During the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us practised preventive health habits such as using hand sanitisers and staying at home when unwell. This study examined (1) whether Singapore residents currently practise preventive health habits and their reasons for doing so or not and (2) whether they do so out of civic consciousness to protect others or to protect themselves. 300 residents (aged 21 and above) were surveyed via convenience sampling. The survey assessed participants’ self-reported likelihood of undertaking health preventive habits and their expectations of others in undertaking health preventive habits. Statistical tests were used to examine the results against their demographic profiles (e.g., sex, prior COVID-19 infections, whether they live with vulnerable population). Five focus group discussions were conducted and thematically analysed to further explore reasons for their beliefs. Females were more likely to use hand sanitisers and to clean common spaces before use as they still perceived COVID-19 as a ‘threat’ to health. Disturbingly, living with medically vulnerable individuals such as the elderly or children and one’s past COVID-19 infections did not make one practise more preventive health habits. Interestingly, youth participants who were currently undertaking a healthcare degree were not more civic conscious than those who were not undertaking a healthcare degree. This study is limited by its sample size. Elderly residents who could not speak English were excluded. Future phases could include more participants such as children, and to administer the survey in other languages to inform outreach policies targeted at these medically vulnerable groups.

Authors:
Julia Wong, Singapore Institute of Technology, Singapore
Jade Soh, Singapore Institute of Technology, Singapore
Priscilla Koh, Independent Scholar, Singapore
Hua Beng Lim, Singapore Institute of Technology, Singapore

About the Presenter(s)
Dr Julia Wong is a University Assistant Professor/Lecturer at Singapore Institute of Technology in Singapore

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