Table 1 Definitions used for the six major variables of the HBM

Perceived Susceptibility

Reference to personal risk of contracting the disease if action is not taken to prevent transmission. For example: use of the personal pronouns ‘you’ and ‘us’ to emphasise personal risk.

Perceived Severity

Reference to any serious outcomes of not taking action to prevent transmission. For example: mention of the severity of symptoms or the potential risk of fatality for microcephaly in babies.

Perceived Benefits

Reference to any positive outcomes of taking action to prevent transmission. For example: protecting family and friends or the avoidance of serious health outcomes.

Perceived Barriers

Reference to addressing any of the barriers that may exist with regard to taking action to prevent transmission. For example: complex or time-consuming preventive actions.

Self-Efficacy

Reference to highlighting the competence or ability of the individual to take action to prevent transmission. For example: emphasising the integral nature of the individual in preventing arbovirus transmission.

Cues to Action

Inclusion of any trigger that prompts the individual to engage in taking action to prevent transmission. For example: if the poster provides instructions or reminders of specific preventive actions to take, a place to go to, such as a hospital for medical help after developing symptoms, or the provision of a telephone number to call.