Wave 14

COSMO Canada

Implementing the WHO Behavioural Insights tool on COVID-19 to inform response efforts, including policy, interventions and communications.

Background

To support federal response efforts, Impact Canada is leading the implementation of the World Health Organization (WHO) Behavioural Insights (BI) Tool on COVID-19 in the Canadian context. This work is led in collaboration with the Public Opinion Research Team within the Privy Council Office's (PCO) Communications and Consultation Secretariat, which supports the Prime Minister's Office in coordinating government communications in accordance with key priorities.

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Methodology

With a longitudinal design, the study follows 2,000 participants recruited from an online panel over sixteen data collection waves. New participants are added only when an original panelist stops participating.

Respondents are a representative mix of Canadian adults aged 18 years and older and results are weighted using 2016 Statistics Canada census data to mirror the population distribution in Canada.

Key Insights

  • The portion of respondents who report that “the worst of the crisis is behind us” rose sharply in Wave 14, to the highest point recorded since data collection began in April 2020.
  • Reported adherence to many recommended protective behaviours remain high - the majority of respondents are reporting they continue to frequently wash their hands, physical distance, and wear a mask. Analysis from Wave 14 found that the perception that COVID-19 is overblown was the strongest predictor of non-adherence to public health behaviours.
  • In Wave 14, 87% of respondents had received at least one dose of a vaccine. Analysis from Wave 14 data suggests that the strongest predictor of vaccine uptake is trust in government sources of information and ability to identify misinformation.
  • In Wave 14, trust in government information sources about COVID-19 (e.g., federal public health leaders, daily press conferences) and Susceptibility to rebounded slightly have a decrease in Wave 13.
  • Some respondents continue to indicate skepticism/uncertainty about factual statements about COVID-19 (e.g., statements claiming asymptomatic spread and ‘long haul’ symptoms of COVID-19 exist). Additionally, respondents are misclassifying some false statements as true or indicating uncertainty. Young respondents – young men especially – appear to be particularly susceptible to misinformation related to COVID-19.
  • In Wave 14, for the first time since data collection began, there were some significant shifts in support for easing border restrictions in the near-to-medium term away from the longer term in previous data collections. In general a majority favour maintaining some controls for at least 1-6 more months or longer and are supportive of measures like pausing flights from certain countries and requiring proof of immunization and testing to be effective risk control measures.
  • Reported life satisfaction and wellbeing indicators improved in Wave 14. However, some respondents continue to report feeling depressed, fatigued, or burnt out. Young respondents in the sample appear to be facing higher rates of wellbeing struggles relative to older cohorts.

Considerations

Data Collected: June 23-29, 2021

Sample Size: 2,025

When interpreting the COSMO results it is useful to keep in mind the context of the data collection period, which may have influenced the responses of survey participants. During the Wave 14 data collection period:

COVID-19 cases in Canada were declining sharply and provinces/territories were easing restrictions.

  • The Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca, and Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccines had been approved for use in Canada. As of June 23, approximately 66.2% of the Canadian population had received one dose of a vaccine (or 76.1% of the Canadian population aged 12+). 20.5% of the Canadian population was fully vaccinated (or 23.5% of the population aged 12+).
  • Media coverage continued to focus heavily on the new, more contagious COVID-19 variants – the surge of Delta variant cases in the UK despite relatively high vaccination coverage featured prominently in news coverage.
  • Prior to the data collection period, the federal government extended the ban on all commercial and private flights from India – highlighting the continued risk of imported COVID-19 cases. In early June, the Government announced that fully-vaccinated Canadians would be able to travel outside of the country without having to self-isolate for 14 days or having to stay in a quarantine hotel upon arrival.

The data was weighted to ensure that the sample distribution reflects the actual Canadian adult population according to Statistics Canada census data. There is no associated margin of error for the results, since a non-probability design means that results cannot be projected to the larger population.


Pandemic Outlook

The portion of respondents who reported “the worst of the crisis is behind us” sharply increased in Wave 14, to the highest point since data collection began in April 2020.

Figure 1. Do you think the worst of the crisis is behind us, we are currently experiencing the worst of the crisis, or the worst of the crisis is yet to come?

 
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    Table 1. Do you think the worst of the crisis is behind us, we are currently experiencing the worst of the crisis, or the worst of the crisis is yet to come?

     

Figure 2. When do you expect that day-to-day life in Canada will resemble pre-pandemic times?

 
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    Table 2. When do you expect that day-to-day life in Canada will resemble pre-pandemic times?

     

Figure 3. COVID-19 feels…

 
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    Table 3. COVID-19 feels…

     

Figure 4. COVID-19 feels…

 
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    Table 4. COVID-19 feels…

     

Figure 5. I’m worried about the idea of transmitting COVID-19 to people around me. / I’m worried about the spread of COVID-19 variants such as those that have originated in the UK, South Africa, Brazil and India.

 
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    Table 5. I’m worried about the idea of transmitting COVID-19 to people around me. / I’m worried about the spread of COVID-19 variants such as those that have originated in the UK, South Africa, Brazil and India.

     

Figure 6. The idea of returning to life that resembles pre-pandemic times makes me feel…

 
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    Table 6. The idea of returning to life that resembles pre-pandemic times makes me feel…

     

Figure 7. The idea of returning to life that resembles pre-pandemic times makes me feel…

 
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    Table 7. The idea of returning to life that resembles pre-pandemic times makes me feel…

     

Figure 8. I am confident that by 2022 I will be able to travel and socialize like I did before the COVID-19 pandemic started.

 
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    Table 8. I am confident that by 2022 I will be able to travel and socialize like I did before the COVID-19 pandemic started.

     

Figure 9. Within the next year, how likely do you think it will be that you would...

 
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    Table 9. Within the next year, how likely do you think it will be that you would...

     

Figure 10. Within the next year, how likely do you think it will be that you would...

 
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    Table 10. Within the next year, how likely do you think it will be that you would...

     

Figure 11. Where do you think you will likely fly within the next year?

 
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    Table 11. Where do you think you will likely fly within the next year?

     

Figure 12. When is the earliest that you expect to fly?

 
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    Table 12. When is the earliest that you expect to fly?

     

Figure 13. When is the earliest that you expect to fly?

 
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    Table 13. When is the earliest that you expect to fly?

     

Figure 14. To limit the risk of bringing new cases of the virus into the country, some requirements are in place or have been discussed for people entering Canada. To what extent do you think the following requirements would be effective in reducing this risk among international travellers entering Canada?

 
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    Table 14. To limit the risk of bringing new cases of the virus into the country, some requirements are in place or have been discussed for people entering Canada. To what extent do you think the following requirements would be effective in reducing this risk among international travellers entering Canada?

     

Figure 15. As you may know, measures are currently in place to limit non-essential travel into/out of Canada. These travel restrictions should be eased primarily:

 
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    Table 15. As you may know, measures are currently in place to limit non-essential travel into/out of Canada. These travel restrictions should be eased primarily:

     

Latest Behaviours

Figure 16. For me, avoiding getting sick with COVID-19 in the current situation is... easy (6 or 7 out of 7).

 
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    Table 16. For me, avoiding getting sick with COVID-19 in the current situation is... easy (6 or 7 out of 7).

     

Figure 17. How often have you used the following measures to keep from getting sick with COVID-19?

 
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    Table 17. How often have you used the following measures to keep from getting sick with COVID-19?

     

Figure 18. How often have you used the following measures to keep from getting sick with COVID-19?

 
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    Table 18. How often have you used the following measures to keep from getting sick with COVID-19?

     

Figure 19. In the past two weeks, have you……

 
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    Table 19. In the past two weeks, have you……

     

Figure 20. To what extent are you getting tired of performing each of the following measures recommended by public health officials to avoid getting/spreading COVID-19?

 
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    Table 20. To what extent are you getting tired of performing each of the following measures recommended by public health officials to avoid getting/spreading COVID-19?

     

Vaccination Status and Intentions

Figure 21. Have you received a COVID-19 vaccine (either one dose or both)?

 
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    Table 21. Have you received a COVID-19 vaccine (either one dose or both)?

     

Figure 22. Which COVID-19 vaccine have you received (proportion among those who have received a vaccine; n=1,795)?

 
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    Table 22. Which COVID-19 vaccine have you received (proportion among those who have received a vaccine; n=1,795)?

     

Figure 23. Please indicate the extent to which you agree with the following statements (among those who have received a vaccine; n=1,795).

 
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    Table 23. Please indicate the extent to which you agree with the following statements (among those who have received a vaccine; n=1,795).

     

Figure 24. Please indicate the extent to which you agree with the following statements (among those who have received a vaccine).

 
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    Table 24. Please indicate the extent to which you agree with the following statements (among those who have received a vaccine).

     

Figure 25. How likely are you to get the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine (among those who have received their first vaccine; n=996)?

 
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    Table 25. How likely are you to get the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine (among those who have received their first vaccine; n=996)?

     

Figure 26. There has been a lot of changing guidance about the AstraZeneca vaccine. As a recipient of at least one dose of AstraZeneca please indicate the extent to which you agree with the following statements (Those who have received at least one dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine; n=114).

 
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    Table 26. There has been a lot of changing guidance about the AstraZeneca vaccine. As a recipient of at least one dose of AstraZeneca please indicate the extent to which you agree with the following statements (Those who have received at least one dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine; n=114).

     

Figure 27. What were your top/main reasons for getting a COVID-19 vaccine? Please select up to 3 reasons after reading all the options (among those who have received a vaccine; n=1,795).

 
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    Table 27. What were your top/main reasons for getting a COVID-19 vaccine? Please select up to 3 reasons after reading all the options (among those who have received a vaccine; n=1,795).

     

Figure 28. Have you already booked a COVID-19 vaccine appointment (among those who have NOT yet received a COVID-19 vaccine; n=230)?

 
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    Table 28. Have you already booked a COVID-19 vaccine appointment (among those who have NOT yet received a COVID-19 vaccine; n=230)?

     

Figure 29. Do you have a preference for which COVID-19 vaccine you want to receive among the four vaccines that have currently been approved (among those who have not yet received a vaccine; n=230)?

 
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    Table 29. Do you have a preference for which COVID-19 vaccine you want to receive among the four vaccines that have currently been approved (among those who have not yet received a vaccine; n=230)?

     

Figure 30. If the following vaccine was recommended for me and offered to me, I would be willing to receive it (among those who have not yet received a vaccine and those who have a vaccine preference or are unsure; n=145)?

 
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    Table 30. If the following vaccine was recommended for me and offered to me, I would be willing to receive it (among those who have not yet received a vaccine and those who have a vaccine preference or are unsure; n=145)?

     

Trusted and Used Sources and Messengers

Figure 31. How would you rate your level of knowledge on COVID-19?

 
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    Table 31. How would you rate your level of knowledge on COVID-19?

     

Figure 32. How would you rate your ability to accurately identify false information (“fake news”) in the media related to COVID-19?

 
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    Table 32. How would you rate your ability to accurately identify false information (“fake news”) in the media related to COVID-19?

     

Figure 33. How much do you trust the following sources of information in their reporting about COVID-19?

 
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    Table 33. How much do you trust the following sources of information in their reporting about COVID-19?

     

Figure 34. How much do you trust the following sources of information in their reporting about COVID-19?

 
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    Table 34. How much do you trust the following sources of information in their reporting about COVID-19?

     

Figure 35. How often do you use the following sources of information to stay informed about COVID-19?

 
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    Table 35. How often do you use the following sources of information to stay informed about COVID-19?

     

Figure 36. How often do you use the following sources of information to stay informed about COVID-19?

Figure shows portions that responded Often (6-7 out of 7)

 
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    Table 36. How often do you use the following sources of information to stay informed about COVID-19?

     

Figure 37. Below is a list of institutions. For each one, please indicate how much you trust that institution to do what is right.

 
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    Table 37. Below is a list of institutions. For each one, please indicate how much you trust that institution to do what is right.

     

Mental Health

Figure 38. How do you feel about your life as a whole right now?

 
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    Table 38. How do you feel about your life as a whole right now?

     

Figure 39. Crises often involve fears and worries. At the moment, how much do you worry about…

 
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    Table 39. Crises often involve fears and worries. At the moment, how much do you worry about…

     

Figure 40. Crises often involve fears and worries. At the moment, how much do you worry about…

 
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    Table 40. Crises often involve fears and worries. At the moment, how much do you worry about…

     

Figure 41. In the past two weeks, how often have you…..

 
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    Table 41. In the past two weeks, how often have you…..

     

Figure 42. In the past two weeks, how often have you…..

Occasionally, most or all of the time (%)

 
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    Table 42. In the past two weeks, how often have you…..

     

Next steps

The Impact Canada Behavioural Science team will use a series of statistical analyses to look for patterns in the data, allowing us to answer questions like:

  • How do intentions to vaccinate change over time?
  • How do changes in trust in government information sources affect changes in intentions to vaccinate over time?
  • How do individual-level characteristics (e.g., gender, baseline knowledge or anxiety, infection status) affect changes in intentions to vaccinate over time?
  • How do interactions between gender and trust in government information sources affect changes in intentions to vaccinate over time?

Contact us

To learn more or explore working with us, please contact the Impact and Innovation Unit of the Privy Council Office.

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