Public perception of the appropriateness of COVID-19 management strategies and level of disturbances in daily activities: A focus on educational level

BACKGROUND: This study investigated the association between public perception of the appropriateness of management strategies implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic and the level of disturbances in daily activities reported by the general population. METHODS: This cross-sectional study used Korea Community Health Survey conducted from August to November 2020. Public perception of COVID-19 management strategies included those implemented by the government (central, city or provincial, and administrative districts), the mass media, regional medical institutions, and neighbors. The subjective level of disturbances in daily activities was measured using a 0–100 numeric rating scale developed by Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. Multivariable linear regression analysis was used. A subgroup analysis was conducted based on education level. RESULTS: The present study analyzed 211,353 participants. Compared to individuals who perceived that the management strategies implemented during the pandemic was ‘highly appropriate,’ those who reported ‘mediocre appropriateness’ (β: -1.96, p-value: <0.001) or ‘low appropriateness’ (β: -3.60, p-value: 0.010) reported higher levels of subjective disturbances. The appropriateness of measures implemented by the mass media was associated with levels of subjective disturbances felt by individuals of lower education with statistical significance, whereas that applied by the mass media and the government were important in those with higher education. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest the importance of public perception of management strategies when implementing containment policies and minimizing its disturbances on daily lives is essential.