Abstract
BackgroundThere is a lack of knowledge on how people at increased risk of severe illness from Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) experienced the infection control measures. This study aimed to explore their perspectives and needs during the coronavirus outbreak.MethodsA qualitative longitudinal interview study was conducted in Austria during lockdown due to COVID-19 containment and afterwards. People older than 65 years of age and/or affected by a chronic medical condition participated in individual telephone interviews at two time points. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data and saturation was defined as no new emerging concepts in at least 10 subsequent interviews.ResultsThematic saturation was reached when 33 individuals (75.8% female, mean age ± standard deviation [SD] 73.7±10.9 years) were included. A total of 44 lower level concepts were extracted and summarized into 6 higher level concepts. They included (i) a general positive attitude toward COVID-19 measures, (ii) challenges of being isolated from the community, (iii) deterioration of health status, (iv) difficulties with measures due to their health condition, (v) lack of physical contact and (vi) lack of information versus overload. Participants suggested environmental adaptations for strengthening resilience in people at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19.ConclusionStrategies and interventions are needed to support people at risk under pandemic conditions. Their perceptions and needs should be addressed to reduce the potential deterioration of health conditions and ensure well-being even during prolonged periods of crisis.Supplementary InformationThe online version of this article (10.1007/s00508-021-01979-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Highlights
The novel Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) spread rapidly worldwide, and the number of cases increased at an accelerated pace [1]
While unexpected changes in daily life affect all people, some persons are more likely to become seriously ill from COVID-19 than others
Studies have mainly focused on health care providers [30,31,32], often not considering the needs of people at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19
Summary
The novel Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) spread rapidly worldwide, and the number of cases increased at an accelerated pace [1]. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) define these people like older adults and people of all ages with certain (chronic) health conditions and severe illness from COVID-19 as an increased risk for hospitalization, intensive care, need for a ventilator and/or death [2]. People from vulnerable groups might be more challenged in daily life and face more severe quarantine consequences, including deteriorated health and well-being, than people from other population groups [6]. Physical distancing measures, such as strict controls of any outdoor activities in response to the COVID19 pandemic, aim to cut transmission by reducing close social contacts and have been recommended globally to control the community spread of the virus [7]. Providers and managers of long-term inpatient care facilities had taken drastic measures, such as instituting visiting bans, curfews, and isolation of residents beyond governmental regulations
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