scholarly journals Sociodemographic factors and self-restraint from social behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan: a cross-sectional study

Author(s):  
TAKAHIRO MORI ◽  
Tomohisa Nagata ◽  
Kazunori Ikegami ◽  
Ayako Hino ◽  
Seiichiro Tateishi ◽  
...  

The control of human flow has led to better control of COVID-19 infections. Japan's state of emergency, unlike other countries, is not legally binding but is rather a request for individual self-restraint; thus, factors must be identified that do not respond to self-restraint, and countermeasures considered for those factors to enhance its efficacy. We examined the relationship between sociodemographic factors and self-restraint toward going out in public during a pandemic in Japan. This cross-sectional study used data for February 18-19, 2021, obtained from an internet survey; 19,560 participants aged 20-65 were included in the analysis. We identified five relevant behaviors: (1) taking a day trip; (2) eating out with five people or more; (3) gathering with friends and colleagues; (4) shopping for other than daily necessities; (5) shopping for daily necessities. Multilevel logistic regression analyses were used to examine the association between sociodemographic factors and self-restraint for each of the behaviors. Results showed that for behaviors other than shopping for daily necessities, women, those aged 60-65, married people, highly educated people, high-income earners, desk workers and those who mainly work with interpersonal communication, and those with underlying disease reported more self-restraint. Older people had less self-restraint than younger people toward shopping for daily necessities; an underlying disease had no effect on the identified behavior. Specialized interventions for these groups that include recommendations for greater self-restraint may improve the efficacy of the implementing measures that request self-restraint.

Author(s):  
Christina Brogårdh ◽  
Catharina Sjödahl Hammarlund ◽  
Frida Eek ◽  
Kjerstin Stigmar ◽  
Ingrid Lindgren ◽  
...  

Currently, there is limited knowledge on how the Swedish strategy with more lenient public health restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic has influenced people’s life satisfaction. Here, we investigated self-reported life satisfaction during the first wave of the pandemic in Sweden, and perceived changes in life satisfaction in relation to various sociodemographic factors. A total of 1082 people (mean age 48 (SD 12.2); 82% women) responded to an online survey during autumn 2020 including the “Life Satisfaction Questionnaire-11”. A majority (69%) were satisfied with life as a whole, and with other important life domains, with the exception of contact with friends and sexual life. An equal share reported that life as a whole had either deteriorated (28%) or improved (29%). Of those that perceived a deterioration, 95% considered it to be due to the pandemic. Regarding deteriorated satisfaction with life as a whole, higher odds were found in the following groups: having no children living at home; being middle aged; having other sources of income than being employed; and having a chronic disease. The Swedish strategy might have contributed to the high proportion of satisfied people. Those who perceived a deterioration in life satisfaction may, however, need attention from Swedish Welfare Authorities.


Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 210
Author(s):  
Masaki Machida ◽  
Itaru Nakamura ◽  
Takako Kojima ◽  
Reiko Saito ◽  
Tomoki Nakaya ◽  
...  

Vaccination could be a key protective measure against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and it is important to understand the acceptability of the COVID-19 vaccine among the general public. However, there is no study on the acceptance of a COVID-19 vaccine in Japan. Therefore, this study aimed to describe the COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and hesitancy situation in Japan and assess the factors associated with such issues. This was a cross-sectional study based on an internet survey completed by 2956 people. Participants were asked to indicate how likely they were to get vaccinated for COVID-19. In addition, the participants responded to questions regarding sociodemographic factors, attitudes, and beliefs regarding COVID-19 infection and vaccination. The proportion of participants with a high likelihood of getting a COVID-19 vaccine was 62.1%. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that vaccine acceptance was lower among several sociodemographic groups, such as women, adults aged 20–49 years, and those with a low-income level. Several psychological factors, especially the perceived effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine, and willingness to protect others by getting oneself vaccinated, were associated with vaccine acceptance. Our results indicate that the perceived effectiveness of the vaccine and willingness to protect others may play an important role in the acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine.


Author(s):  
Joong Seob Lee ◽  
Tae Jun Kim ◽  
Sung Kwang Hong ◽  
Chanyang Min ◽  
Dae Myoung Yoo ◽  
...  

This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the association between hyperuricemia and the frequency of coffee, tea, and soft drink consumption, based on data from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study (KoGES) (2004–2016). We used the KoGES health examinee data, obtained from urban residents aged ≥ 40 years. Information on the participants’ medical history, nutrition (total calorie, protein, fat, and carbohydrate intake), frequency of alcohol consumption, smoking status, household income, and frequency of coffee/green tea/soft drink intake was collected. A logistic regression model was used to analyze the data. Subgroup analyses were performed according to the participant’s age and sex. Among 173,209 participants, there were 11,750 and 156,002 individuals with hyperuricemia and non-hyperuricemia controls, respectively. In an adjusted model, frequent coffee and green tea consumption did not increase the risk of hyperuricemia, compared to the “no intake” reference group. However, an adjusted odds ratio of hyperuricemia was 1.23 (95% confidence interval, 1.11–1.35, p < 0.001) for participants who reported consuming soft drinks ≥ 3 times per day, compared to the respective “no drink” reference group. Even after adjusting for nutritional and sociodemographic factors, frequent soft drink intake was associated with an increased risk of hyperuricemia. Meanwhile, neither coffee nor green tea intake was associated with an increased risk of hyperuricemia.


2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-16
Author(s):  
Tawanda Machingura ◽  
Gurjeet Kaur ◽  
Chris Lloyd ◽  
Sharon Mickan ◽  
David Shum ◽  
...  

Purpose Previous research has provided limited evidence on whether and how demographic factors associate with sensory processing patterns (SPP) in adults. This paper aims to examine relationships between SPPs and sociodemographic factors of age, sex, education and ethnicity in healthy adults. Design/methodology/approach A cross-sectional study design was used. A total of 71 adult participants was recruited from the community, using convenience sampling. Each participant completed the Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile (AASP) and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales – short version (DASS-21). Demographic information on age, sex, education and ethnicity was collected. Results were analysed using descriptive statistics and multivariate analyses of covariance (MANCOVA). Findings SPPs, as measured by the AASP, were significantly correlated to demographic factors of age and education after controlling for emotional distress using the DASS-21. A statistically significant multivariate effect was found across the four dependent variables (low registration, seeking, sensitivity and avoiding) for the age category, F = 6.922, p = 0.009, ηp2 = 0.145, in the presence of a covariate DASS. The education category showed significance only in the seeking domain (p = 0.008, ηp2 = 0.10) after controlling for DASS. There was no significant correlation between SPPs and gender or ethnicity. Results also indicated that mean scores of participants in this study were “similar to most people” as standardised in the AASP. Research limitations/implications This was a cross-sectional study with limitations including that the study used a relatively small sample and was based on self-reported healthy participants. Practical implications SPPs may correlate with healthy adults’ age and to a lesser extent education. This suggests that it might be helpful to consider such demographic factors when interpreting SPPs in clinical populations, although further research in larger samples is needed to reach firmer conclusions about possible implications of demographic variables. Originality/value The findings in this paper add to the growing evidence that suggest that SPPs vary with sociodemographic factors.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
F K Nampo ◽  
S Souza ◽  
C R Pestana

Abstract Background Major birth defects are characterized by its severity and are a public health challenge since it chronically affects the population. Foz do Iguassu is located in Brazili's largest international border and presents a birth defect rate 50% greater than the country's average. Methods Identifying factors associated to birth defects is important to guide preventive actions toward modifiable risk factors and target the most susceptible population. In this cross-sectional study we measured the prevalence of major birth defects and associated maternal sociodemographic factors in Foz do Iguassu. Data were collected from a governmental registry and included all births that occurred in the city between 2012 to 2017. The variables measured were maternal education, maternal race, country of residence, maternal parity and onset of prenatal care. Data were analyzed through logistic regression models to verify the maternal sociodemographic factors associated with major birth defects. Results 26,214 births were analyzed; among the 305 birth defects registered, 140 (46%) corresponded to a major birth defect. Cleft lip and/or palate and gastroschisis were the most prevalent major birth defect (9.5/10,000 live births and 6.83/10,000 live births, respectively). Maternal education up to 7 years was the only variable associated with the major birth defects (ORadj=1.58; CI = 1.07-2.33; p = 0.02). Maternal age was associated with gastroschisis (mean: 21.5 years; p = 0.002) and Down syndrome (mean: 33.5 years; p = 0.007). Conclusions In this area, cleft lip and/or palate and gastroschisis are the most common major birth defects, and maternal education is weakly associated with major birth defects. Key messages The epidemiology of major birth defects in this area differs from Brazil’s. Future research should focus on inherent risk factors for congenital defects and exposure to teratogens.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document