Perceptions of Covid-19-related nudges in the Arab world

A cross-country analysis of approval rates and associated factors

Bibliographic Data

ID19593000
AuthorsFadi Makki (0000-0003-3727-5764, Behavioral Tech, corresponding author), Belal Nedal Sabbah (0000-0001-9131-7430, Alfaisal University, corresponding author), Hani Tamim (0000-0002-2019-4362, Alfaisal University, corresponding author), Mariam Abdelnabi (0009-0008-6276-8716, University of Warwick, corresponding author), Paola Schietekat (0000-0002-2367-2075, Anova IT Consulting (Spain), corresponding author), Nabil Saleh (0000-0002-7189-5249, Partners In Care, corresponding author), Ali Osseiran (0000-0002-4750-9141, corresponding author), AbdulKarim AlMakadma (0000-0002-2244-8194, Alfaisal University, corresponding author), Mohamed Al-Komi (0000-0003-0307-2926, American University in Cairo, corresponding author), Ebaa Alsayed (American University in Cairo, corresponding author), Rajaa Fakhoury (0000-0002-2091-0066, Alfaisal University, corresponding author), Fatima Saleh (0000-0002-3225-3673, Beirut Arab University, corresponding author), Basema Saddik (0000-0002-4682-5927, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, corresponding author), Hana M A Fakhoury (0000-0001-9974-2108, Alfaisal University, corresponding author), Sarah Daher (0009-0000-2965-8154, Alfaisal University, corresponding author), Cass R Sunstein (0000-0003-4194-3008, Harvard University Press, corresponding author)
EditorsMiguel Reina Ortiz (0000-0003-3309-6881)
Year2025
Volume5
Issue10
Pagese0004692
Publication date2025-10-10
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenuePLOS Global Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2767-3375 • E-ISSN: 2767-3375
PublisherPublic Library of Science (PLoS) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1371/journal.pgph.0004692
PMID41071768
OpenAlexW4415049407
LanguageEN
References cited17

The COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated novel approaches to influence public behavior. While “nudging” has gained prominence in Western contexts, its perception and effectiveness in the Arab world remain understudied. This study aimed to investigate the approval of COVID-19-related nudges across four Arab countries and explore associated sociodemographic factors. A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2020 to January 2022, involving 698 participants from Egypt, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Participants were presented with eight hypothetical COVID-19-related nudges categorized according to distinct behavioral mechanisms: choice architecture (e.g., floor markers, prominent placement of fruits and vegetables), information disclosure (publicly sharing infection causes), moral appeals (letters from elderly urging compliance), social norm enforcement (public shaming of violators and use of spoilers on billboards), and surveillance-based interventions (GPS tracking of quarantined individuals). Approval rates varied widely (50%–95%). Less intrusive nudges received the highest support: supermarket floor markers (95.4%), prominent display of fruits and vegetables (88.8%), park area divisions (82.0%), infection cause disclosure (86.5%), and elderly letters urging compliance (84.1%). Approval was lower for more intrusive measures, including billboard spoilers (52.0%) and public shaming of curfew violators (49.9%). GPS tracking, the most intrusive intervention, received intermediate approval (72.8%). Higher COVID-19 concern was significantly associated with greater approval of nudges (p

Curfew · Disenchantment · Enforcement · Nudge theory · Pandemic · Perception · Psychological intervention · Public health · Behavioral Health and Interventions · COVID-19 Pandemic Impacts · Environmental Education and Sustainability

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