Risk perception of COVID-19: Susceptibility and severity perceived by the Brazilian population

Abstract

This study investigated how the Brazilian population perceived the risk of COVID-19, people’s behavior in response to the pandemic, and trust in the health system in case of COVID-19 infection. The sample comprised 7430 Brazilian recruited through non-probability sampling. Association analysis was performed using logistic regression. The results revealed that the economically active population and those who lived with health professionals most perceived greater susceptibility to infection. In addition, the high severity of COVID-19 was more perceived by the elderly and by those who lived with individuals in high-risk groups.