Saskatchewan residents will get a chance to voice their opinions on the COVID-19 pandemic with a new study from the University of Saskatchewan.

Dr. Patrick Seitzinger, co-researcher says the study is a collaboration between the College of Medicine, the Western College of Veterinary Medicine and the Department of Computer Science. It’s called Ethica to Support Behavioural Data Collection During the COVID-19 Outbreak and can be accessed online.

Seitzinger explains surveys will ask participants about what they think about the risks of COVID, what they have done to manage that risk and if they think they’ve been significantly informed about COVID. Other surveys will focus on participant’s views on COVID-19 vaccinations, and any barriers being faced with receiving one.

After the first five days, participants will fill out a couple of surveys a week over the course of four months.
Seitzinger says the results of all of the survey’s will help to inform strategies for things like vaccinations, outbreak control strategies and public health messaging. All of the data will also be made widely available through journals and conference publications.

Seitzinger suggests the study will aim to make sure public health strategies going forward are effective and in-line with the population of Saskatchewan. Seitzinger explains designing the study the aim was to collect the most relelvant data.

Find out more here.