Key Points

Adoption of protective measures and behaviors

• A decline in 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. Increased adoption of preventive measures beginning in October 2020.

• Lower adherence to preventive measures (hygiene and physical distancing) was observed among men, people under 35, and those with low health literacy.

Mental Health

• Depressive disorders affected approximately 18% of participants from the Pays de la Loire region in the CoviPrev surveys during lockdown periods, compared to 11% outside these periods.

• In November 2020 (survey waves 17–18), during the second lockdown, the regional prevalence of anxiety disorders was 16.2%, that of depressive disorders was 18.9%, and that of sleep problems was 63.4%. These prevalences were similar to those observed during the first lockdown.

• Anxiety and depressive disorders and sleep problems were associated with having a history of psychological disorders, being in a difficult financial situation, belonging to a disadvantaged socio-professional category, being at risk of developing a severe form of COVID-19, being under 35 years of age, and being female.