Knowledge, Attitude, and Self-Reported Practice Towards Measures for Prevention of the Spread of COVID-19 Among Australians: A Nationwide Online Longitudinal Representative Survey.

Joanne Enticott,William Slifirski,Kim L Lavoie,Helena J Teede,Simon L Bacon,Jacqueline A Boyle

doi:10.3389/fpubh.2021.630189

Abstract

Objective: To assess and share learnings on the motivators and behavioural adherence across sex and age to evolving strategies in public policy to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2 at the end of a first COVID-19 wave and the beginning of a second COVID-19 wave in Australia.Design and Setting: A national longitudinal survey using a framework based on evidence-based behaviour change models. The survey was administered to a national sample representative across sex, age and location was undertaken at two time points: May 1st to 5th, 2020, and July 1st to 7th, 2020.Results: Overall 2,056 surveys were completed across the first and second rounds, with 63% (1,296/2,056) completing both. Age range was 18–99 years (median 53, IQR: 34–64). Suboptimal physical distancing and self-quarantining if unwell/diagnosed was reported in one in four respondents and not getting a test at onset of symptoms reported in one in three. Those non-adherent to all three behaviours (19%, 60/323), were mainly male, younger, lived in major cities and reported fewer concerns or motivators to change behaviour. Overall, government lockdown measures were considered very important by 81% (835/1,032) and appropriate by 75% (772/1,029).Conclusions: Prior to the suppression of a second COVID-19 wave, a significant minority of Australians reported suboptimal behavioural adherence to vital policy strategies to limit SARS-CoV-2 spread, mostly young adults and men. Successful wave 2 suppression required consistent communication from political and health leaders and supportive public health and economic strategies. Additional lockdown and punitive strategies were needed in Victoria and were generally well-supported and adhered to. To limit subsequent lockdown, this work reinforces the need for a mix of communication around saving lives of the vulnerable, and other strategies targeting high risk groups, facilitation of easy testing and minimisation of financial impacts.

Highlights

The COVID-19 pandemic has had an unprecedented impact of the lives of people around the world [1]
If we are to be successful in containing SARS-CoV-2, we must utilise evidence from behavioural sciences in order to optimise policy adherence [3], and create an environment which enables and motivates that behaviour [4]
This study aims to understand the drivers of behaviour around COVID-19, in order to better inform public health policies

Summary

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic has had an unprecedented impact of the lives of people around the world [1]. If we are to be successful in containing SARS-CoV-2, we must utilise evidence from behavioural sciences in order to optimise policy adherence [3], and create an environment which enables and motivates that behaviour [4] Health behaviour models such as the “capability,” “opportunity,” “motivation,” and “behaviour” model COMB and the Health Beliefs Model highlight important factors influencing behaviour [3, 5,6,7]. Examples of these factors include: perceiving a personal threat; believing a behaviour is effective to avoid that threat; possessing the capability to enact the behaviour; and having an environment which enables that behaviour. These factors may vary greatly across demographic subgroups, leading to differing patterns of behaviour [8]

Methods

Results

Conclusion