Characteristics of participants in a public rubella antibody testing program conducted at a Japan professional football league venue

J Gen Fam Med. 2023 Feb 16;24(3):194-198. doi: 10.1002/jgf2.611. eCollection 2023 May.

Abstract

Background: Hypothesizing that soccer-associated public health campaigns influence men more than women, we investigated the characteristics and motivations of participants who received rubella antibody testing at a Japanese professional football league event.

Methods: This was a survey-based cross sectional study, comparing the characteristics and motivations between men and women regarding rubella antibody testing.

Results: Free and convenient testing was the biggest behavioral influencer, but the information provided by healthcare professionals and athletes also played a strong motivating role. Men reported more influence from celebrity athletes than women.

Conclusions: Public health attention raised by celebrity athletes may facilitate rubella awareness among male spectators.

Keywords: Japan's professional football league; behavioral factors; infectious diseases; public health campaign; rubella antibody tests.