Dataset Information

Worry and behaviour at the start of the COVID-19 outbreak: Results from three UK surveys (the COVID-19 rapid survey of Adherence to Interventions and responses [CORSAIR] study).

ABSTRACT: We aimed to describe worry and uptake of behaviours that prevent the spread of infection (respiratory and hand hygiene, distancing) in the UK at the start of the COVID-19 outbreak (January and February 2020) and to investigate factors associated with worry and adopting protective behaviours. Three cross-sectional online surveys of UK adults (28 to 30 January, n = 2016; 3 to 6 February, n = 2002; 10 to 13 February 2020, n = 2006) were conducted. We used logistic regressions to investigate associations between outcome measures (worry, respiratory and hand hygiene behaviour, distancing behaviour) and explanatory variables. 19.8% of participants (95% CI 18.8% to 20.8%) were very or extremely worried about COVID-19. People from minoritized ethnic groups were particularly likely to feel worried. 39.9% of participants (95% CI 37.7% to 42.0%) had completed one or more hand or respiratory hygiene behaviour more than usual in the last seven days. Uptake was associated with greater worry, perceived effectiveness of individual behaviours, self-efficacy for engaging in them, and having heard more information about COVID-19. 13.7% (95% CI 12.2% to 15.2%) had reduced the number of people they had met. This was associated with greater worry, perceived effectiveness, and self-efficacy. At the start of novel infectious disease outbreaks, communications should emphasise perceived effectiveness of behaviours and the ease with which they can be carried out.

SUBMITTER: Smith LE

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8711138 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Worry and behaviour at the start of the COVID-19 outbreak: Results from three UK surveys (the COVID-19 rapid survey of Adherence to Interventions and responses [CORSAIR] study).

Smith Louise E LE Potts Henry W W HWW Amlȏt Richard R Fear Nicola T NT Michie Susan S Rubin G James GJ

Preventive medicine reports 20211227

We aimed to describe worry and uptake of behaviours that prevent the spread of infection (respiratory and hand hygiene, distancing) in the UK at the start of the COVID-19 outbreak (January and February 2020) and to investigate factors associated with worry and adopting protective behaviours. Three cross-sectional online surveys of UK adults (28 to 30 January, n = 2016; 3 to 6 February, n = 2002; 10 to 13 February 2020, n = 2006) were conducted. We used logistic regressions to investigate associa ...[more]

PMID: 34976599

Similar Datasets

Project description:BackgroundGood communication between health authorities and citizens is crucial for adherence to preventive measures during a pandemic. Crisis communication often appeals to worries about negative consequences for oneself or others. While worry can motivate protective behavior, it can also be overwhelming and lead to irrational choices or become a mental health problem. Also, the levels and consequences of worry can differ between different groups of citizens. Little is known about the evolution of worries during the pandemic and adherence to measures in distinct groups.ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate worries in the Swiss population as well as associations between worry levels and citizens' adherence to government restrictions during different phases of the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsWe carried out an observational study with 4 cross-sectional online surveys of adults in the Canton of Vaud, Switzerland. Questionnaires were distributed through social media and websites during 4 periods: survey 1: April 17 to May 14, 2020; survey 2: May 15 to June 22, 2020; survey 3: October 30 to December 12, 2020; and survey 4: June 18 to December 30, 2021. On visual analog scales from 0 to 100, participants reported worry, self-adherence to pandemic restrictions, and their perceived adherence to others. We used multivariable linear regression, adjusting for age, gender, health literacy, and education to assess associations between self-reported worry, adherence, and study periods.ResultsWe collected 7106 responses. After excluding 2377 questionnaires (incomplete, age <18 years, residence outside Vaud), 4729 (66.55%) were analyzed (mean age 47, SD 15.6 years, 63.96% women). Mean worry across the 4 periods was 42/100, significantly higher in women (44.25/100, vs 37.98/100; P<.001) and young people (43.77/100 in those aged 18-39 years, vs 41.69/100; P=.005; in those aged 40-64 years and 39.16/100; P=.002; in those aged >64 years). Worries were higher during survey 1 and survey 3 (52.41/100 and 56.32/100 vs 38.93/100, P<.001; and 35.71/100, P<.001) than during survey 2 and survey 4, respectively. This corresponds to pandemic peaks during which federal restrictions were better followed with self-reported adherence of 84.80/100 and 89.59/100 in survey 1 and survey 3 versus 78.69/100 (P<.001) and 78.64/100 (P<.001) in survey 2 and survey 4. A 2.9-point increase in worry score, adjusted for the pandemic period, gender, age, education, and health literacy, was associated with a 10-point increase in personal adherence score (95% CI 2.5-3.2; P<.001).ConclusionsWorries were higher in women, young people, and during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Higher worry levels were associated with increased self-reported adherence to federal restrictions. Authorities should consider population worry levels and population subgroups in the planning and design of pandemic communication.

Project description:ObjectivesTo investigate changes in beliefs and behaviours following news of the Omicron variant and changes to guidance understanding of Omicron-related guidance, and factors associated with engaging with protective behaviours.DesignSeries of cross-sectional surveys (1 November to 16 December 2021, five waves of data collection).SettingOnline.ParticipantsPeople living in England, aged 16 years or over (n=1622-1902 per wave).Primary and secondary outcome measuresLevels of worry and perceived risk, and engagement with key behaviours (out-of-home activities, risky social mixing, wearing a face covering and testing uptake).ResultsDegree of worry and perceived risk of COVID-19 (to oneself and people in the UK) fluctuated over time, increasing slightly around the time of the announcement about Omicron (p<0.001). Understanding of rules in England was varied, ranging between 10.3% and 91.9%, with people overestimating the stringency of the new rules. Rates of wearing a face covering and testing increased over time (p<0.001). Meeting up with people from another household decreased around the time of the announcement of Omicron (29 November to 1 December), but then returned to previous levels (p=0.002). Associations with protective behaviours were investigated using regression analyses. There was no evidence for significant associations between out-of-home activity and worry or perceived risk (COVID-19 generally or Omicron-specific, p≥0.004; Bonferroni adjustment p<0.002 applied). Engaging in highest risk social mixing and always wearing a face covering were associated with worry and perceived risk about COVID-19 (p≤0.001). Always wearing a face covering in shops was associated with having heard more about Omicron (p<0.001).ConclusionsAlmost 2 years into the COVID-19 outbreak, the emergence of a novel variant of concern only slightly influenced worry and perceived risk. The main protective behaviour (wearing a face covering) promoted by new guidance showed significant re-uptake, but other protective behaviours showed little or no change.

Dataset Information

Worry and behaviour at the start of the COVID-19 outbreak: Results from three UK surveys (the COVID-19 rapid survey of Adherence to Interventions and responses [CORSAIR] study).

Publications

Worry and behaviour at the start of the COVID-19 outbreak: Results from three UK surveys (the COVID-19 rapid survey of Adherence to Interventions and responses [CORSAIR] study).

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets