(Hong Kong, 24 March 2021) The COVID-19 pandemic has lasted for over a year. Many pieces of research and news reported pandemic fatigue and concerned about citizens' emotional condition. To further investigate the causes of pandemic fatigue, the Hong Kong Red Cross (HKRC) has designed a questionnaire and commissioned the Hong Kong Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, to carry out a telephone survey. 728 citizens were interviewed on the telephone from 22 January to 9 February 2021, and the HKRC announced the results of the survey "The Components of Pandemic Fatigue and its Impact under COVID-19" today.

According to the analysis of the survey, pandemic fatigue is not only a mental health problem, it is also closely related to public health aspect. The causes of "Pandemic Fatigue" were actually composed of multiple components of different aspect, instead of the single factor that people are "tired out physically and mentally under the prolonged pandemic". Three components were discovered as the factors of "pandemic fatigue": "Factor 1: Affective Factor of Pandemic Fatigue", "Factor 2: Cognitive Factor of Pandemic Fatigue", and "Factor 3: Attitude Factor in Public Health Measures".

The survey reviewed the behavioural outcomes of citizens. 78.1% respondents agreed or strongly agreed they would seek medical advice and get testing immediately if feeling unwell, while 76.5% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed they complied with public health measures, and 44.2% agreed or strongly  agreed they would get a vaccination.

With in-depth analysis, on top of the "Affective Factor" and "Cognitive Factor" of pandemic fatigue, the survey showed that a few barriers and resources factors encountered by citizens under the pandemic were also significantly associated with behavioural outcomes of citizens. Respondents with the characteristics listed below tended to be more willing to implement epidemic prevention measures, seek medical advice and get testing immediately if feeling unwell, or get vaccinations.

1. With higher health literacy, or

2. With better community network support, or

3. Higher accessibility to necessary hygiene supplies.

The above indicated that people with higher health literacy, supportive interpersonal relationship and access to necessary hygiene supplies were more willing to continue to practice public health preventive measures. Dr Eliza Cheung, PhD, Clinical Psychologist cum Service-in-charge, Psychological Support Service, HKRC explained: "We can see that strengthening citizens' knowledge about the pandemic, enhancing exchange and publicity of pandemic related information can alleviate pandemic fatigue. However, some people in the community have less chance of getting these information, such as singleton elderly, persons with intellectual disability and ethnic minorities, which further discussion by the community may be needed on how to facilitate them to access relevant information."

Ms Bonnie So, Chief Executive Officer/ Secretary General, HKRC considered the pandemic was not ending soon yet. The fact that we had to keep on practicing preventive measures everyday could be tiring and frustrating. Still, with emotional support from friends and family, hygiene supplies support, and information exchange, we were assured that we were not alone. "Everyone has a role to fight against the pandemic. We can do our best to carry out personal preventive measures, as well as caring and helping people around and vulnerable people in the community who are in need. We encourage citizens in the community to spend 3 minutes calling or texting a person each day from today to show your care and share correct information. This not only sends care and warmth to people, but the connection between people is also contributing to an extended community network to fight against the pandemic", she encouraged.

The HKRC would continue to provide humanitarian services according to the development of the pandemic and needs of the society, particularly on provision of information and emotional support which were identified in the survey. Our actions include exchanging ideas and cooperating with organizations which served ethnic minorities by providing more pandemic related information to them, continuing community education services "Health Chat" (Whatsapp +852 9738 2934) and psychological support service "Shall We Talk" (call or make an appointment through Whatsapp +852 5164 5040/ Telegram: @hkrcshallwetalk)  and inviting representatives from various sectors to join a seminar in late April to facilitate discussion and cooperation, to gather different parties to provide more support to people in need.

The HKRC announced the results of the survey "The Components of Pandemic Fatigue and its Impact under COVID-19" which aims to find out the reasons for pandemic fatigue in respect of a spectrum of causes.

Ms Bonnie So, Chief Executive Officer/ Secretary General, HKRC encourages citizens to spend 3 minutes to call or text a person each day, to show our care and contribute to an extended community network to fight against the pandemic together.

Dr Eliza Cheung, PhD, Clinical Psychologist cum Service-in-charge, Psychological Support Service, HKRC expressed that the survey revealed the causes of "Pandemic Fatigue" had multiple components, instead of the single factor that people are "tired out physically and mentally under the prolonged pandemic".

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