Key Points

Adoption of protective measures and behaviors

• Decreased adherence to physical distancing recommendations and an increase in risky social behaviors from the lifting of the first lockdown (mid-May) through mid-September 2020.

• A relaxation of precautionary behaviors contributed to the resurgence of viral circulation during the summer of 2020, its acceleration in September with the resumption of school and work activities, and led to the onset of the second wave of the pandemic starting in October 2020.

• Lower adherence to preventive measures (hygiene and physical distancing) among men, younger people (under 35), those not at risk of developing severe COVID-19, those without employment, and those with low health literacy.

Mental Health

• Overall and continuous deterioration in mental health indicators since September 2020

• Continuing increase in reported sleep problems (+12 points) and depressive symptoms (+20 points)

• Regional prevalence rates for sleep problems and depressive symptoms reported by participants in Hauts-de-France are high and exceed both the national average and those of other regions.

• Anxiety, depressive symptoms, and sleep problems are reported more frequently by women, younger respondents (<35 years old), people in difficult financial situations, and those with a history of psychological problems.