Data collection instrument in Brazilian Portuguese
The project "Social Thermometer - COVID-19 in Brazil" was established between the National School of Public Health of Nova de Lisboa University (ENSP-UNL), the Nursing School of Ribeirão Preto of the University of São Paulo (EERP-USP), and the National School of Public Health of Fiocruz (ENSP-FIOCRUZ). Due to cultural adaptations and methods used since the beginning of the research in Brazil, the project took on transnational characteristics, with the participation of researchers from different institutions in the country and abroad, in addition to those previously described. Among its objectives, it aims to analyze the factors associated with risk perception, risk behavior patterns, and adherence to protective measures that influence the fight against COVID-19 in Brazil. Thus, our proposal consists of three phases.
The first phase is based on the development of an online survey through a validated instrument that aims to understand risk perception and behavior, and its determinants. The second phase will involve complementation with secondary data obtained from major information systems. And the third phase, anchored in implementation science, aims to produce evidence for public policies and the Unified Health System (SUS).
For the first phase, individuals residing in Brazil, over 18 years old, are being enlisted through access to a link available on the internet and hosted on REDCap. Furthermore, in this phase, vulnerable populations have been recruited through field research, considering people experiencing homelessness, residents in slums/communities, and settlements. For the approach to the population in situations of social vulnerability, interviews with field interviewers are being used, given the difficulty of these populations in responding to the questionnaire online.
In the second phase, indicators of collective risk behavior of the population will be raised, expressed by social distancing and movement, and adherence to collective protection measures, translated by vaccine coverage, and further analysis of their consequences, according to morbidity-mortality indicators in the general population and population in situations of social vulnerability. Additionally, identification of territories at risk of social vulnerability, and also the burden of COVID-19.
For the third phase, there will be consultation with different stakeholders aiming to broaden the understanding of the research results and its recommendation for the translation of the study into public policy. In the processing of empirical material, descriptive statistics, inferential tests, and modeling will be used. For phase 3, the technical application of Delphi and nominal group technique is planned. It is expected that the results will contribute to advancing public policies and impacting the Brazilian population.
