scholarly journals A national cross-sectional survey of public perceptions of the COVID-19 pandemic: Self-reported beliefs, knowledge, and behaviors

PLoS ONE ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (10) ◽  
pp. e0241259
Author(s):  
Jeanna Parsons Leigh ◽  
Kirsten Fiest ◽  
Rebecca Brundin-Mather ◽  
Kara Plotnikoff ◽  
Andrea Soo ◽  
...  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeanna Parsons Leigh ◽  
Kirsten Fiest ◽  
Rebecca Brundin-Mather ◽  
Kara Plonikoff ◽  
Andrea Soo ◽  
...  

Introduction: Efforts to mitigate the global spread of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) have largely relied on broad compliance with public health recommendations, yet navigating the high volume of evolving information and misinformation related to SARS-CoV-2 can be challenging. We assessed national public perceptions (e.g., severity, concerns, health), knowledge (e.g., transmission, information sources), and behaviors (e.g., physical distancing) related to COVID-19 in Canada to understand public perspectives and inform future public health initiatives. Methods: We administered a national online survey with the goal of obtaining responses from 2000 adults residing in Canada. Respondent sampling was stratified by age, sex, and region. We used descriptive statistics to summarize respondent characteristics and tested for significant overall regional differences using chi-squared tests and t-tests, as appropriate. Results: We collected 1,996 eligible questionnaires between April 26th and May 1st, 2020. One-fifth (20%) of respondents knew someone diagnosed with COVID-19, but few had tested positive themselves (0.6%). Negative impacts of pandemic conditions were evidenced in several areas, including concerns about healthcare (e.g. sufficient equipment, 52%), pandemic stress (45%), and worsening social (49%) and mental/emotional (39%) health. Most respondents (88%) felt they had good to excellent knowledge of virus transmission, and predominantly accessed (74%) and trusted (60%) Canadian news television, newspapers/magazines, or non-government news websites for COVID-19 information. We found high compliance with distancing measures (80% either self-isolating or always physical distancing). We identified regional differences in perceptions, knowledge, and behaviors related to COVID-19. Discussion: We found that knowledge about COVID-19 is largely acquired through domestic news sources, which may explain high self-reported compliance with prevention measures. The results highlight the broader impact of a pandemic on the general public′s overall health and wellbeing, outside of personal infection. The study findings should be used to inform public health communications during COVID-19 and future pandemics.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 215013272110133
Author(s):  
Neel Shimpi ◽  
Ingrid Glurich ◽  
Catherine Maybury ◽  
Min Qi Wang ◽  
Kazumasa Hashimoto ◽  
...  

Objective Health education interventions during pregnancy can influence maternal oral health (OH), maternal OH-behaviors and children’s OH. Interventions that can be delivered at anytime and anywhere, for example mobile-health (mHealth) provides an opportunity to address challenges of health education and support activation of women in underserved and rural communities to modify their health behavior. This pilot study was undertaken as a part of a mHealth initiative to determine knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to pregnancy and ECC prevention among women attending obstetrics/gynecology (OB/GYN) practices at a large rurally-based clinic. Methods A cross-sectional survey study was voluntarily engaged by women (n = 191) aged 18 to 59 years attending OB/GYN visits, over a 3-week period from 12/2019 to 1/2020. Survey results were analyzed applying descriptive statistics, X2 and Fisher’s Exact tests. The significance level was set at P < .0001 for all analyses. Results Approximately half of respondents were between 18 and 29 years (53%), had a college degree (55%), and 100% reported cell phone use. Whereas 53% and 31%, respectively, indicated that they were “somewhat” or “very” sure of how to prevent ECC in their children, only 9% recognized evidence of early decay and 30% did not know the purpose of fluoride. Overall, only 27% of participants correctly answered the knowledge-based questions. Further, only 57% reported their provider explained things in a way that was easy to understand. Only 24% reported seeing a dentist during their current pregnancy. Conclusions Study results suggested potential gaps in knowledge and behaviors related to ECC prevention and provided baseline data to inform future interventions to improve ECC prevention practices. Notably, majority of participants used their cell phones for making medical/dental appointments and reported using their phones to look up health-related information. This demographic represents a potentially receptive target for mHealth approaches to improve understanding of oral health maintenance during pregnancy and ECC prevention.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S677-S677
Author(s):  
Marisa Orbea ◽  
Rachel Cunningham ◽  
C Mary Healy ◽  
Julie A Boom ◽  
Claire Bocchini

Abstract Background SARS-CoV-2 vaccine hesitancy (VH) is hindering nationwide vaccination efforts; little is known about caregiver SARS-CoV-2 vaccine acceptance for children. We aimed to identify associations with SARS-CoV-2 VH in caregivers of hospitalized children. Methods We conducted a prospective cross-sectional survey in English and Spanish of caregiver COVID-19 knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, and associated VH among hospitalized children 6 months - 18 years at a large pediatric medical institution. Parents were approached daily, averaging 4-5 days/week, from 12/8/2020--4/5/2021. VH was assessed using the Parent Attitudes about Childhood Vaccines (PACV) survey; PACV score ≥50 denoted VH. Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression were used. Responses were categorized. Results 295/307 (96%) of approached caregivers enrolled; 79% were ≥ 30 years, 68% were married/ living with a partner, and 57% had at least some college. 36% identified as white, 19% Black, and 46% Hispanic/ Latino. 53% of caregiver children had public insurance. 91% of caregivers self-reported their children were up to date with routine vaccines. 17% of caregivers were vaccine-hesitant overall. 50% of caregivers were willing to receive COVID-19 vaccine themselves. Figure 1 shows intention to vaccinate their child by PACV score. 65% knew someone who was hospitalized for COVID-19. 67% were scared of their child getting COVID-19. However, 49% were scared of their child getting the vaccine, 28% did not want to vaccinate their child and 27% were neutral in the intention to vaccinate their child. Caregivers who did not intend to vaccinate their child were more likely to be Black (27% vs. 16%, p=0.04) and less likely to be Hispanic/ Latino (33% vs. 49%, p=0.02). Table 1 shows attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccine in caregivers who did or did not intend to vaccinate their child. Figure 1 COVID-19 vaccine uptake by PACV score Table 1 Caregiver attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and the COVID-19 vaccine Conclusion The majority of caregivers believe that SARS-CoV-2 vaccine will help control the pandemic, but less than half plan to vaccinate their children. A quarter of caregivers expressed uncertainty regarding the vaccine and therefore may be amenable to education and discussion. COVID-19 VH is different from VH towards routine vaccinations. More research is needed to address COVID-19 specific VH. Disclosures C. Mary Healy, MD, Dexcom (Shareholder)Intuitive (Shareholder)Quidel Corporation (Shareholder)Up to Date (Other Financial or Material Support, Honorarium)Vapotherm (Shareholder)


2020 ◽  
Vol 01 (02) ◽  
pp. 212-220
Author(s):  
Shahid Ullah ◽  
Asghar Ullah Khan ◽  
Muhammad Imran Khan

The research study was conducted to examine favorite political party and the people’s perception about outcomes of general elections 2018. Researcher drawn 400 sample from population of district Dera Ismail Khan using non-probability sampling technique through Curry & Dr. John in 2007 method for sample selection. The researcher used the convenient sampling techniques for the data collections. The study adopted the cross-sectional survey research method with closed-ended questionnaire for measuring concept. The results revealed that there is significant relationship between favorite political party and public perceptions about current government. The study is expected to provide suitable contribution to existing database of knowledge about the issues under considerations in this research. Study is also expected to offer valuable recommendation as extracted from the results of the current study for the general public and policy makers.


2015 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 151-158
Author(s):  
Keqin Jia ◽  
Judy Fleiter ◽  
Mark King ◽  
Mary Sheehan ◽  
Wenjun Ma ◽  
...  

Jia, K., Fleiter, J., King, M., Sheehan, M., Ma, W., & Zhang, J. (2015). Knowledge and behaviors of drunk-driving offenders in Guangzhou, China. The International Journal Of Alcohol And Drug Research, 4(2), 151-158. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.7895/ijadr.v4i2.203Aims: To better understand the knowledge and behaviors of drunk-driving offenders relating to alcohol use and driving in thecontext of recently amended Chinese legislation, and to investigate the involvement of alcohol-use disorders.Design: The study was a cross-sectional survey conducted in 2012.Setting and participants: Data were collected at a local jail and 101 participants were recruited while in detention.Measures: Questionnaire items examined demographic characteristics as well as practices and knowledge relating to alcohol useand driving. The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) was used to assess hazardous drinking levels.Findings: Knowledge about the two legal limits for “drink driving” and for “drunk driving” was low, at 28.3% and 41.4%,respectively. AUDIT scores indicated that a substantial proportion of the offenders had high levels of alcohol-use disorders.Higher AUDIT scores were found among the least experienced drivers, those who lacked knowledge about the legal limits, andrecidivist drunk drivers.Conclusions: Limited awareness of legal alcohol limits might contribute to offending; high AUDIT scores suggest thathazardous drinking levels may also contribute. This study provides important information to assist in refining communityeducation and prevention efforts.


2015 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 151-158 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keqin Jia ◽  
Judy Fleiter ◽  
Mark King ◽  
Mary Sheehan ◽  
Wenjun Ma ◽  
...  

Jia, K., Fleiter, J., King, M., Sheehan, M., Ma, W., & Zhang, J. (2015). Knowledge and behaviors of drunk-driving offenders in Guangzhou, China. The International Journal Of Alcohol And Drug Research, 4(2), 151-158. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.7895/ijadr.v4i2.203Aims: To better understand the knowledge and behaviors of drunk-driving offenders relating to alcohol use and driving in thecontext of recently amended Chinese legislation, and to investigate the involvement of alcohol-use disorders.Design: The study was a cross-sectional survey conducted in 2012.Setting and participants: Data were collected at a local jail and 101 participants were recruited while in detention.Measures: Questionnaire items examined demographic characteristics as well as practices and knowledge relating to alcohol useand driving. The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) was used to assess hazardous drinking levels.Findings: Knowledge about the two legal limits for “drink driving” and for “drunk driving” was low, at 28.3% and 41.4%,respectively. AUDIT scores indicated that a substantial proportion of the offenders had high levels of alcohol-use disorders.Higher AUDIT scores were found among the least experienced drivers, those who lacked knowledge about the legal limits, andrecidivist drunk drivers.Conclusions: Limited awareness of legal alcohol limits might contribute to offending; high AUDIT scores suggest thathazardous drinking levels may also contribute. This study provides important information to assist in refining communityeducation and prevention efforts.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (37) ◽  
pp. 2017-2023
Author(s):  
Ashish Bijaykrishna Banerjee ◽  
Madhumati Varma ◽  
Ambika Sharma ◽  
Anita Banerjee ◽  
Lokendra Sharma

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