Perceptions, concerns and reported behaviours in response to the first wave of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic across metropolitan, regional, rural and remote Australian communities

Abstract

Objective To investigate coronavirus disease 2019 community transmission concerns and adherence to social distancing and hygiene practices across metropolitan, regional, rural and remote areas in Australia. Design Cross‐sectional online survey of Australian adults conducted between April and May 2020 through convenience snowball sampling. Setting A range of locations across all states and territories of Australia. Participants Six hundred and seventy‐seven Australian adults, of which 78.8% lived outside of a metropolitan area. Main outcome measures Perceived threat of coronavirus disease 2019; social distancing guidelines and adherence; infection concerns; hygiene practices; frequency of leaving the house; impact of coronavirus disease 2019 on day‐to‐day life. Results Almost all respondents perceived the threat of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic was serious. There were high levels of support for the Australian Government's social distancing guidelines, although the perception that social distancing guidelines in participants’ communities were ‘too strict’ increased with remoteness area classification. Most respondents reported adherence with Australian Government social distancing guidelines. There was an association between remoteness and risk perception, with non‐metropolitan respondents more likely to feel safe when leaving the house. However, there was no association between geographical remoteness and self‐reported adherence with Australian Government social distancing guidelines. Conclusions This study provides an important initial insight into Australian perceptions and behaviours relating to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, and how perceptions and behaviours varied by geographical remoteness. The geographical remoteness of communities should be considered by policy makers to ensure effective communication with the Australian public regarding coronavirus disease 2019 and ongoing adherence with preventative health behaviours.

A qualitative exploration of health student perspectives of rural and remote placements during the early stages of the COVID‐19 pandemic

“…These perceptions appear consistent with attitudes in regional and rural areas of the reduced likelihood of COVID‐19 infection when compared to metropolitan areas. 21 , 22 The finding of the perceived relative safety of rural and remote placements is also consistent with other research about medical placements during the pandemic. 15 With health students reporting a willingness to travel to rural and remote locations, 23 a more flexible and nuanced approach to risk assessments for rural placements may be needed to allow students continued access to rural communities while still keeping students and communities safe.…”

“…Students also identified the irony of being disallowed from travelling to rural and remote locations without COVID‐19 cases only to then complete a substitute placement in a metropolitan location with known outbreaks. These perceptions appear consistent with attitudes in regional and rural areas of the reduced likelihood of COVID‐19 infection when compared to metropolitan areas 21,22 . The finding of the perceived relative safety of rural and remote placements is also consistent with other research about medical placements during the pandemic 15 .…”

Nature and extent of disruptions to staff clinical supervision practices in health care settings due to COVID‐19: A survey study

“…COVID‐19 context: Australia recorded its first case of COVID‐19 on 25 January 2020 in the state of Victoria. The number of cases grew exponentially to about 360 new cases per day as of 22 March 2020 and started decreasing to around 26 new cases as of 6 May 2020 14,15 . Queensland was the first state or territory in Australia to declare a public health emergency on 29 January 2020.…”

The Community, the Workplace, and Public Health Measures: A Qualitative Study of Factors that Impacted the Wellbeing of Rural Health Service Staff in Victoria, Australia, during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Furthermore, during the frst two years of the pandemic (2020-2021), the number of COVID-19 cases per capita was higher in Victoria than in any other Australian state or territory [17]. Te Victorian state government implemented a suite of public health measures designed to reduce the spread of COVID-19, including the most extensive and protracted lockdowns in Australia, a "ring of steel" which restricted travel between metropolitan and rural Victoria, the widespread use of masks in the community, and in the latter stages of the pandemic, vaccine mandates [18][19][20][21][22][23][24]. Te spread of COVID-19 continued and, at times, escalated rapidly, causing signifcant and enduring demand for health services resulting in rapid and substantial changes to the delivery of care [25][26][27].…”