Survey Finds That 77 Percent of People Are Concerned About the Coronavirus Outbreak and 50 Percent Have Changed Hygiene Behaviours

- Increasing hand hygiene and avoiding travel are among actions taken to minimise risk

- Leading hygiene expert Dr Lisa Ackerley calls for continued hygiene awareness and advocates 'destination handwashing' to break the chain of infection

- Health authorities and international experts are the most trusted sources of information

- More fact-based information to debunk myths surrounding the outbreak is needed

SLOUGH, England, Feb. 24, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- A large portion of the population – as much as 50% – say that they have changed one or more behaviours to cope with the threat of COVID-19, including increasing handwashing and sanitising as well as avoiding public places and cutting back on travel. The findings are part of a new multi-national public opinion poll by Harris Interactive and RB, the maker of Dettol and Lysol. 

The survey showed that:

54% handwash more often
44% avoid crowds
41% use hand-sanitiser more often
34% wear masks more often
32% stay home more often
31% avoid travel

The vast majority of people (95%) are aware of the virus outbreak, but the levels of concern about the personal risk from infection differ according to geography.  Globally, 66% of respondents said that are worried for their family and their own safety. The survey revealed that countries closer to the epicentre of the virus outbreak, including India, Malaysia and Thailand and China, expressed the highest levels of concern about contracting the virus (92%, 91%, 86% and 84% respectively).  These countries also report the highest levels of personal actions taken to prevent exposure to infection such as handwashing.

British and German respondents appear to be the least concerned about the virus but many still report modifying their behaviours such as handwashing (35% UK, 40% Germany), using hand sanitisers more often (26% UK, 26% Germany) or wearing masks (6% UK, 5% Germany). Globally, the majority of people believe that good hygiene will protect them, especially in the countries with highest levels of COVID-19 infection.

"This survey shows that while concern about the novel coronavirus is high, it is encouraging to see that people are already adapting their hygiene behaviours such as handwashing," said Dr Lisa Ackerley, a Chartered Environmental Health Practitioner and Hygiene Expert.  "Not only will this help to protect against coronavirus infection, but the simple action of hand hygiene at key moments helps guard against other respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases."