N.W.A.N.Y. Wijesekara https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0391-6220, K.A.L.C Kodituwakku
Abstract
The public trust on the number of Covid-19 Cases and Deaths is a key determinant towards adherence to the requested health measures during the Covid-19 Pandemic. Provision of information to the public on Covid-19 cases has been placed a high priority in the Covid-19 control operation of Sri Lanka. The objective of this opinion survey was to assess the public trust in the numbers of Covid-19 cases and deaths in Sri Lanka. An online survey was developed using google forms and was disseminated among known networks and through the Facebook from 25.10.2020 to 30.10.2020. Over 61 % of the respondents said that they trusted the numbers received on Covid-19 cases and deaths through official sources within the last week in Sri Lanka. Sixty-nine percent (n = 117) identified a health officer as the most trusted person to receive information on Covid-19 cases and deaths. In the meantime, eighteen percent (n = 31) stated a military officer to be the most trusted person to receive information. Fifty-two percent (n = 94) of the respondents strongly believed that there was community transmission in Sri Lanka, the while 35 % (n = 63) believed so. A website of the most commonly used medium to obtain the numbers on Covid-19 cases and deaths, (n = 107, 57.2%), followed by mobile alerts (n = 100, 53.5%). Television was the third most commonly used medium, 97, 51.9%. The information provided by the government on Covid-19 cases and deaths could attract different levels of trust. A trust worthy figure such as a health officer should declare information on Covid-19 cases and deaths. Making such information available online could help improve community trust.
Keywords: Public Trust, Covid-19, Information, Right to Information