Dataset Information

Examining Australian's beliefs, misconceptions and sources of information for COVID-19: a national online survey.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Public cooperation to practise preventive health behaviours is essential to manage the transmission of infectious diseases such as COVID-19. We aimed to investigate beliefs about COVID-19 diagnosis, transmission and prevention that have the potential to impact the uptake of recommended public health strategies.

Design

An online cross-sectional survey.

Participants

A national sample of 1500 Australian adults with representative quotas for age and gender provided by an online panel provider.

Main outcome measure

Proportion of participants with correct/incorrect knowledge of COVID-19 preventive behaviours and reasons for misconceptions.

Results

Of the 1802 potential participants contacted, 289 did not qualify, 13 declined and 1500 participated in the survey (response rate 83%). Most participants correctly identified 'washing your hands regularly with soap and water' (92%) and 'staying at least 1.5?m away from others' (90%) could help prevent COVID-19. Over 40% (incorrectly) considered wearing gloves outside of the home would prevent them from contracting COVID-19. Views about face masks were divided. Only 66% of participants correctly identified that 'regular use of antibiotics' would not prevent COVID-19.Most participants (90%) identified 'fever, fatigue and cough' as indicators of COVID-19. However, 42% of participants thought that being unable to 'hold your breath for 10?s without coughing' was an indicator of having the virus. The most frequently reported sources of COVID-19 information were commercial television channels (56%), the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (43%) and the Australian Government COVID-19 information app (31%).

Conclusions

Public messaging about hand hygiene and physical distancing to prevent transmission appears to have been effective. However, there are clear, identified barriers for many individuals that have the potential to impede uptake or maintenance of these behaviours in the long term. We need to develop public health messages that harness these barriers to improve future cooperation. Ensuring adherence to these interventions is critical.

SUBMITTER: Thomas R

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7907616 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Examining Australian's beliefs, misconceptions and sources of information for COVID-19: a national online survey.

Thomas Rae R Greenwood Hannah H Michaleff Zoe A ZA Abukmail Eman E Hoffmann Tammy C TC McCaffery Kirsten K Hardiman Leah L Glasziou Paul P

BMJ open 20210223 2

<h4>Objective</h4>Public cooperation to practise preventive health behaviours is essential to manage the transmission of infectious diseases such as COVID-19. We aimed to investigate beliefs about COVID-19 diagnosis, transmission and prevention that have the potential to impact the uptake of recommended public health strategies.<h4>Design</h4>An online cross-sectional survey.<h4>Participants</h4>A national sample of 1500 Australian adults with representative quotas for age and gender provided by ...[more]

PMID: 33622946

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Project description:AimGiven the need for data to inform public health messaging to mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic, this national survey sought to assess the state of COVID-19-related knowledge, beliefs, mental health, substance use changes, and behaviors among a sample of U.S. adults.Subject and methodsIn the period March 20-30, 2020, we collected data on COVID-19-related knowledge, awareness and adoption of preventive practices, depression and anxiety (Patient Health Questionnaire-4), stress (Impact of Event Scale-6), pessimism, and tobacco and alcohol use. Differences between age groups (18-39 years, 40-59 years and ≥ 60 years) were tested using Pearson's chi-squared tests or ANOVAs; associations between drinking and smoking and depression, anxiety, and stress were tested using adjusted logistic regression models.ResultsApproximately half of the sample (N Total = 6391) were 50-69 years old and 58% were female. COVID-19 knowledge (mean = 12.0; SD = 1.2) and protective practice awareness (mean = 9.1; SD = 0.8) were high. Among respondents, 44% had a score consistent with depression and anxiety (PHQ-4 score ≥ 6), and 52% reported high stress scores (≥ median of 1.33). COVID-19-related anxiety and depression were associated with increased drinking (AOR = 1.79; 95% CI = 1.49, 2.15) and smoking (AOR = 2.17; 95% CI = 1.64, 2.88). High stress scores were also associated with increased drinking (AOR = 1.80; 95% CI = 1.49, 2.17, p < 0.001) and smoking (AOR = 1.75; 95% CI = 1.31, 2.33).ConclusionsIn spite of high knowledge levels, important gaps were identified. High prevalence of poor mental health outcomes and associated increases in drinking and smoking warrant ongoing risk communications tailoring to effectively disseminate information and expanding psychosocial services, particularly via telehealth, to mitigate the negative mental health impact of COVID-19.Supplementary informationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10389-021-01564-4.

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Dataset Information

Examining Australian's beliefs, misconceptions and sources of information for COVID-19: a national online survey.

Objective

Design

Participants

Main outcome measure

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Examining Australian's beliefs, misconceptions and sources of information for COVID-19: a national online survey.

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