COVID-19 preventive behaviours among population 50+ in Poland

Marta Styrc

doi:10.33119/sd.2021.2.4

Abstract

In order to reduce the spread of the SARS-COVID pandemic a set of measures was recommended to reduce the spread of disease and protect individual health. In this article we analyse what factors are associated with utilisation of preventive measures: washing hands, using disinfectant and covering cough among the population of men and women aged 50+. Using Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement data we estimate logistic regression models for the increased utilisation of each of the preventive behaviours on demographic, socio-economic and psychological characteristics. The results indicate that the likelihood of taking health precautions depends on age, education, level of conscientiousness, and staying isolated. For men it also matters whether they live with a partner. We discuss what the findings mean for managing preventive behaviours.

Highlights

Following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic health organisations and governments have formulated guidelines and regulations aimed at reducing the virus transmission
This study contributes to the research on health behaviours by investigating factors associated with employment of three personal strategies of infection prevention: washing hands, using hand sanitisers and disinfection fluids, covering cough and sneeze
The numbers for Poland have been presented against the numbers for all countries participating in the SHARE-COVID survey

Summary

Introduction

Following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic health organisations and governments have formulated guidelines and regulations aimed at reducing the virus transmission. This study contributes to the research on health behaviours by investigating factors associated with employment of three personal strategies of infection prevention: washing hands, using hand sanitisers and disinfection fluids, covering cough and sneeze.

Results

Conclusion