A survey of perceptions and behavioural responses towards the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa
Background: The South African response to the Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus was swift and assertive, although it came with economic and social costs. An understanding of the pandemic experiences of different population groups is integral to enhancing disease cont...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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AOSIS
2025-01-01
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| Series: | African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine |
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| Online Access: | https://phcfm.org/index.php/phcfm/article/view/4702 |
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| _version_ | 1823858189265797120 |
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| author | Takana M. Silubonde Catherine E. Draper Shane A. Norris |
| author_facet | Takana M. Silubonde Catherine E. Draper Shane A. Norris |
| author_sort | Takana M. Silubonde |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: The South African response to the Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus was swift and assertive, although it came with economic and social costs. An understanding of the pandemic experiences of different population groups is integral to enhancing disease control.
Aim: The aim of this study was to identify behavioural responses and public perceptions relating to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
Setting: The study was conducted in South Africa.
Methods: In June 2022, a national online survey (N = 3018) was conducted among adults ( 18 years). Logistic regression was used to examine the factors associated with adherence to government measures and vaccination. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was applied to examine the direct and indirect relationship of socioeconomic status (SES) with protective behaviours.
Results: Data showed no direct association between SES and vaccination uptake, but SES was indirectly and positively associated with vaccination uptake. Socioeconomic status was also indirectly and positively associated with adherence to government measures through pathways mediated by access to the Internet, access to local news, government trust and positive government experiences.
Conclusion: This study highlights the complexity of government measures and vaccination adoption and the socioeconomic barriers affecting these.
Contribution: Results from this study should be used to inform future pandemic preparedness plans. In particular, policymakers should consider the importance of providing scientific information through channels accessible to each socioeconomic group to promote positive behavioural changes, as well as the need to adapt pandemic responses to different socioeconomic groups. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-48aa9f7941244b9e994164dbbc397711 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2071-2928 2071-2936 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | AOSIS |
| record_format | Article |
| series | African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine |
| spelling | doaj-art-48aa9f7941244b9e994164dbbc3977112025-02-11T13:26:27ZengAOSISAfrican Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine2071-29282071-29362025-01-01171e1e810.4102/phcfm.v17i1.47021216A survey of perceptions and behavioural responses towards the COVID-19 pandemic in South AfricaTakana M. Silubonde0Catherine E. Draper1Shane A. Norris2SAMRC Developmental Pathways for Health Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, JohannesburgSAMRC Developmental Pathways for Health Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, JohannesburgSAMRC Developmental Pathways for Health Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; and, Global Health Research Institute, School of Human Development and Health, University of Southampton, SouthamptonBackground: The South African response to the Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus was swift and assertive, although it came with economic and social costs. An understanding of the pandemic experiences of different population groups is integral to enhancing disease control. Aim: The aim of this study was to identify behavioural responses and public perceptions relating to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Setting: The study was conducted in South Africa. Methods: In June 2022, a national online survey (N = 3018) was conducted among adults ( 18 years). Logistic regression was used to examine the factors associated with adherence to government measures and vaccination. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was applied to examine the direct and indirect relationship of socioeconomic status (SES) with protective behaviours. Results: Data showed no direct association between SES and vaccination uptake, but SES was indirectly and positively associated with vaccination uptake. Socioeconomic status was also indirectly and positively associated with adherence to government measures through pathways mediated by access to the Internet, access to local news, government trust and positive government experiences. Conclusion: This study highlights the complexity of government measures and vaccination adoption and the socioeconomic barriers affecting these. Contribution: Results from this study should be used to inform future pandemic preparedness plans. In particular, policymakers should consider the importance of providing scientific information through channels accessible to each socioeconomic group to promote positive behavioural changes, as well as the need to adapt pandemic responses to different socioeconomic groups.https://phcfm.org/index.php/phcfm/article/view/4702covid-19behaviourperceptionfuture pandemicssouth africasurvey |
| spellingShingle | Takana M. Silubonde Catherine E. Draper Shane A. Norris A survey of perceptions and behavioural responses towards the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine covid-19 behaviour perception future pandemics south africa survey |
| title | A survey of perceptions and behavioural responses towards the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa |
| title_full | A survey of perceptions and behavioural responses towards the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa |
| title_fullStr | A survey of perceptions and behavioural responses towards the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa |
| title_full_unstemmed | A survey of perceptions and behavioural responses towards the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa |
| title_short | A survey of perceptions and behavioural responses towards the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa |
| title_sort | survey of perceptions and behavioural responses towards the covid 19 pandemic in south africa |
| topic | covid-19 behaviour perception future pandemics south africa survey |
| url | https://phcfm.org/index.php/phcfm/article/view/4702 |
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