TY - JOUR
T1 - Economic and social impacts of COVID-19 and public health measures
T2 - Results from an anonymous online survey in Thailand, Malaysia, the UK, Italy and Slovenia
AU - Osterrieder, Anne
AU - Cuman, Giulia
AU - Pan-Ngum, Wirichada
AU - Cheah, Phaik Kin
AU - Cheah, Phee Kheng
AU - Peerawaranun, Pimnara
AU - Silan, Margherita
AU - Orazem, Miha
AU - Perkovic, Ksenija
AU - Groselj, Urh
AU - Schneiders, Mira Leonie
AU - Poomchaichote, Tassawan
AU - Waithira, Naomi
AU - Asarath, Supa At
AU - Naemiratch, Bhensri
AU - Ruangkajorn, Supanat
AU - Skof, Lenart
AU - Kulpijit, Natinee
AU - MacKworth-Young, Constance R.S.
AU - Ongkili, Darlene
AU - Chanviriyavuth, Rita
AU - Mukaka, Mavuto
AU - Cheah, Phaik Yeong
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
©
PY - 2021/7/20
Y1 - 2021/7/20
N2 - Objectives To understand the impact of COVID-19 and public health measures on different social groups, we conducted a mixed-methods study in five countries (a € SEBCOV - social, ethical and behavioural aspects of COVID-19'). Here, we report the results of the online survey. Study design and statistical analysis Overall, 5058 respondents from Thailand, Malaysia, the UK, Italy and Slovenia completed the self-administered survey between May and June 2020. Poststratification weighting was applied, and associations between categorical variables assessed. Frequency counts and percentages were used to summarise categorical data. Associations between categorical variables were assessed using Pearson's χ 2 test. Data were analysed in Stata 15.0 Results Among the five countries, Thai respondents reported having been most, and Slovenian respondents least, affected economically. The following factors were associated with greater negative economic impacts: being 18-24 years or 65 years or older; lower education levels; larger households; having children under 18 in the household and and having flexible/no income. Regarding social impact, respondents expressed most concern about their social life, physical health, mental health and well-being. There were large differences between countries in terms of voluntary behavioural change, and in compliance and agreement with COVID-19 restrictions. Overall, self-reported compliance was higher among respondents who self-reported a high understanding of COVID-19. UK respondents felt able to cope the longest and Thai respondents the shortest with only going out for essential needs or work. Many respondents reported seeing news perceived to be fake, the proportion varying between countries, with education level and self-reported levels of understanding of COVID-19. Conclusions Our data showed that COVID-19 and public health measures have uneven economic and social impacts on people from different countries and social groups. Understanding the factors associated with these impacts can help to inform future public health interventions and mitigate their negative consequences. Trial registration number TCTR20200401002.
AB - Objectives To understand the impact of COVID-19 and public health measures on different social groups, we conducted a mixed-methods study in five countries (a € SEBCOV - social, ethical and behavioural aspects of COVID-19'). Here, we report the results of the online survey. Study design and statistical analysis Overall, 5058 respondents from Thailand, Malaysia, the UK, Italy and Slovenia completed the self-administered survey between May and June 2020. Poststratification weighting was applied, and associations between categorical variables assessed. Frequency counts and percentages were used to summarise categorical data. Associations between categorical variables were assessed using Pearson's χ 2 test. Data were analysed in Stata 15.0 Results Among the five countries, Thai respondents reported having been most, and Slovenian respondents least, affected economically. The following factors were associated with greater negative economic impacts: being 18-24 years or 65 years or older; lower education levels; larger households; having children under 18 in the household and and having flexible/no income. Regarding social impact, respondents expressed most concern about their social life, physical health, mental health and well-being. There were large differences between countries in terms of voluntary behavioural change, and in compliance and agreement with COVID-19 restrictions. Overall, self-reported compliance was higher among respondents who self-reported a high understanding of COVID-19. UK respondents felt able to cope the longest and Thai respondents the shortest with only going out for essential needs or work. Many respondents reported seeing news perceived to be fake, the proportion varying between countries, with education level and self-reported levels of understanding of COVID-19. Conclusions Our data showed that COVID-19 and public health measures have uneven economic and social impacts on people from different countries and social groups. Understanding the factors associated with these impacts can help to inform future public health interventions and mitigate their negative consequences. Trial registration number TCTR20200401002.
KW - epidemiology
KW - public health
KW - public health
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/85111077677
U2 - 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-046863
DO - 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-046863
M3 - Article
C2 - 34285007
AN - SCOPUS:85111077677
SN - 2044-6055
VL - 11
JO - BMJ open
JF - BMJ open
IS - 7
M1 - e046863
ER -