Savic Kallesoe SA, Rabbani T, Gill EE, Brinkman F, Griffiths EJ, Zawati M, Liu H, Palmour N, Joly Y, Hsiao WWL. Canadians' opinions towards COVID-19 data-sharing: a national cross-sectional survey.
BMJ Open 2023;
13:e066418. [PMID:
36750286 PMCID:
PMC9905784 DOI:
10.1136/bmjopen-2022-066418]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES
COVID-19 research has significantly contributed to pandemic response and the enhancement of public health capacity. COVID-19 data collected by provincial/territorial health authorities in Canada are valuable for research advancement yet not readily available to the public, including researchers. To inform developments in public health data-sharing in Canada, we explored Canadians' opinions of public health authorities sharing deidentified individual-level COVID-19 data publicly.
DESIGN/SETTING/INTERVENTIONS/OUTCOMES
A national cross-sectional survey was administered in Canada in March 2022, assessing Canadians' opinions on publicly sharing COVID-19 datatypes. Market research firm Léger was employed for recruitment and data collection.
PARTICIPANTS
Anyone greater than or equal to 18 years and currently living in Canada.
RESULTS
4981 participants completed the survey with a 92.3% response rate. 79.7% were supportive of provincial/territorial authorities publicly sharing deidentified COVID-19 data, while 20.3% were hesitant/averse/unsure. Datatypes most supported for being shared publicly were symptoms (83.0% in support), geographical region (82.6%) and COVID-19 vaccination status (81.7%). Datatypes with the most aversion were employment sector (27.4% averse), postal area (26.7%) and international travel history (19.7%). Generally supportive Canadians were characterised as being ≥50 years, with higher education, and being vaccinated against COVID-19 at least once. Vaccination status was the most influential predictor of data-sharing opinion, with respondents who were ever vaccinated being 4.20 times more likely (95% CI 3.21 to 5.48, p=0.000) to be generally supportive of data-sharing than those unvaccinated.
CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that the Canadian public is generally favourable to deidentified data-sharing. Identifying factors that are likely to improve attitudes towards data-sharing are useful to stakeholders involved in data-sharing initiatives, such as public health agencies, in informing the development of public health communication and data-sharing policies. As Canada progresses through the COVID-19 pandemic, and with limited testing and reporting of COVID-19 data, it is essential to improve deidentified data-sharing given the public's general support for these efforts.
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