Expediting a paradigm shift in disease prevention to reduce airborne transmission of virus-laden aerosols via comics and animation

Despite strong scientific evidence, global recognition of airborne transmission of respiratory viruses remains limited. Public understanding of virus-laden aerosols and willingness to adopt relevant precautionary measures are low. To address this gap, this study developed and tested three science communication formats, text, explainer comics, and animation, to evaluate their effectiveness in enhancing knowledge of virus-laden aerosols and encouraging adoption of five preventive measures. It also explores variations in media effectiveness across countries, occupations, and genders. The study employed an experimental design involving 3217 participants, educators, healthcare workers and university students, from Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Taiwan. They received surveys via text, explainer comics, or animation, while a control group received no media. Data were analysed using ANOVA and Post Hoc Sidak tests. Results were further summarized through growth percentage analysis. All media significantly improved knowledge of virus-laden aerosols (p < 0.001), with explainer comics and animation being more effective than text across countries, occupations, and genders (p < 0.001). On the other hand, animation appeared to most effectively increase willingness to adopt precautions against virus-laden aerosols (p < 0.100). Media effectiveness on willingness varied across countries, indicating cultural influences. While no media were effective across occupations, animation was most effective for females (p < 0.050). Environmental control measures, such as air filtration and UV disinfection, were generally preferred across countries, occupations and among females. In conclusion, comics and animation effectively enhance knowledge. Animation plays a crucial role in reducing resistance to preventive measures, especially in encouraging the use of air filtration and UV disinfection. Therefore, governments and disease control agencies should prioritize these media and emphasize precautionary measures to facilitate a paradigm shift and reduce airborne disease risk. The relevance of this study with 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Inner Development Goals (IDGs) is also discussed.