Features of Social Behavior and the Awareness of Moscow Residents about COVID-19 at the Beginning of the Pandemic

Abstract

The coronavirus pandemic has raised serious questions about the need to properly inform residents of large cities about the rules of hygiene, behavior in self-isolation, and maintaining health. This study aimed to identify in more detail the sources of information and to assess the levels of awareness and knowledge of the inhabitants of a typical metropolis about coronavirus infection to further search for ways to improve health information during pandemics. This research has a questionnaire survey design. Data from 478 adult Muscovites were collected on 20–25 March 2020 by the Institute of Social Sciences of Sechenov University. The aim of this study was to study the level of awareness in preventing the spread of infection and peculiarities in the perceptions of residents of the city of Moscow toward the large-scale social changes associated with the COVID-19 pandemic as well as their impact on the way of life, social relations, lifestyle, and ideas about the future of the population. This article presents the results of a medical and sociological survey of residents of Moscow implemented at the beginning of the spread of coronavirus infection in the country, which showed the awareness of residents of Moscow regarding the problem of the spread of coronavirus and the prevention of infection as well as a high level of anxiety and the pessimistic expectations of respondents regarding the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic for the state, society, and people. At the same time, the fears of the survey participants involved both immediate risks of the disease and a wide range of socioeconomic problems from near and distant perspectives.