Abstract
Widespread and sustained engagement with health-protective behaviors (i.e., hygiene and distancing) is critical to successfully managing the COVID-19 pandemic. Evidence from previous emerging infectious disease outbreaks points to the role of perceived risk, worry, media coverage, and knowledge in shaping engagement with health-protective behaviors and vaccination intentions. The aim of the current study was to examine the role of these factors in predicting recommended health-protective behaviors early in the pandemic. A secondary aim was to assess uncertainty and misconceptions about COVID-19. An online survey of 2,174 Australian residents was completed between March 2 and 9, 2020, at an early stage of the COVID-19 outbreak in Australia. Results revealed that two-thirds of respondents were at least moderately worried about a widespread COVID-19 outbreak. Worry about the outbreak and closely following media coverage were consistent predictors of greater engagement with health-protective behaviors and higher vaccination intentions. Uncertainty and misconceptions about COVID-19 were common, including uncertainty about whether people are likely to have natural or existing immunity to the virus. There was also uncertainty around whether specific home remedies (e.g., vitamins and saline rinses) would offer protection and whether the virus was human-made and deliberately released. Such misconceptions are likely to cause concern for members of the public. The findings also highlight psychological and demographic factors associated with lower engagement with health-protective behaviors, including male gender, younger age, and low levels of worry about the outbreak. These findings offer potential pathways and targets for interventions to encourage health-protective behaviors. The results relating to uncertainty and misconceptions about COVID-19 point to areas that could be usefully targeted by public information campaigns.
Highlights
On December 31, 2019, the first report of a “pneumonia of unknown cause” was made to the World Health Organization (WHO) Country Office (World Health Organization, 2020c)
A large proportion of respondents were from the state of New South Wales (NSW)
China indicates that engaging in hand hygiene and other healthprotective behaviors was associated with reduced psychological impact of the COVID-19 outbreak, including lower stress and anxiety (Wang et al, 2020)
Summary
On December 31, 2019, the first report of a “pneumonia of unknown cause” was made to the World Health Organization (WHO) Country Office (World Health Organization, 2020c). On January 10, 2020, WHO issued its first guidance on the “novel coronavirus,” with similarities to other coronaviruses such as SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) and MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome). By the end of January 2020, the novel coronavirus had spread to countries around the world, and the outbreak was declared a Public Emergency of International Concern. The first cases of COVID-19 in Australia were identified on January 25, 2020 (Minister for Health, 2020). As of March 7, there were 63 confirmed cases, including two deaths (Australian Government Department of Health, 2020b)
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