Factors Related to Non-compliance With Non-pharmaceutical Interventions to Mitigate the Spread of SARS-CoV-2: Results From a Survey in the Swiss General Adult Population

Abstract

BackgroundNon-pharmaceutical interventions (NPI) play an important role in national efforts to control and contain the spread of SARS-CoV-2, but some people do not comply with these public health measures. The aim of this study was thus to describe this group of noncompliant people.MethodsA random sample of 1,157 people was drawn from the adult general population of Switzerland based on a three-stepped quota scheme considering the variables age (18–31, 32–45, 46–59, and ≥60 years), sex (male and female), and language region (German-, French-, and Italian-speaking Switzerland). We assessed a global scale of non-compliance with NPI based on several individual measures such as wearing face masks and social distancing. As predictor variables we included objective sociodemographic variables (e.g., age, sex) and easy measurable constructs (e.g., fears and worries about COVID-19, trust in medical experts).ResultsOut of 14 predictor variables tested, seven were statistically significantly associated with increased non-compliance with NPI: male sex, younger age, self-identification as low-risk group, judging the consequences of an infection with SARS-CoV-2 as non-serious, less worries and fears about the pandemic, not obtaining regular information from health authorities, and not trusting in medical experts. The most parsimonious multivariable prediction model included the variables younger age, low appraisal of negative consequences, less fear and worries, not obtaining regular information from health authorities, and not trusting in medical experts. The model accounted for 27.9% of variance explained in non-compliance with NPI.ConclusionYoung adults who perceive COVID-19 as mostly harmless/inconsequential and who ignore and/or mistrust information from health authorities and medical experts, are the population most likely to be noncompliant with NPI. These findings may help to target a group of people at high risk of infection and to efficiently concentrate educational and interventional public health measures.

Factors Associated With Nosocomial COVID-19 Infection Among Health Care Workers in an Urban-Setting Malaysia Hospital

“…Younger age groups were noted to be less compliant with government measures in Spain, the United States, and Switzerland. [15][16][17] It is also possible that those in the older age group are more experienced and tend to have better adherence to SOPs than younger HCWs. 18,19 In contrast to our study findings, a large seroprevalence study in Italy showed that health assistants and nurses had significantly higher odds of COVID-19 infection.…”

“…Younger age groups were noted to be less compliant with government measures in Spain, the United States, and Switzerland. 15-17 It is also possible that those in the older age group are more experienced and tend to have better adherence to SOPs than younger HCWs. 18,19…”

The Impact of Perceived Effectiveness of Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions (NPIs) on Attitude Toward Usage, Behavioral Intentions, and Actual Usage

“…Several factors impact the adoption of NPIs among the public. Recent research has discovered factors that influence how likely an individual is to use NPIs, including gender, age, self-identification as a low or high-risk group, beliefs regarding the seriousness of the infection, fear about the pandemic, information received from health authorities, and trust in medical experts (Goldfinch & Taplin, 2022; Hengartner et al, 2022). However, using TAM and the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) is a unique and novel approach to understanding how people determine their likelihood of utilizing NPIs.…”