Socio-demographic disparities in knowledge, practices, and ability to comply with COVID-19 public health measures in Canada

Abstract

Objectives: The effectiveness of public health interventions for mitigation of the COVID-19 pandemic depends on individual attitudes, compliance, and the level of support available to allow for compliance with these measures. The aim of this study was to describe attitudes and behaviours towards the Canadian COVID-19 public health response, and identify risk-modifying behaviours based on socio-demographic characteristics.

Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was administered in May 2020 to members of a paid panel representative of the Canadian population by age, gender, official language, and region of residence. A total of 4981 respondents provided responses for indicators of self-reported risk perceptions, attitudes, and behaviours towards COVID-19 public health measures.

Results: More than 90% of respondents reported confidence in the ability to comply with a variety of public health measures. However, only 51% reported preparedness for illness in terms of expectation to work if sick or access to paid sick days. Risk perceptions, attitudes, and behaviours varied by demographic variables. Men, younger age groups, and those in the paid workforce were less likely to consider public health measures to be effective, and had less confidence in their ability to comply. Approximately 80% of respondents reported that parents provided childcare and 52% reported that parents in the workforce provided childcare while schools were closed.

Conclusion: Policies to help address issues of public adherence include targeted messaging for men and younger age groups, social supports for those who need to self-isolate, changes in workplace policies to discourage presenteeism, and provincially co-ordinated masking and safe school policies.

Keywords: Attitude; Behaviour; COVID-19; Risk perception; Survey.

Fig. 1

a Respondents with children 14 years of age or younger (n = 930) reported on which individuals looked after the children in their household during school and daycare closures due to the pandemic. b Respondents who reported that parents provided childcare during school and daycare closures (n = 769) also identified the employment circumstances of the parent who provided the childcare. The category “Parent in the Workforce” includes those working remotely, those working part-time, those who took leave from their job, and those who were unemployed due to COVID-19 but otherwise have been working

Fig. 2

Respondents were asked if they had worn a face mask in the 24 hours prior to survey completion. a represents reported mask use by province of residence. b identifies the location(s) of mask use for respondents who reported wearing a mask in the previous 24 hours (n = 1617)

Fig. 3

a Proportion of respondents reporting contact with non-household members in the 7 days prior to survey completion. More non-household contacts were reported for provinces which were more advanced in the de-escalation of physical distancing (e.g., PEI) at the time of survey completion; however, in provinces where physical distancing was still in place during the survey period (e.g., ON), approximately 20% of respondents were reporting non-household contacts in May 2020. b The number of days in the past week respondents engaged in an activity with a non-household contact, for those reporting such activity (n = 1216)