AUTHOR=Rodríguez-Blázquez Carmen , Romay-Barja María , Falcón María , Ayala Alba , Forjaz Maria João 

TITLE=The COSMO-Spain Survey: Three First Rounds of the WHO Behavioral Insights Tool

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Public Health

VOLUME=9

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2021.678926

DOI=10.3389/fpubh.2021.678926

ISSN=2296-2565

ABSTRACT=<p><bold>Objective:</bold> To describe changes in knowledge, attitudes and preventive practices (KAP), risk perception, and psychological variables of Spanish population toward the COVID-19 pandemic from July to November 2020.</p><p><bold>Methods:</bold> Three samples, each of one composed by 1,000+ persons aged 18 years or older, were interviewed online in three rounds, every 2 months, from July to November 2020.</p><p><bold>Results:</bold> The level of knowledge on COVID-19 was high in the three rounds, with percentages above 95% of correct answers related to ways of contagion and correct use of face masks. The most accepted measure was the mandatory use of face masks (80–86% of agreement in the three rounds, <italic>p</italic> = 0.001), followed by the night curfew (63% of agreement). Most participants (&gt;80%) consistently reported using face masks, ventilating spaces, and washing or disinfecting hands. However, risk perception and self-efficacy were low. Worry about losing a loved one, the health system overload and people who do not wear face masks was high (&gt;85% of the samples). The percentage of respondents who felt depressed due to COVID-19 increased from round 1 to round 3 (<italic>p</italic> = 0.044).</p><p><bold>Conclusions:</bold> Spanish population has a high degree of KAP, but a relatively low risk perception and self-efficacy. These findings can help health authorities to guide containment measures and campaigns addressed to improve preventive practices.</p>