne: individual interventions to indoor air quality including face masking and window openings; and (3) droplets: social distancing and reducing working hours in the workplace. Findings: Regressions show that OBC towards different transmission routes share the same primary determinants, including risk perception and co-worker behaviour change. Older age significantly influenced air-related OBC, while fomite-related OBC was more associated with the gender factor. By contrast, the personal factor was negligible for droplet-related OBCs, which were more influenced by perceived individual space in the workplace. Research limitations/implications: First, the sample used in this paper is skewed towards occupants in prime educational and office buildings in a developed country, limiting the findings’ generalisation. Second, readers should also be aware that the scales used for the OBC towards three transmission routes include a limited number of items that limit the scope of measurement. Third, the research depends on correlational rather than experimental data, demonstrating connections but not causation or directionality. Therefore, other studies, such as experiments, interviews and field observations, are required to validate the results of OBC in the workplace. Practical implications: This study informs practitioners and modellers on the significant change in OBs relating to respiratory disease transmissions to improve their building energy and respiratory infection risk assessment models. In addition, the findings inform building designers of occupant preference for touchless public interface and more individual space in the workplace. Social implications: This research helps in understanding building OB and behaviour change in respect of respiratory diseases which will, in turn, improve building occupant by reducing the risk of indoor transmission of respiratory diseases. Originality/value: This paper provides information about OBC concerning respiratory infection control and offers evidence-based insight into the determinants of those changes