Abstract
With the emergence of the novel SARS-CoV-2 and the disease it causes; COVID-19, compliance with/adherence to protective measures is needed. Information is needed on which measures are, or are not, being undertaken. Data collected from the COVID Impact Survey, conducted by the non-partisan and objective research organization NORC at the University of Chicago on April, May, and June of 2020, were analyzed through weighted Quasi-Poisson regression modeling to determine the association of demographics, socioeconomics, and health conditions with protective health measures taken at the individual level in response to COVID-19. The three surveys included data from 18 regional areas including 10 states (CA, CO, FL, LA, MN, MO, MT, NY, OR, and TX) and 8 Metropolitan Statistical Areas (Atlanta, GA; Baltimore, MD; Birmingham, AL; Chicago, IL; Cleveland and Columbus, OH; Phoenix, AZ; and Pittsburgh, PA). Individuals with higher incomes, insurance, higher education levels, large household size, age 60+, females, minorities, those who have asthma, have hypertension, overweight or obese, and those who suffer from mental health issues during the pandemic were significantly more likely to report taking precautionary protective measures relative to their counterparts. Protective measures for the three subgroups with a known relationship to COVID-19 (positive for COVID-19, knowing an individual with COVID-19, and knowing someone who had died from COVID-19) were strongly associated with the protective health measures of washing hands, avoiding public places, and canceling social engagements. This study provides first baseline data on the response to the national COVID-19 pandemic at the individual level in the US. The found heterogeneity in the response to this pandemic by different variables can inform future research and interventions to reduce exposure to the novel SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Highlights
In December 2019, a novel coronavirus known as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2) [1], emerged from Wuhan, China [2], crossing international borders, stalling economies worldwide, and infecting, as of 30 May 2020, over 6 million people worldwide and leading to COVID-19
We had two objectives; first, we evaluated the relationship between the count of protective health measures taken at the individual level in response to COVID-19 and predictors of interest such as a COVID-19 diagnosis or proximity to someone with a diagnosis and other relevant demographic and clinical characteristics
The present study addressed that gap and found significantly higher rates of public health measures being implemented (COVID-19 measures) were associated with demographic, socioeconomic, and clinical variables
Summary
In December 2019, a novel coronavirus known as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. (SARS-CoV-2) [1], emerged from Wuhan, China [2], crossing international borders, stalling economies worldwide, and infecting, as of 30 May 2020, over 6 million people worldwide and leading to COVID-19. COVID-19 is spread through human-to-human contact via respiratory droplets, especially in indoor settings [3,4], as well as contact routes (e.g., touching of contaminated surfaces or objects) [5,6,7,8,9]. COVID-19 is a serious illness that causes a range of symptoms with the most commonly reported including fever, cough, fatigue, shortness of breath, and headaches. Public Health 2020, 17, 6295; doi:10.3390/ijerph17176295 www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph
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