JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

The success of government-recommended mitigation measures in the COVID-19 pandemic depends largely on information uptake and implementation by individual citizens.

Objective:

Our aim was to assess citizens’ knowledge and attitudes towards COVID-19 recommendations in the Canton of Vaud, Switzerland.

Methods:

Cross-sectional, electronic survey with open and closed questions disseminated by community-based partners prior to the relaxation of government restrictions. Outcomes included citizen knowledge (9-question measure) and worry about the virus, perception of government measures, and recommendations for improvements. Comparisons used linear regression controlling for age, sex, education and health literacy. Free text answers were analysed thematically.

Results:

Of 807 people who accessed the survey, 684 (85%) completed all questions and 479 (60%) gave free-text recommendations. 75% were females, mean age was 48 years, and 93% had high health-literacy. Knowledge scores were high, with a median score of 8 out of 9. Mean levels of worry about the COVID-19 pandemic were higher in women than men (55 vs 44/100, p<0.001), and in lower health literacy respondents (57 vs 52/100, p=0.03). Self-reported adherence to recommendations was high (85%) and increased with age and worry (both p<0.001). Respondents rated their own adherence higher than others (85% vs 61%, p<0.001). Moreover, 34% of respondents reported having self-quarantined, up to 52% of those aged ≥75; those who had self-quarantine reported higher levels of fear. Nearly half (49%) of respondents felt the government response had been adequate, though younger age and higher levels of worry were associated with considering the response to be insufficient (both p<0.001). Analysis of open-text answers revealed four major themes: access to and use of masks, gloves and hand sanitizer; government messaging; lockdown / lockdown exit plan communication; and testing for COVID-19.

Conclusions:

Knowledge, adherence, and satisfaction with government recommendations and response were high in this sample, but many desired greater access to personal-protective equipment. Those with lower health literacy and who have been in self-isolation reported greater concerns about the pandemic.