Abstract
Objective:to describe the occurrence of COVID-19 and the health services used by elderly individuals living by themselves; identify the knowledge held by elderly individuals regarding the transmission, signs and symptoms of COVID-19, as well as factors associated with poor knowledge of preventive measures according to sociodemographic and clinical variables.Method:cross-sectional survey conducted by telephone or mobile with 123 elderly individuals living by themselves in the Health Macro-Region of Triângulo Sul in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Descriptive analysis was performed along with bivariate and multiple linear regression (p<0.05).Results:most elderly individuals did not present COVID-19 signs and symptoms (97.5%), were aware of how it is transmitted (86.6%), and of its signs and symptoms (90.8%). The elderly individuals were familiar with four preventive measures on average. After social distancing began, 85.7% of them left home and implemented three preventive measures on average, the most frequent of which was the use of face masks (99.0%). Being a man (p=0.001), 80 years old or older (p=0.045), and having fewer years of schooling (p=0.010) were associated with having less knowledge regarding the COVID-19 preventive measures.Conclusion:the elderly individuals were knowledgeable on COVID-19, but did not implement all the preventive measures. Male elderly individuals living by themselves with a low educational level are more vulnerable to COVID-19.
Highlights
COVID-19, from the term “coronavirus disease 2019”, is an acute respiratory disease, caused by the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2)(1), which was declared Public Health Emergency of International Concern and characterized as a pandemic on March 11th, 2020(2).Its clinical management and appropriate treatment have not yet been fully recognized(1)
Objective: to describe the occurrence of COVID-19 and the health services used by elderly individuals living by themselves; identify the knowledge held by elderly individuals regarding the transmission, signs and symptoms of COVID-19, as well as factors associated with poor knowledge of preventive measures according to sociodemographic and clinical variables
A total of 96.3% of the elderly individuals were familiar with COVID-19 and their most frequent source of information was TV (96.6%); followed by radio (28.6%); family members (25.2%); friends (15.1%); and Internet (10.9%)
Summary
Its clinical management and appropriate treatment have not yet been fully recognized(1). It is known, that the virus is highly transmissible and mainly spreads from person to person(3). Transmission occurs through respiratory droplets released through the nose or mouth when an infected person coughs or sneezes(1). The presence of the virus on objects or surfaces is another form of contagion; people are at risk of becoming infected if they touch their eyes, nose or mouth after touching contaminated objectives or surfaces(1). The clinical condition of COVID-19 in most cases is similar to other respiratory infections: fever (≥37.8oC), running nose, dry cough, and fatigue(2). 5% of the infected individuals develop the most severe form of the disease, with symptoms such as dyspnea and/or pulmonary bleeding, severe lymphopenia, and renal failure(4)
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