Perceptions of seasonal ARVI after the pandemic have changed. Russians are extremely afraid that they can infect other people; preventive measures are largely limited to observing hygiene practices and social distancing.
MOSCOW, September 23, 2020 Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the findings of the “BOIRON Indicator: Russians’ readiness for preventive measures in seasonal epidemic” study.
STATE OF HEALTH
Most of Russians say that they take certain measures to protect health (84%). They quit bad habits such as smoking (55%), alcohol (49%) and see the doctors in a timely manner (46%) as preventive measures. Women are more likely to take care of their health than men (88% vs 80% respectively).
Over the recent six months 17% of Russians have been ill or say they are ill. The younger the respondents are, the more likely they report so (27% of the 18-24-year-olds; 20% of the 35-44-year-olds and 10% of those who are older). Generally speaking, more than half of respondents say they never get sick or they get sick less than once a year (55%). Those who say so are mainly men (64%) and respondents aged 45 and older (58-59%). Thirty-nine percent of Russians say they get sick once or twice in a year.
PREVENTION OF ACUTE RESPIRATORY VIRAL INFECTIONS
Awareness of the measures preventing ARVI is higher among women (87% vs 77% men), respondents aged over 34 (82-85%), as well as those respondents who get sick more than once a year (88%).
The most popular ways to prevent respiratory infections are vaccination (26%) and certain hygiene measures such as less social contact and more social distancing (19%), observing hygiene measures (17%) and wearing face masks and gloves (15%). An overwhelming majority of respondents mention measures related to lifestyles and daily rituals: dressing appropriately for the weather (15%), endurance-building (15%), doing sport (14%), keeping a sleep schedule (13%). Folk remedies (garlic, onion, citrus fruits, banya, etc.) are mentioned by 15% of respondents, which even exceeds the popularity of medicines (10%).
As to the most popular measures the respondents used to prevent seasonal infections, they mentioned face masks (16%), vitamins supplements and vaccines (12%, respectively), social distancing and self-isolation (11%), as well as folk remedies (11%) and disinfection (9%).
The main argument for the preventive measures, according to those who have taken certain preventive measures, is a fear to infect people around (70%). This viewpoint is shared by both women and men. Another important argument is to prevent complications (44% of respondents); it is often mentioned by women (51%). Thirty-four percent of respondents would not like to lose their income or have problems at work because of the disease.
The common reasons why Russians avoid preventive measures is the absence of disease or a lack of understanding of why regular preventive measures are important (46%); other reasons are a lack of fear to get sick (4%), lack of time (3%), negative attitudes towards doctors and medicines (2%). Every tenth (9%) says he/she has a good immune system.
PANDEMIC IMPACT
Due to the epidemiological situation the attitudes of most Russians towards preventive measures have changed over the recent six months, according to their own views (68%). These changes are related to strict safety measures introduced in Russia in spring 2020. Use of face masks has become more popular (52%); face mask are equally used by both those who have been sick and those who have not over the recent six months. Social distancing is observed by 38% of respondents regardless of whether they have been ill or not. However, 31% of Russians have not changed their attitudes towards measures preventing acute respiratory infections.
NONSPECIFIC PREVENTION OF ARVI
According to Russians, an optimal remedy for a viral respiratory infection would be a delicate medicine that would boost body's natural defense mechanism (50%) and have natural components (47%). Respondents are less likely to point to the medicine’s effectiveness aiming to reduce the rates of illnesses (43%) and quick protection (effective after the first use) (34%). Every fifth respondent (22%) says that an optimal remedy have to be intended to protect people during autumn and winter; 11% say it is important for medicines to be used globally.
Russian VCIOM-Sputnik survey was conducted on September 14, 2020, and commissioned by Boiron. Results are based on telephone interviews with 1,600 Russians aged 18 and older. A stratified dual-frame random sample based on a complete list of Russian landline and mobile phone number was used. The data were weighted according to selection probability and social and demographic characteristics. The margin of error at a 95% confidence level does not exceed 2.5%. In addition to sampling error, minor changes to the wording of questions and different circumstances arising during the fieldwork can introduce bias into the survey.
Can you say “I take good care of my health”? If so, how is it manifested? Any number of answers (closed-ended question, any number of answers, % of total respondents ) | |||
| Total respondents | Men | Women |
I do not smoke | 55 | 45 | 64 |
I do not drink alcohol | 49 | 37 | 58 |
If I get sick I go to doctors and do what they say | 46 | 39 | 52 |
I get a health check regularly, go through checkups according to my age and profession | 40 | 34 | 46 |
I do sports on a regular basis: at least twice a week | 36 | 29 | 41 |
I eat a healthy diet, pay attention to a balanced diet | 36 | 37 | 35 |
I find time to have a rest, I sleep at least 7 hours a day | 31 | 27 | 34 |
I take vitamins/supplements, 1-2 times a year; I take homeopathic medicines | 22 | 15 | 27 |
I watch TV shows, read books and magazines about healthy lifestyles | 18 | 13 | 21 |
No, it is not about me | 14 | 18 | 11 |
Other | 10 | 10 | 10 |
Don’t know | 2 | 2 | 1 |
Over the recent six months have you had the flu or any other respiratory illness, or not? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents) | ||||||
| Total respondents | Aged 18-24 | 25-34 | 35-44 | 45-59 | 60 and older |
Yes, I have had it/ I have it now | 17 | 27 | 21 | 20 | 17 | 10 |
No, I have not had it | 83 | 73 | 79 | 80 | 83 | 90 |
Don’t know | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
How often do you get the flu or ARVI? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents) | |
| Total respondents |
Almost never (less than once a year) | 55 |
1-2 times a year | 39 |
3-4 times a year | 3 |
5-6 times a year | 1 |
More than 6 times a year | 0 |
Don’t know | 2 |
In your opinion, what measures can help prevent ARVI? Name as many measures as possible (open-ended question, any number of answers, % of total respondents) | |
| Total respondents |
Measures related to hygiene and social distancing | |
Less social contact, distance | 19 |
Hygiene, cleaning, aeration | 17 |
Face masks/gloves | 15 |
Measures related to lifestyles | |
Dress appropriately for the weather, avoid exposure to cold | 15 |
Build endurance, strengthen immunity | 15 |
Sports | 14 |
Set a sleep/rest/walk schedule | 13 |
Live a healthy lifestyle | 13 |
Healthy diet | 10 |
Going to hospitals | |
Vaccines | 26 |
Timely treatment / going to the doctor | 9 |
Take care of health | 6 |
Taking medicine | |
Vitamins | 18 |
Anti-viral medication | 7 |
Different medicines (oxolinic ointment, paracetamol), mouth and nasal wash | 3 |
Folk remedies | |
Folk remedies (garlic, onion, citrus fruits, banya) | 15 |
|
|
There are no ways to avoid ARVI/you cannot protect yourself against viral respiratory infections | 2 |
Other | 5 |
Don’t know | 15 |
Over the recent twelve months have you taken any measures to protect yourself against flu or viral respiratory infections? If so, what exactly did you do? Several answers are possible (open-ended question, not more than 3 answers, % of total respondents) | |
| Total respondents |
I wore a face mask/gloves | 16 |
I took vitamins | 12 |
I got vaccinated | 12 |
Self-isolation, social distancing | 11 |
Folk remedies (honey, citrus fruits, onion, garlic, banya) | 11 |
Hygiene, disinfection | 9 |
Anti-viral medication | 8 |
I did sports | 5 |
I received treatment if I had symptoms / I went to the doctor | 5 |
I was trying to boost endurance | 4 |
I dressed appropriately for the weather | 4 |
Active lifestyle | 4 |
Walking in the fresh air | 3 |
I ate lots of fruits and vegetables | 2 |
I set a regime of sleep and rest, and I tried to lower the stress levels | 2 |
I did not do anything special | 36 |
Other | 5 |
Don’t know | 2 |
In your opinion, why is it important to take measures to protect yourself against flu and viral respiratory infections? (closed-ended question, not more than 3 answers, % of respondents who have taken preventive measures over the recent 12 months) | |||
| % of respondents who have taken preventive measures over the recent 12 months | Men | Women |
Not to infect others | 70 | 69 | 71 |
To avoid complications or acute condition of more serious, chronic decease | 44 | 36 | 51 |
To lead a full life and not to get sick | 36 | 37 | 35 |
To support health and wellness, to strengthen health | 35 | 31 | 37 |
Not to lose income because of the decease | 17 | 21 | 14 |
To avoid problems at work / at school if I get ill | 17 | 17 | 16 |
Other | 3 | 2 | 4 |
Don’t know | 2 | 3 | 2 |
Why have you not taken any preventive measures to protect yourself against flu and viral respiratory infections over the recent 12 months? I will write down your words (open-ended question, % of respondents who have NOT taken preventive measures over the recent 12 months; not more than 7 answers) | |
| Total respondents |
No need / I was not ill | 46 |
Good immune system | 9 |
I am not afraid of getting ill / positive attitude | 5 |
I rarely get sick | 5 |
I did not go anywhere | 4 |
I have not contacted ill people | 3 |
I had not time | 3 |
I never take preventive measures; I do not like doctors/medicines | 2 |
I do not pay attention to my health condition | 2 |
I take certain measures but I do not consider them as preventive (social distancing, vaccines, taking care of my health, sports, vitamins, folk remedies and timely treatment) | 14 |
There are not ways to prevent viral respiratory infections / you cannot avoid them | 1 |
Other | 5 |
Don’t know | 11 |
Have your attitudes towards prevention of viral respiratory infections changed, or not changed, over the last six months? If so, in what activities did it manifest? (closed-ended question, any number of answers, % of total respondents,) | |
| Total respondents |
I started to wear a medical face mask | 52 |
I started to avoid gathering places | 38 |
I started to pay more attention to personal hygiene practices | 37 |
I immediately self-isolate if other people have cold symptoms | 18 |
I am going to receive seasonal vaccines | 18 |
I have gone through or I am going to go through a medical check-up | 15 |
I started to take medicines to protect myself against viral respiratory infections | 12 |
I have not changed my attitude towards the prevention of ARVI | 31 |
Other | 5 |
Don’t know | 1 |
In your opinion, what would be the best remedy against viral respiratory infections? Choose two or three most important characteristics. I am going to read statements and you need to tell me if you consider it important or not. (closed-ended question, up to 3 answers, % of total respondents) | |
| Total respondents |
It must protect you against viral respiratory infections and a flu right after the first use and not after a full course | 34 |
It must be delicate, it should reinforce the body’s natural protection mechanisms | 50 |
It must be effective and considerably reduce the rates of respiratory illness | 43 |
It must contain natural components and have the least chemicals | 47 |
It must protect me during the entire autumn and winter | 22 |
It must be widely used in Europe and the USA, not only in Russia | 11 |
Other | 5 |
Don’t know | 8 |
Note: Using materials from the site www.wciom.ru or wciom.com, as well as distributed by VCIOM, the reference to the source (or hyperlink for the electronic media) is obligatory.