Public Perceptions and Attitudes Toward COVID-19 Nonpharmaceutical Interventions Across Six Countries: A Topic Modeling Analysis of Twitter Data

Abstract

Background Nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) (such as wearing masks and social distancing) have been implemented by governments around the world to slow the spread of COVID-19. To promote public adherence to these regimes, governments need to understand the public perceptions and attitudes toward NPI regimes and the factors that influence them. Twitter data offer a means to capture these insights. Objective The objective of this study is to identify tweets about COVID-19 NPIs in six countries and compare the trends in public perceptions and attitudes toward NPIs across these countries. The aim is to identify factors that influenced public perceptions and attitudes about NPI regimes during the early phases of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods We analyzed 777,869 English language tweets about COVID-19 NPIs in six countries (Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Ireland, the United Kingdom, and the United States). The relationship between tweet frequencies and case numbers was assessed using a Pearson correlation analysis. Topic modeling was used to isolate tweets about NPIs. A comparative analysis of NPIs between countries was conducted. Results The proportion of NPI-related topics, relative to all topics, varied between countries. The New Zealand data set displayed the greatest attention to NPIs, and the US data set showed the lowest. The relationship between tweet frequencies and case numbers was statistically significant only for Australia ( r =0.837, P <.001) and New Zealand ( r =0.747, P <.001). Topic modeling produced 131 topics related to one of 22 NPIs, grouped into seven NPI categories: Personal Protection (n=15), Social Distancing (n=9), Testing and Tracing (n=10), Gathering Restrictions (n=18), Lockdown (n=42), Travel Restrictions (n=14), and Workplace Closures (n=23). While less restrictive NPIs gained widespread support, more restrictive NPIs were perceived differently across countries. Four characteristics of these regimes were seen to influence public adherence to NPIs: timeliness of implementation, NPI campaign strategies, inconsistent information, and enforcement strategies. Conclusions Twitter offers a means to obtain timely feedback about the public response to COVID-19 NPI regimes. Insights gained from this analysis can support government decision making, implementation, and communication strategies about NPI regimes, as well as encourage further discussion about the management of NPI programs for global health events, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

Predictors of attitudes and adherence to COVID-19 public health guidelines in Western countries: a rapid review of the emerging literature

“… 32 Further, seven papers reported international samples. 23 , 33–38 With the exception of one study that only reported 777 869 Twitter ‘tweets’, 37 the mean number of participants in each study was 5293 (standard deviation = 9105), with median number of 1625 participants (range = 482–37 077). Most studies used cross-sectional survey designs ( k = 22), whereas other design types included longitudinal surveys ( k = 3), 14 , 23 , 38 quasi-experimental ( k = 1), 17 experimental designs ( k = 2) 21 , 32 and media analysis ( k = 1).…”

“…Most studies used cross-sectional survey designs ( k = 22), whereas other design types included longitudinal surveys ( k = 3), 14 , 23 , 38 quasi-experimental ( k = 1), 17 experimental designs ( k = 2) 21 , 32 and media analysis ( k = 1). 37 Convenience sampling methods were used in almost all included studies ( k = 14 convenience samples and k = 13 stratified convenience samples), with the exception of two studies that relied on random sampling 14 and quota sampling 34 methods. About one-third of the included studies ( k = 11) were preprints 10 , 12 , 13 , 15 , 21 , 23 , 28 , 32 , 33 , 36 , 38 and one study was a report by an organization (i.e.…”

“…Outcomes were typically measured with self-report items, with the exception of two studies using mobility data, 19 , 38 and one study examining tweets. 37 …”

Knowledge, Perceived Beliefs, and Preventive Behaviors Related to COVID-19 Among Chinese Older Adults: Cross-Sectional Web-Based Survey

“…In addition to efforts from all sectors of society, high adherence to the lifestyle modifications suggested by the government and public health organizations greatly delayed the spread of the disease [ 47 ]. In our findings, 64.6%-86.6% of respondents reported practicing five major preventive behaviors more frequently in the preceding week.…”

COVID-19 and Scientific Research Interests and Findings in Epidemiology and Social Sciences: A Systematic Review

“…preventive measures, such as lockdown, closure of non-essential establishments and businesses were successfully respected, in other countries these measures were not or partially accepted (Doogan et al, 2020). Other papers have shown several negative psychological eects of social isolation of COVID-19 patients, such as high levels of anxiety, stress, or even the presence of depressive symptoms that can persist after the pandemic (Antunes et al, 2020;Duan et al, 10 2020).…”