Perceptions and Attitudes Toward COVID-19-Related National Response Measures of Vietnamese: Implications for Pandemic Prevention and Control

• Main Authors: Thao Thi Phuong Nguyen, Long Hoang Nguyen, Huong Thi Le, Giang Thu Vu, Men Thi Hoang, Diep Ngoc Nguyen, Xuan Thi Thanh Le, Bach Xuan Tran, Thao Thanh Nguyen, Quan Thi Pham, Nhung Thi Kim Ta, Quynh Thi Nguyen, Carl A. Latkin, Roger C. M. Ho, Cyrus S. H. Ho
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2020-10-01
• Series: Frontiers in Public Health
• Subjects: COVID-19; attitudes; perceptions; lockdown; Vietnam
• Online Access: https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fpubh.2020.589053/full

Introduction: Public perceptions and attitudes toward preventive and control measures are vital to ensure the success of national response strategies in combating COVID-19. This study assessed perceptions and attitudes via the importance of national response measures to COVID-19 among people under the nationwide partial lockdown of Vietnam.Methods: An online cross-sectional survey was conducted on 1382 people in Vietnam mainly public administration and health workers with relatives. Perceptions and attitudes toward seven national response measures to COVID-19 epidemics were assessed. Multivariable Tobit regression models were employed to identify factors associated with the perceptions.Results: The proportion of participants strongly agreeing with the measure “Isolate people from abroad and people in contact with people infected with COVID 19” was the highest (96.9%), following by the measure “Obligatory to wear face masks in public places” (96.8%), and “Blockade of places having new cases” (92.9%). Living in the Southern region, having a family with more than 5 people, and having post-graduate education were negatively correlated to the levels of perceived importance of “Social distancing and community screening” measures. Meanwhile, having post-graduate education (Coef. = −0.04; 95%CI: −0.07; −0.01), working as white-collar workers (Coef. = −0.04; 95%CI: −0.08; −0.01), and having fixed-term, full-time employment (Coef. = −0.07; 95%CI: −0.10; −0.03) were inversely associated with the levels of perceived importance of the “Mandatory quarantine and personal protective equipment” measures.Conclusion: This study informed highly positive perceptions and attitudes toward the national response measure to combat the COVID-19 in Vietnam. Contextualized strategies to maintain and improve these perceptions are warranted to ensure the success of preventive measures in the future.