Homepage > Research abstracts > Local municipalities management of the COVID19 pandemic and its effect on resident’s compliance with social distancing restrictions, and perceived stress levels.
Local municipalities management of the COVID19 pandemic and its effect on resident’s compliance with social distancing restrictions, and perceived stress levels.
Researchers: Yael Bar-Zeev1, Milka Dunchin1
- The Hebrew University of Jerusalem-Hadassah Medical Centr
Background: The COVID19 pandemic caused negative health, economic and social consequences. In Israel, 57/257 local municipalities are part of the Healthy Cities Network (HCN) (60% of the population). HCN Municipalities have a strong political commitment for health promotion, including for reducing health inequalities.
Objectives
Methods
Findings
Conclusions and Policy Implications
Objectives
Methods
Findings
Conclusions and Policy Implications
Objectives: To explore local municipalities management of the pandemic and assess whether belonging to the HCN impacted this management.
Method: Mixed methods: a) interviews with local municipalities officials; b) cross-sectional survey with residents. Fourteen municipalities were chosen – seven HCN municipalities matched to seven non-HCN municipalities, based on geographical location, socio-economic status, population size and ethnicity. Interviews were transcribed and coded using an inductive general thematic coding. Survey measures included compliance with pandemic restrictions; perceived stress, depression and loneliness, and level of government and local municipality trust. Multivariate linear and logistic mixed effects models examined the association between HCN residence status and these measures.
Findings: Forty-two interviews were conducted. Major themes included: a) difference in the management during the first lockdown compared to following lockdowns and pandemic “routine”; b) difficulties with data management within the municipality; c) need for a central governmental contact; d) desire for more independence at the local level; e) distinct characteristics for each municipality. In some municipalities, the HCN coordinator played a key role in the pandemic response. Overall, 515 completed the survey (HCN n=280; non-HCN n=235). There were no significant differences in restrictions compliance or perceived levels of negative emotions between HCN and non-HCN residents.
Conclusions: Local municipalities in Israel played an important role in the pandemic response. Challenges and responses were similar across municipalities and residents, regardless of their HCN status. In some municipalities the role of the HCN coordinator was crucial for the pandemic response. Municipalities requested a central information source and more independence at the local level.
Research number: R/419/2021
Research end date: 12/2021