COVID-SCORE: A global survey to assess public perceptions of government responses to COVID-19 (COVID-SCORE-10)

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0240011
• Publication Date: 2020-10-06T20:03:50Z
• Authors: Jeffrey V. Lazarus; Scott Ratzan; Adam Palayew; Francesco C. Billari; Agnes Binagwaho; Spencer Kimball; Heidi J. Larson; Alessia Melegaro; Kenneth Rabin; Trenton M. White; Ayman El-Mohandes
• Keywords: Pandemic

Background Understanding public perceptions of government responses to COVID-19 may foster improved cooperation. Trust in and population risk exposure influence perception the response. Other population-level characteristics, such as country socio-economic development, morbidity mortality, degree democratic government, perception. Methods findings We developed a novel ten-item instrument that asks respondents rate key aspects their government's response pandemic (COVID-SCORE). examined whether results varied by gender, age group, education level, monthly income. also internal external validity index using appropriate predefined variables. To test for dimensionality results, we used principal component analysis (PCA) ten survey items. found Cronbach's alpha was 0.92 first PCA explained 60% variance with remaining factors having eigenvalues below 1, strongly indicating tool is both reliable unidimensional. Based on from 13,426 people randomly selected general 19 countries, mean national scores ranged 35.76 (Ecuador) 80.48 (China) out maximum 100 points. Heterogeneity observed across age, income greatest amount heterogeneity between countries. National correlated respondents' reported levels trust country-level mortality rates. Conclusions The COVID-SCORE demonstrated satisfactory validity. It help governments more effectively engage constituents current future efforts control COVID-19. Additional country-specific assessment should be undertaken measure trends over time other