Covid-19 Post-Shielding Research: October 2023

Appendix A: Survey Questionnaire

Introduction

This survey asks questions about your experience of the Covid-19 pandemic. The survey explores the experience of the population of Scotland since the end of the Highest Risk List (HRL), previously known as the Shielding List, in May 2022.

Demographic Questions

Ask all

D1.

Select all

Do you consider yourself to have a long-term health condition?

This could be a physical condition, a mental health condition, or both. It would include disabilities and conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and respiratory conditions, for example.

If so, please indicate whether this is a limiting condition (i.e. a health problem or disability which limits your daily activities or the work you can do, including problems that are due to old age) or not.

Please select all that apply. For instance, you may consider yourself to have a limiting physical health condition, and a non-limiting mental health condition.

A limiting physical condition

A non-limiting physical condition

A limiting mental health condition

A non-limiting mental health condition

None

Don’t know

Prefer not to say

Ask all

D2.

What is your ethnic group?

Choose one section from A to F, then tick one box which best describes your ethnic group or

Background

A White

Scottish

Other British

Irish

Polish

Gypsy / Traveller

Roma

Showman / Showwoman

Other white ethnic group

B Mixed or multiple ethnic groups

C Asian, Scottish Asian or British Asian

Pakistani, Scottish Pakistani or British Pakistani

Indian, Scottish Indian or British Indian

Bangladeshi, Scottish Bangladeshi or British Bangladeshi

Chinese, Scottish Chinese or British Chinese

Other

D African, Scottish African or British African

E Caribbean or Black

F Other ethnic group

Arab, Scottish Arab or British Arab

Experience of shielding

Ask all

Q1. Were you asked to shield at the start of the pandemic, in March 2020?

Yes

No

Ask all

Q2. Were you asked to shield or follow any additional advice at any point between March 2020 and May 2022?

Yes

No

[Note for coding, derived variable ‘Shielding’:

Asked to shield at start if Q1=1

Asked to shield during pandemic if Q1=2 And Q2=1

Not asked to shield if Q1=2 And Q2=2]- set quota of minimum 500 respondents in categories 1 or 2

Ask if Q1 or Q2=1

Q3. For which of the following conditions or treatments were you asked to shield for?

Please select all that apply.

Solid organ transplant recipient who remains on long-term immune suppression therapy.

Cancer.

Severe respiratory conditions including cystic fibrosis, severe asthma and severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

A rare disease or inborn errors of metabolism which significantly increase the risk of infections.

I was on immunosuppression therapies sufficient to significantly increase risk of infection.

Pregnant with significant heart disease.

I was added based on the judgement of my GP/Clinician.

Don’t know.

Ask if Q1 or Q2=1

Q4. Were you on the Highest Risk List (otherwise known as the shielding list) when it ended in May 2022?

Yes

No

Ask if Q4=1 i.e was on the list at the end

Q5. In May 2022 the Chief Medical Officer wrote to all of those on the Highest Risk List (otherwise known as shielding list) informing them that the highest risk list was coming to an end.

Two different letters were issued:

General letter- informing those on the Highest Risk List, that they were no longer deemed at higher risk.

Higher risk group letter- Informing those of the higher risk group that some may still be at higher risk, and advice on how to manage their Covid-19 risk.

Can you recall which of these letters you received?

General letter

Higher risk group letter

I cannot recall

Ask if Q4=1 i.e was on the list at the end

Q6. When you received this letter how reassured did you feel about the ending of the highest risk list?

Completely reassured

Somewhat reassured

Not very reassured

Not at all reassured

Don’t Know

Ask all

Q7. Looking at the list below, which, if any, of these physical or mental health conditions or illnesses do you currently have?

Please select all that apply.

Arthritis

Chest or breathing conditions (e.g. asthma/ bronchitis)

Diabetes

Heart, blood pressure or circulation conditions

Learning or behavioural disability (e.g. autism, Down’s Syndrome)

Mental health conditions

Problems or disabilities related to arms or hands

Problems or disabilities related to legs or feet

Problems or disabilities related to back or neck

Severe disfigurement, skin condition or allergies

Severe stomach, liver, kidney or digestive problem

Some other progressive disability or illness

Some other health problem or disability

None of these

Rather not say

Ask if Q7=1-13.

Pipe through into list with the conditions in Q7 in a table

Q8 And when were you diagnosed with this conditions?

Prior to March 2020

Between March 2020 and May 2022

After May 2022

Experience since the end of Highest Risk List

This section asks you to reflect on your behaviour since the end of the Highest Risk List previously known as the Shielding List, in May 2022.

All questions from this point to be crosstabbed by those who were shielding and those who were not

Ask all

Q9. Thinking about your experience since the end of the highest risk list, which of the following statements best describes your current approach to managing risk?

I still try to minimise all physical contact with people from other households,

I still assess the risk of each activity on a case-by-case basis,

I feel comfortable doing some of the things I did before Covid-19,

I feel comfortable doing most (or all) of the things I did before Covid-19,

Don’t Know

Ask all

Q10. And which of the following statements best describes the current approach of (most) members of your household (if applicable) or other close contacts?

They still try to minimise all physical contact with people from other households,

They still assess the risk of each activity on a case-by-case basis,

They feel comfortable doing some of the things they did before Covid-19,

They feel comfortable doing most (or all) of the things they did before Covid-19 ,

Don’t Know

Ask who were shielding (Q1 or Q2=1)

Q11. How do you currently make decisions around activities that you did not or could not undertake during the shielding period? Please select all that apply

Randomise Order

I make my own assessments and judgements around what I consider safe

I follow the advice of my GP/clinician

I follow the advice of family/friends

I follow the advice of others who are vulnerable to Covid-19/had experience of shielding

I still look to/follow former Scottish Government guidance

I still look to/follow current Scottish Government guidance

None of the above

Ask all

Q12. How would you describe impacts on the following since the end of the COVID-19 Highest Risk List?

Your confidence when leaving home

How much physical activity you do

Your quality of life

Your mental health

Your physical health

Your relationship with other family and friends

Your relationship with your partner

Your relationship with your children

How lonely you feel

Your employment

The quality of care you receive

Your financial situation

Your education

Scale: Very positive impact, somewhat positive impact, neither positive nor negative, somewhat negative impact, very negative impact, Don’t Know

Ask all

Q13. How important do you consider the following factors to be when making decisions around day-to-day activities?

Whether these activities are indoors or outdoors

How well-ventilated a building/space is

How well-ventilated the vehicles/public transport I am travelling in are

How many people are around me, and whether or not I know them

How many people are around me, regardless of whether I know them

Whether the people around me are wearing facemasks or other personal protective equipment

Scale: Very important, somewhat important, not very important, not at all important, Don’t Know

Ask all who were shielding (Q1 or Q2=1)

Q14. Has being included on the Highest Risk List had any of the following positive impacts?

Please select all that apply.

Extra support from family or friends,

I have tried to live (even) more healthily

Extra support when accessing healthcare

Better relationships with family or friends

Improved mental health

None of the above

Letters / Communications

Ask all

Q15. And to what extent would you agree that past Scottish Government guidance in relation to Covid-19, i.e. that issued when the ‘highest risk group’ was identified, was:

Clear

Trustworthy

Reassuring

Impartial

Scale: Strongly agree, somewhat agree, neither agree nor disagree, somewhat disagree, strongly disagree, don’t know

Ask all

Q16. And to what extent would you agree that Scottish Government guidance since the end of the Highest Risk List have been:

Clear

Trustworthy

Reassuring

Impartial

Scale: Strongly agree, somewhat agree, neither agree nor disagree, somewhat disagree, strongly disagree, don’t know

Attitudes towards the ending of HRL

Ask all who were shielding (Q1 or Q2=1)

Q17. What concerns, if any, have you had over the ending of the Highest Risk List (HRL) ? Please select all that apply.

Randomise Order

People might become complacent

People might be less mindful of the needs and concerns of those who were on the HRL

It might be difficult/complex to re-establish the HRL if needed in future

I am concerned for another reason

I have had no concerns about this

Don’t Know

Ask all who have concerns (Q17=1-4)

Q18. Which, if any, of the following would help you to become less concerned since the ending of the Highest Risk List? Please select all that apply.

Randomise Order

Encouragement for ongoing vaccination for Covid-19

Better ventilation in public places

Ongoing government guidance on behaviours that reduce Covid-19 transmission

More regular information on the number of Covid-19 cases

Updated guidance for those who were on the Highest Risk List

Advice from my GP on how best to manage my Covid-19 risk

Don’t Know

Ask all who were shielding (Q1 or Q2=1)

Q19. How do you see the future?

Select One

I will remain worried for some time about being at higher risk and this will affect my quality of life,

I will remain worried for some time about being at higher risk, but this will not really affect my quality of life,

I will soon no longer think of myself as being in a separate higher risk group

Don’t Know

Knowledge/understanding of current SG position

Ask all

Q20. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements:

Randomise except statement 1

I know what the current guidance in relation to Covid-19 is,

I find the current guidance confusing,

I know who to talk to about the current guidance,

The current information from the Scottish Government on Covid-19 is clear,

The current guidance in relation to Covid-19 is reassuring,

The current guidance in relation to Covid-19 is trustworthy

Scale: Strongly agree, somewhat agree, neither agree nor disagree, somewhat disagree, strongly disagree, don’t’ know

Ask all

Q21. In terms of your behaviour since the end of restrictions and the highest risk list, which of the following do you consider when deciding whether to do things that you were not able during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Please select all that apply.

Advice from a clinician

Scottish Government guidance from during restrictions

Existing Scottish Government guidance

Other (please specify)

None of the above

Ask all

Q22. To what extent are you aware of the following schemes

Distance Aware Scheme

Winter Signage Scheme (now known as the Stay Well Signage Scheme)

Scale: I know a lot about it, I have heard of it and know a little about it, I have heard of it but don’t know anything about it, I have never heard of the scheme, Don’t Know

Ask all

Q23. Which of the following types of measures do you see as acceptable, if there was another variant/surge? Please select all that apply.

Randomise Order

Physical restrictions, such as ‘Stay at Home’ orders

The closure of shops, schools, and other public settings

Physical distancing measures, such as distance markers on public transport or in shops and other public settings

Social distancing measures, such as restrictions on the number of people from different households who can meet

The use of face coverings in public settings, where these are not normally worn

Public health messaging and provision in shops and other public settings, such as ‘hand sanitiser stations’

Don’t know

Ask all

Q24. And who do you think should have to comply with these measures, if there was another variant/surge?

Select One

The entire population of Scotland

Only those deemed vulnerable to Covid-19

Only those who are not vaccinated against Covid-19

Nobody

Don’t know

Ask all who were shielding (Q1 or Q2=1)

Q25. How would you describe your awareness of your eligibility for the following?

COVID-19 treatments

Vaccination

I’m aware of this and have/will utilise this

I’m aware of this but have not/will not utilise this

I’m not aware of these

Don’t Know

Ask all who were shielding (Q1 or Q2=1)

Q26. Were you aware that Scottish Government would be able to contact those on the Highest Risk List again in future if they needed to?

I was aware of this

I was not aware of this

Don’t Know

Ask all who were shielding (Q1 or Q2=1)

Recruitment

This survey was designed by Diffley Partnership. We intend to conduct a small number of interviews with respondents to this survey to further explore people’s experience since the end of the Highest Risk List in May 2022.

Diffley Partnership will provide you with full details before you consent to take part. (This is not a formal invitation to take part, but a way to express an interest in doing so.)

By providing your email, you are consenting to ScotPulse sharing your answers to these survey questions with us so that we can contact you.

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