Does political stringency change students’ adherence to governmental recommendations? : Gabriele Berg-Beckhoff

Introduction Knowing predictors for adherence to governmental recommendations is fundamental to guiding health communication in pandemic situations. This study investigated whether political stringency was associated with students’ adherence to the COVID-19 governmental measures in the Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Norway, Iceland, and Sweden) and the United Kingdom (UK). Methods We used data from a cross-sectional online survey, from university students in all Nordic countries and the UK (N = 10.345), in May 2020. Data on socio-demography, study information, living arrangements, health behaviors, stress, knowledge, and concern about COVID-19 infection supplemented with measures on political stringency from the Oxford Covid-19 Government Response Tracker were utilised. Multiple linear regression analysis methods were applied. Results Around 66% reported that they followed governmental measures. Our model explained only 10% of the variation of adherence. The main predictors for adherence were older age, female sex, and being worried about the COVID-19 infection. More days since lockdown and political stringency were also associated with adherence to governmental recommendations in all countries. Sweden had the lowest willingness to adhere to governmental recommendations even though the strength of the association between political stringency and adherence was similar to other countries. Conclusions Political stringency and congruent communication are important in ensuring adherence to governmental recommendations during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Key messages • Political stringency is important to ensure adherence to governmental recommendations. • Congruent communication is important to ensure adherence to governmental recommendations.

Political stringency, infection rates, and higher education students' adherence to government measures in the Nordic countries and the UK during the first wave of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Understanding predictors of adherence to governmental measures to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 is fundamental to guide health communication. This study examined whether political stringency and infection rates during the first wave of the pandemic were associated with higher education students' adherence to COVID-19 government measures in the Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Norway, Iceland, and Sweden) and the United Kingdom. Both individual- and country-level data were used in present study. An international cross-sectional subsample (n = 10,345) of higher-education students was conducted in May-June 2020 to collect individual-level information on socio-demographics, study information, living arrangements, health behaviors, stress, and COVID-19-related concerns, including adherence to government measures. Country-level data on political stringency from the Oxford COVID-19 Government Response Tracker and national infection rates were added to individual-level data. Multiple linear regression analyses stratified by country were conducted. Around 66% of students reported adhering to government measures, with the highest adherence in the UK (73%) followed by Iceland (72%), Denmark (69%), Norway (67%), Finland (64%) and Sweden (49%). Main predictors for higher adherence were older age, being female and being worried about getting infected with COVID-19 (individual-level), an increase in number of days since lockdown, political stringency, and information about COVID-19 mortality rates (country-level). However, incidence rate was an inconsistent predictor, which may be explained by imperfect data quality during the onset of the pandemic. We conclude that shorter lockdown periods and political stringency are associated with adherence to government measures among higher education students at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Migrant Students' Sense of Belonging and the Covid-19 Pandemic: Implications for Educational Inclusion

This article investigates school belonging among migrant students and how this changed during the Covid-19 pandemic. Drawing on quantitative data gathered from 751 migrant students in secondary schools in six European countries (Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden, and the UK), we examined the impact of Covid-19 school closures, social support, and post-traumatic stress symptoms on changes in school belonging. Linear regression showed a non-significant decrease in school belonging, and none of the studied variables had a significant effect on this change in our whole sample. However, sensitivity analysis on a subsample from three countries (Denmark, Finland, and the UK) showed a small but significant negative effect of increasing post-traumatic stress symptoms on school belonging during Covid-19 school closures. Given that scholarship on school belonging during Covid-19 is emergent, this study delineates some key areas for future research on the relationship between wellbeing, school belonging, and inclusion.

Effective contact tracing and the role of apps: lessons from Europe. (Special Issue: COVID-19 health system response.)

Contact tracing is an essential tool to support the transition back to normal life during the COVID-19 pandemic. This article explores how 31 countries operate contact tracing, using data extracted from the COVID-19 Health Systems Response Monitor (HSRM). Two main approaches emerge: centralised (led by one national agency) and decentralised (at regional/district level). In most cases, trained staff conduct phone interviews, and many countries have moved to strengthen the capacity of tracing teams. Further, contact tracing apps are being developed and implemented, although some difficulties related to privacy concerns have arisen, necessitating more transparency on how data are collected.