Worry and behaviour at the start of the COVID-19 outbreak: Results from three UK surveys (the COVID-19 rapid survey of Adherence to Interventions and responses [CORSAIR] study)

We aimed to describe worry and uptake of behaviours that prevent the spread of infection (respiratory and hand hygiene, distancing) in the UK at the start of the COVID-19 outbreak (January and February 2020) and to investigate factors associated with worry and adopting protective behaviours. Three cross-sectional online surveys of UK adults (28 to 30 January, n = 2016; 3 to 6 February, n = 2002; 10 to 13 February 2020, n = 2006) were conducted. We used logistic regressions to investigate associations between outcome measures (worry, respiratory and hand hygiene behaviour, distancing behaviour) and explanatory variables. 19.8% of participants (95% CI 18.8% to 20.8%) were very or extremely worried about COVID-19. People from minoritized ethnic groups were particularly likely to feel worried. 39.9% of participants (95% CI 37.7% to 42.0%) had completed one or more hand or respiratory hygiene behaviour more than usual in the last seven days. Uptake was associated with greater worry, perceived effectiveness of individual behaviours, self-efficacy for engaging in them, and having heard more information about COVID-19. 13.7% (95% CI 12.2% to 15.2%) had reduced the number of people they had met. This was associated with greater worry, perceived effectiveness, and self-efficacy. At the start of novel infectious disease outbreaks, communications should emphasise perceived effectiveness of behaviours and the ease with which they can be carried out.

本研究旨在描述2020年新型冠状病毒肺炎（COVID-19）疫情暴发初期（2020年1月至2月）英国成年民众对新冠的担忧程度，以及其采取的感染预防行为（呼吸道卫生、手部卫生与社交距离管控行为）的实施情况，并探究与民众担忧程度及保护性行为采纳相关的影响因素。本研究共开展三项针对英国成年人群的横断面线上调查，分别于2020年1月28日至30日（有效样本量n=2016）、2月3日至6日（n=2002）及2月10日至13日（n=2006）完成。本研究采用逻辑回归分析，探究结局指标（担忧程度、呼吸道与手部卫生行为、社交距离管控行为）与解释变量之间的关联。19.8%的受访民众（95%置信区间CI：18.8%~20.8%）对COVID-19感到非常或极度担忧，其中少数族裔群体的担忧程度尤为突出。39.9%的受访者在过去7天内较日常额外实施了1项及以上手部或呼吸道卫生防护行为（95%CI：37.7%~42.0%），该类行为的实施率与更高的担忧程度、个体行为感知有效性、实施行为的自我效能感，以及接触更多新冠相关资讯呈显著正相关。13.7%的受访者减少了线下会面的人数（95%CI：12.2%~15.2%），该社交距离管控行为的实施同样与更高的担忧程度、行为感知有效性及自我效能感相关。在新型传染病疫情暴发初期，公众沟通应着重强调防护行为的感知有效性及其实施便捷性。