Wave 1

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

This report focuses on the results for the second wave of this research. 2,023 Canadians aged 18 and older were surveyed between April 11 and 15, 2020. 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

Most Canadians currently feel that the COVID-19 pandemic will get worse. Findings can be used as an early signal for how long Canadians expect pandemic response to last [see chart].

Concerns

On average, Canadians feel confident about their knowledge related to preventing the spread of COVID-19. However, Canadians are not as confident when it comes to their knowledge related to COVID-19 in general [see chart].

Canadians recognize the seriousness of COVID-19 and the importance of working together to overcome the pandemic. The majority of Canadians are worried about COVID-19, with many feeling negatively impacted by the virus (e.g. stress, pervasive thoughts, helplessness relating to COVID-19). Currently, Canadians are interested in information relating to treatments, symptoms, and methods to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Changes over time will inform what information should be disseminated through government channels [see chart].

Knowledge

Canadians are fairly knowledgeable about which groups are at risk for severe outcomes due to COVID-19, but there is greater variability in perceptions of pregnant woman, infants, and small children [see chart].

Vaccine Hesitancy

Currently, only 70% of Canadians indicated that they would get an effective or safe COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available. Further work is needed to improve the potential uptake of a vaccine ahead of its availability [see chart].


Selected Figures

A number of selected figures are presented below. For more information on the data set, please contact the Impact and Innovation Unit.

Figure A1. 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 A1. 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 A5. How would you rate your level of knowledge on COVID-19?

 
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    Table A5. How would you rate your level of knowledge on COVID-19?

     

Figure A6. How would you rate your level of knowledge on how to prevent the spread of COVID-19?

 
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    Table A6. How would you rate your level of knowledge on how to prevent the spread of COVID-19?

     

Figure A7. Which groups are at risk for severe outcomes related to COVID-19?

 
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    Table A7. Which groups are at risk for severe outcomes related to COVID-19?

     

Figure A8. Which of the following can be symptoms of COVID-19?

 
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    Table A8. Which of the following can be symptoms of COVID-19?

     

Figure A9. Which of the following statements about COVID-19 are true?

 
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    Table A9. Which of the following statements about COVID-19 are true?

     

Figure A10. Which of the following statements is likely true about the spread of COVID-19?

 
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    Table A10. Which of the following statements is likely true about the spread of COVID-19?

     

Figure A11. Which of the following statements about COVID-19 are true about the spread of COVID-19?

 
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    Table A11. Which of the following statements about COVID-19 are true about the spread of COVID-19?

     

Figure A13. Which of the following statements about the recovery from COVID-19 is true?

 
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    Table A3. Which of the following statements about the recovery from COVID-19 is true?

     

Figure A14. Which of the following statements about COVID-19 are true?

 
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    Table A14. Which of the following statements about COVID-19 are true?

     

Figure B3. Statements about following recommendations from authorities about preventing the spread of COVID-19.

 
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    Table B3. Statements about following recommendations from authorities about preventing the spread of COVID-19.

     

Figure B7. Which of the following work to prevent the spread of COVID-19? How often have you used the following measures to keep from getting sick with COVID-19?

 
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    Table B7. Which of the following work to prevent the spread of COVID-19? How often have you used the following measures to keep from getting sick with COVID-19?

     

Figure B8. Please indicate how much you disagree or agree with the following statements.

 
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    Table B8. Please indicate how much you disagree or agree with the following statements.

     

Figure B9. COVID-19 feels…

 
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    Table B9. COVID-19 feels…

     

Figure C1. How much do you trust the following sources of information in their reporting about COVID-19?

 
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    Table C1. How much do you trust the following sources of information in their reporting about COVID-19?

     

Figure C3. The type of information I need the most is…

 
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    Table C3. The type of information I need the most is…

     

Figure C4. How often do you seek information about COVID-19?

 
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    Table C4. How often do you seek information about COVID-19?

     

Figure D1. How much confidence do you have in the individuals and organizations below that they can handle COVID-19 well?

 
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    Table D1. How much confidence do you have in the individuals and organizations below that they can handle COVID-19 well?

     

Figure E1. Please give your opinion on the following statements (level of agreement).

 
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    Table E1. Please give your opinion on the following statements (level of agreement).

     

Figure E3. Have you implemented or plan to implement the following in order to prepare for COVID-19.

 
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    Table E3. Have you implemented or plan to implement the following in order to prepare for COVID-19.

     

Figure E4. Crises often involve fears and worries. At the moment, how much do you worry about…

 
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    Table E4. Crises often involve fears and worries. At the moment, how much do you worry about…

     

Respondent Regional Profiles

Age

  Canada (n=2,023) BC/Yukon (n=284) Alberta (n=268) Man/Sask (n=236) Ontario (n=622) Quebec (n=407) Atlantic (n=206)
18-34 years 27% 27% 32% 30% 28% 26% 23%
35-54 years 34% 33% 36% 33% 34% 33% 33%
55 years and older 39% 40% 32% 37% 38% 41% 44%

Gender

  Canada (n=2,023) BC/Yukon (n=284) Alberta (n=268) Man/Sask (n=236) Ontario (n=622) Quebec (n=407) Atlantic (n=206)
Male 48% 48% 49% 48% 48% 48% 47%
Female 51% 52% 50% 51% 52% 51% 52%
Gender diverse 0% 0% 1% 1% 0% 0% 1%

Education

  Canada (n=2,023) BC/Yukon (n=284) Alberta (n=268) Man/Sask (n=236) Ontario (n=622) Quebec (n=407) Atlantic (n=206)
High school or less 24% 22% 24% 33% 22% 25% 29%
College/trades 49% 48% 46% 45% 48% 51% 54%
University / post-graduate 27% 30% 30% 21% 30% 25% 18%

Size of Community

  Canada (n=2,023) BC/Yukon (n=284) Alberta (n=268) Man/Sask (n=236) Ontario (n=622) Quebec (n=407) Atlantic (n=206)
Major metropolitan area (1M+) 30% 23% 53% 12% 35% 26% 3%
Large urban centre (100K+) 30% 32% 13% 42% 33% 29% 23%
Medium population centre (30K to 99K) 17% 25% 13% 9% 15% 20% 16%
Small population centre (1K to 29K) 18% 16% 14% 22% 13% 23% 34%
Rural area (<1K) 6% 3% 6% 15% 4% 3% 24%

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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