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Awareness, Risk Perception, and Stress during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Communities of Tamil Nadu, India

Author

Listed:
  • Jinyi Kuang

    (Center for Social Norms and Behavioral Dynamics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA)

  • Sania Ashraf

    (Center for Social Norms and Behavioral Dynamics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA)

  • Upasak Das

    (Global Development Institute, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PR, UK)

  • Cristina Bicchieri

    (Center for Social Norms and Behavioral Dynamics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA)

Abstract

The health and economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic is expected to disproportionately impact residents of lower-middle income countries. Understanding the psychological impact of the pandemic is important to guide outreach interventions. In this study, we examined people’s awareness of COVID-19 symptoms, risk perception, and changes in behaviors and stress levels during the lockdown in peri-urban Tamil Nadu India. Field workers conducted phone call surveys (included n = 2044) in 26 communities from 20–25 May 2020. The majority perceived no (60%) or low (23%) level of risk of personally contracting coronavirus. Common fears were related to health and economic concerns, including loss of income (62%), inability to travel freely (46%), and becoming sick (46%). Residents were well aware of the common symptoms of COVID-19, such as fever (66%) and dry cough (57%), but not the asymptomatic transmission (24%). The majority experienced increased stress about finance (79%) and the lockdown (51%). Our findings emphasize the need to develop context-adequate education and communication programs to raise vigilance about asymptomatic transmission and to sustain preventative behaviors. The evidence on fear and changes in stress levels could inform designing coping strategies and programs focused on mental well-being.

Suggested Citation

  • Jinyi Kuang & Sania Ashraf & Upasak Das & Cristina Bicchieri, 2020. "Awareness, Risk Perception, and Stress during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Communities of Tamil Nadu, India," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(19), pages 1-11, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:19:p:7177-:d:422036
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Jay J. Van Bavel & Katherine Baicker & Paulo S. Boggio & Valerio Capraro & Aleksandra Cichocka & Mina Cikara & Molly J. Crockett & Alia J. Crum & Karen M. Douglas & James N. Druckman & John Drury & Oe, 2020. "Using social and behavioural science to support COVID-19 pandemic response," Nature Human Behaviour, Nature, vol. 4(5), pages 460-471, May.
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    4. Sijia Li & Yilin Wang & Jia Xue & Nan Zhao & Tingshao Zhu, 2020. "The Impact of COVID-19 Epidemic Declaration on Psychological Consequences: A Study on Active Weibo Users," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(6), pages 1-9, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Dicky C. Pelupessy & Yasuhito Jibiki & Daisuke Sasaki, 2022. "Exploring People’s Perception of COVID-19 Risk: A Case Study of Greater Jakarta, Indonesia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-14, December.
    2. Hua Guo & Yang Zhang & Yanling Peng & Tong Luo & Hong Wang, 2022. "Does COVID-19 Affect Household Financial Behaviors? Fresh Evidence From China," SAGE Open, , vol. 12(3), pages 21582440221, August.
    3. Dana Alonzo & Marciana Popescu, 2022. "A qualitative examination of the mental health impact of Covid-19 in marginalized communities in Guatemala: The Covid Care Calls survey," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 68(7), pages 1435-1444, November.

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