An Environmental Scan of Australian Government and Health Organisation Messages on QR Code Check-in Compliance Behaviour in the COVID-19 Pandemic using the Theory of Planned Behaviour

Compliance with COVID-19 preventive behaviours together with the urgency to contain the virus underscored the need for rapid yet effective public health massaging. While messages aimed to inform and protect the public, the evolving situation often precluded the use of theoretically-grounded and empirically-driven approaches. The aim of the current study was to analyse the presence and prevalence of belief-based constructs and strategies known to foster behaviour change embedded within Australian Government communications regarding QR code check-in and compliance behaviour during the COVID-19 pandemic using the Theory of Planned Behaviour as a guiding framework. Six belief codes and five behaviour change techniques were identified in 17 communication messages. Findings highlight the use of potentially effective strategies in the messages to change behaviour; for example, drawing on attitudinal and self-efficacy beliefs. Yet, results also identified gaps, such as a lack of strategies to highlight normative influences and build habits, that can inform future messaging and pandemic preparedness.