Behavioral Changes During The Covid-19 Pandemic: Results Of A National Survey in Singapore

Abstract

Introduction: As part of infection control measures for COVID-19, individuals have been encouraged to adopt both preventive (e.g., handwashing) and avoidant behavioural changes (e.g., avoiding crowds). In this study, we examined whether demographics predicted the likelihood that a person would adopt these behaviours in Singapore. Materials and Methods: 1145 participants responded to an online survey conducted between 7 March - 21 April 2020. As part of the survey, we collected demographic information and asked participants to report which of 17 behaviour changes they had undertaken because of the outbreak. We ran regression models to predict, using demographic information: (1) the total number of behavioural changes undertaken, (2) the number of preventive changes undertaken, and (3) the number of avoidant changes undertaken. Finally, we sought to identify predictors of persons who: (4) declared that they had not undertaken any of these measures following the outbreak. Results: Females and those who were younger adopted more preventive behaviours: whereas females were more likely to increase handwashing frequency, younger individuals were more likely to wear face masks prior to legislation. Females and those who were married adopted more avoidant behaviours, with both groups avoiding crowded areas and staying home more than usual. Females also voluntarily reduced physical contact, whereas those who were married chose outdoor venues and relied on online shopping. Conclusion: Our characterisation of behavioural changes provides a baseline for public health advisories. Moving forward, local health authorities can focus their efforts to encourage segments of the population who do not readily adopt infection control measures against COVID-19.

Tracking private WhatsApp discourse about COVID-19: A longitudinal infodemiology study in Singapore

“…Throughout the second half of the study period (7 April to 7 May), participants experienced a nation-wide lockdown with movement restrictions, and business and school closures (Baker, 2020). (The resident population’s behavioural and emotional responses to COVID-19 during this period have been documented elsewhere; see Liu & Tong (2020); Long & Liu (2020); Saw et al (2020)).…”

Towards a digital solution: Predicting public take-up of Singapore’s contact tracing mobile application during the COVID-19 crisis

“…Aside from behavioral modifications, it is notable that no demographic (e.g., age, gender) or situational variable (e.g., number of COVID-19 cases, lockdown status) emerged as a predictor of digital contact tracing adoption. Prior to our study, it would have been conceivable that only a subset of the population would download a contact tracing application (e.g., demographic sectors based on gender, educational level, or age [26,40] [36]). By contrast, our findings highlight how take-up of digital contact tracing cuts across demographic groups.…”

“…They then completed a 10-minute online survey hosted on the platform Qualtrics [34]. Data collection came from the second phase of a larger study tracking COVID-19 responses, and findings from the first phase have been described elsewhere [35,36].…”

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“…Also daily activities like hand hygiene were helping disease mitigation all along these times. Sanitization after every touch creates a healthy ecosystem coupled with mask and physical distancing (16).…”