The Attitude and Behavior of Chinese Residents During the Outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the behavior and attitude of Chinese residents about the prevention of COVID-19 during the outbreak of global infectious diseases. Design and Methods: A cross-sectional online survey of Chinese residents was conducted using convenience and snowball sampling techniques. Online questionnaire survey was conducted from March 7 to March 14, 2020, and the respondents were community residents who could operate smart phones independently. By 24:00 on March 14, 908 questionnaires had been collected, of which 899 were valid. Findings: Focus on the availability and effectiveness of older adults in accessing vectors for epidemic information. Pay attention to the attitude and behavior of disease prevention measures of the group with low educational background. Monthly income is an important factor in adopting healthy behaviors. Therefore, in the case of shortage of epidemic prevention manpower resources, the focus will be more epidemic prevention manpower distribution in low-income, low educational population population. The community residents with high education and high income can serve as the secondary key area. Give play to the social function of all walks of life to ensure the supply of life materials. In the case of shortage of materials, priority should be given to the distribution of materials to prevent the epidemic, to ensure the basic operation of the city. Positive self-efficacy can encourage people to adhere to healthy behaviors, so as to ensure their health without being infected. Conclusions: In terms of the implementation of epidemic prevention measures, the government or social organizations should pay more attention to the characteristics of the key population and carry out targeted measures, especially the elderly, the elderly living alone, the low-income people with low educational background. At the same time, we will focus on the compliance of prevention and control measures for low-income and low-educated people, and intensify publicity and material support. The government should give full play to the social function of all walks of life, ensure the supply of materials for people who are quarantined at home, intensify the media propaganda, and release the epidemic information in an open, transparent, accurate and timely manner, so as to increase the information of residents against the virus.