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. 2020 Oct 20;11(5):579–591. doi: 10.34172/ijhpm.2020.199

Table 1. Sample Characteristics and Risk Perceptions About COVID-19, N = 897 .

No. (%)
Respondent Characteristics
Female 427 (47.6)
Age (y)
Mean (SD) 42 (12.8)
Median (IQR) 40 (32.0, 52.0)
> 50 252 (28.1)
21–35 327 (36.5)
36–50 318 (36.4)
Ethnicity
Chinese 755 (84.2)
Malay 64 (7.1)
Indian + others 78 (8.7)
Married 493 (55.0)
Education
Below university (no formal education, primary, secondary, vocational/ITE, JC/polytechnic/diploma/do not know/not sure) 353 (39.3)
University or above 544 (60.7)
Living arrangement
Living with elderly (aged ≥65), yes 470 (52.4)
Living with young children (≤12), yes 327 (36.4)
Chronic health conditions
At least one chronic health condition, yes 311 (34.7)
Median (IQR) for those with chronic conditions 2 (1.0, 3.0)
Mean (SD) for those with chronic conditions 2 (1.7)
GAD-7 Score
Median (IQR) 5 (1.0, 9.0)
Mean (SD) 6 (5.5)
Mild anxiety (score: 5–9) 256 (28.5)
Moderate anxiety (score: 10–14) 151 (16.8)
Severe anxiety (score: ≥15) 63 (7.0)
Public Perceptions of COVID-19 in Singapore
Chances of getting COVID-19 compared to the regular Flu
Much lower than the flu, slightly lower than the flu, same as the flu 493 (55.0)
Slightly higher than the flu, much higher than the flu 404 (45.0)
Perceived likelihood of COVID-19-related ICU admission
Very unlikely, somewhat unlikely 475 (53.0)
Very likely, somewhat likely 422 (47.0)
Likelihood of Death from COVID-19
Very unlikely, somewhat unlikely 627 (69.9)
Very likely, somewhat likely 270 (30.1)
I think the government will be successful in containing the spread of COVID-19
Neither agree/disagree, somewhat disagree, strongly disagree, somewhat agree 678 (75.6)
Strongly agree 219 (24.4)
I think that if I am careful, I can reduce my chances of getting COVID-19
Neither agree/disagree, somewhat disagree, strongly disagree 218 (24.3)
Strongly agree, somewhat agree 679 (75.7)
I think that people in Singapore are overly worried/paranoid about COVID-19
Neither agree/disagree, somewhat disagree, strongly disagree 574 (64.0)
Strongly agree, somewhat agree 323 (36.0)

Abbreviations: COVID-19, coronavirus disease 2019; IQR, interquartile range; SD, standard deviation; ITE, Institute of Technical Education; JC, junior college; ICU, intensive care unit.

All figures are in percentages; Due to rounding, percentages may not add up to 100%.

*IQR: inter-quartile range represents 25th and 75th percentile.