Changes COVID-19 Post-Quarantine Behaviors, Hygiene and Expectations in Colombia: Population Survey from 1st to 13th September, 2020

This study by Profamilia Association focuses on the social response to COVID19 by reporting and analyzing the answers to two surveys carried out between April 16 and 25, and throughout September 2020. The study aims to identify changes in behaviors and immediate expectations after the quarantine was lifted. In general, results show that people have adopted behavioral changes such as wearing face masks, avoiding people with symptoms, and reducing mobility. However, it also shows that people’s concerns have doubled for many reasons, ranging from mental health issues, neglected sexual and reproductive health needs, the burden of care for others, and working from home. Similarly, it was found that some people would accept significant long-term changes such as accepting most children continuing to be homeschooled or employees choosing whether to work or not, targeted quarantines in neighborhoods that show high number of cases; and making the use of face masks mandatory in case a vaccine or treatment for Covid-19 does not become available. This means that during the quarantine and compared to April, many people consider these options to be acceptable in the long term.

The survey was filled out online via SurveyMonkey by 1,735 people in Colombia between 1st and 11th September, 2020. Overall, 17% mentioned that they had participated in the previous survey, Estudio Solidaridad I early stage of quarantine (April 2020). The following is a summary of the main findings based on the comparison of the two surveys in hopes to show evidence for changes in behavior, hygiene, levels of measure compliance, unmet needs, and to show peopleś immediate expectations after six months of strict quarantine.

• The most common concerns among the findings were: a vaccine or treatment for COVID-19 not arriving Colombia soon enough (79%), a vaccine or treatment not being developed soon enough (79%) and also a concern that once the vaccine arrives in Colombia, it will not be accessible (74%). 50% of people think it is likely to get the COVID-19 vaccine once it becomes readily available.

• 62% get information about COVID-19 through social media, 55% through official websites, and 51% through television.

• 43% say that in their neighborhood, community, social group, or town, measures and campaigns have been carried out to prevent the spread of the COVID-19.

• 25% say they would like to support local communities respond to the outbreak.

• 82% agree with most children remaining home-schooled.

• 85% think parents should be able to choose whether or not to send their children to school.

• 95% agree that people should be forced to wear face masks outside the home.

• 90% agree with neighborhoods, districts, or municipalities which experience outbreaks adopting more restrictive measures compared to the country as a whole.

• 86% think employees should choose whether to work in their office or work from home.

• 44% think that people will be able to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in a year or a year and a half.

• 26% think life will return to “normal” in two years or more.