Understanding, knowledge and willingness to comply with health advice on
COVID-19 in rural Australia: Results of a cross-sectional survey.
Abstract
Purpose Rural populations were particularly vulnerable to
Covid-19. Understanding, knowledge and willingness to comply with health
advice varies across population groups and is influenced by perceptions
of risk. This study aimed to identify if there was any variation in
perceived risk and compliance with health advice among different groups
in rural Australia that could inform health communication strategies in
future pandemics. Methods The study used a cross-sectional
on-line survey with Australian residents aged 18 years and over,
residing in Western NSW, Australia. Both bivariate and multivariate
analyses were conducted, including multinomial logistic regression
modelling. Results The characteristics that predicted both
intention to comply with health advice and actual behaviour were gender
(being female), First Nations status (Aboriginal) and age (older). The
lower the perceived risk to the individual the more likely they were to
have limited or no intention to comply with preventative measures. A
bivariate correlation analysis determined there was a small (r= 0.265)
significant (p < 0.001) correlation between intention to
comply with preventative measures and the frequency with which people
engaged in good hygiene practices. Concusions The results
suggest there are groups in rural areas who need tailored health
communications to encourage compliance with health advice. The members
of the community who were less vulnerable, particularly young men, were
less likely to comply. In future pandemics governments could take both a
geographic and a population group segmented approach to health
communications instead of a blanket approach.