Elizaveta V. Deshchenko

Background. Due to the prolonged duration of the COVID-19 pandemic, cultural differences and various strategies used to combat the disease, public perceptions of both the virus and the pandemic itself have likely evolved considerably since its onset and may vary significantly across countries.

Objective. The aim of the research was to study the factors influencing the dynamics underpinning perceptual differences regarding the coronavirus and the COVID-19 pandemic among respondents from Russia, Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan across different stages of the pandemic.

Design. The questionnaire "Perception of the Coronavirus and the COVID-19 Pandemic" was completed by 2.863 participants between April 2020 and May 2022. The total sample was divided into seven subsamples based on country and the time of participation in the study. The study design was cross-sectional and included intergroup comparison, taking into account all questionnaire items according to factors of gender, cultural background, and time of participation in the study.

Results. The study confirmed the significance of gender, cultural background, and time factors in the perception of the coronavirus and the pandemic.

Conclusion. Cultural background, gender, and time factors are significant in the formation of perceptions toward both the COVID-19 pandemic and the virus itself.