Public trust, compliance, and attitudes toward COVID-19 measures over time: evidence from Norway

Background

Effective pandemic management depends on public trust in health authorities, and adherence to infection control measures (ICMs). How trust, attitudes, and compliance evolve during a prolonged pandemic is not well understood, yet continuous monitoring is essential for evidence-based policy and preparedness.

Methods

Using the Norwegian Koronatracker survey (102 weekly waves, February 2020–March 2022) we examined trends in trust in health authorities, attitudes toward ICMs, and self-reported compliance in a representative sample. Linear regression with polynomial time components was used to assess trends and differences in trends by gender, age, education level, and regions.

Results

Trust peaked during the initial lockdown (April 2020) and remained high and stable throughout the study period. Self-reported compliance was consistently high (85–95%), with no significant overall temporal trend in either trust or compliance. Support for stricter measures ranged from 30–50%, while perceptions that measures were too strict remained low. Agreement that measures were appropriate declined significantly over time, with older respondents (≥45 years) showing a different trajectory than younger. Males reported lower compliance than females, but trust did not differ by gender. Regional differences were small.

Conclusions

Public trust and compliance remained stable over two years, while attitudes toward specific measures declined. Demographic differences, especially by age and gender, suggest uneven distribution of compliance and highlight the need for targeted communication strategies in future health crises.

Key messages

• Public trust and compliance with COVID-19 measures stayed stable over two years in Norway, but attitude toward specific measures declined.

• Age and gender differences in compliance highlight the need for targeted health communication in future crises.