scholarly journals Preventive behaviours and family inequalities during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study in China

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yisheng Ye ◽  
Ruijun Wu ◽  
Yao Ge ◽  
Tao Wang ◽  
Xin Yao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Household Income ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Western China ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Inhibiting Effect ◽  
Household Factors ◽  
Household Crowding ◽  
High Household Income

Abstract Background The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is an international public health threat, and people's participation in disease-related preventive behaviours is the key to controlling infectious diseases. This study aimed to assess the differences in adopting preventive behaviours among populations to explore potential individual and household factors and inequalities within families. Methods This online survey was conducted in April 2020. The directional stratified convenient sampling method was used to select 4704 participants from eight provinces in eastern, central, and western China. The questionnaire included demographic information, household variables, and five target prevention behaviours. The chi-squared test, binary multilevel model, and Mantel–Haenszel hierarchical analysis were used for data analysis in the study. Results Approximately 71.2% of the participants had appropriate outdoor prevention, and 32.9% of the participants had indoor protection in place. Sharing behaviours (P < 0.001) and education level (P < 0.001) were positively associated with adopting preventive measures. The inhibiting effect of household crowding and stimulating effect of high household income on preventive behaviours were determined in this study. Household size was negatively associated with living area (β = -0.057, P < 0.05) and living style (β = -0.077, P < 0.05). Household income was positively associated with age (β = 0.023, P < 0.05), and relationship with friends (β = 0.053, P < 0.05). Vulnerable groups, such as older adults or women, are more likely to have inadequate preventive behaviours. Older adults (OR = 1.53, 95% CI 1.09–2.15), women (OR = 1.37, 95% CI 1.15–1.64), and those with more than 2 suspected symptoms (OR = 1.85, 95% CI 1.07–3.19) were more likely to be affected by the inhibiting effect of household crowding, while the stimulating effect of high household income was limited in these groups. Conclusions Inequalities in COVID-19 prevention behaviours exist between families and inadequate adoption of prevention by vulnerable groups are noteworthy. This study expands the research perspective by emphasizing the role of household factors in preventive behaviours and by focusing on family inequalities. The government should use traditional media as a platform to enhance residents’ public health knowledge. Targeted additional wage subsidies, investments in affordable housing, financial support for multigenerational households, and temporary relocation policies may deserve more attention. Communities could play a critical role in COVID-19 prevention. Graphical abstract

Active Aging and Public Health: Evidence, Implications, and Opportunities

2021 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shilpa Dogra ◽  
David W. Dunstan ◽  
Takemi Sugiyama ◽  
Afroditi Stathi ◽  
Paul A. Gardiner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Engagement ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Annual Review ◽  
Publication Date ◽  
Active Aging ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Public Health Challenges

By 2050, 20% of the world's population will be over the age of 65 years, with projections that 80% of older adults will be living in low- to middle-income countries. Physical inactivity and sedentary time are particularly high in older adults, presenting unique public health challenges. In this article, we first review evidence that points to multiple beneficial outcomes of active aging, including better physical function, cognitive function, mental health, social health, and sleep and suggest the need to shift the research focus from chronic disease outcomes to more relevant outcomes that affect independence and quality of life. Second, we review the critical role of age-friendly environments in facilitating active aging equitably across different countries and cultures. Finally, we consider emerging opportunities related to social engagement and technology-enabled mobility that can facilitate active aging. In all these contexts, it is a priority to understand and address diversity within the global aging population. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Public Health, Volume 43 is April 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.

scholarly journals Knowledge About COVID-19 Among Adults in China: Cross-sectional Online Survey (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fengyun Yu ◽  
Pascal Geldsetzer ◽  
Anne Meierkord ◽  
Juntao Yang ◽  
Qiushi Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Household Income ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Western China ◽  
Care Seeking ◽  
Sampling Weights ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Recommended Care ◽  
Care Seeking Behavior ◽  
Seeking Behavior

BACKGROUND A detailed understanding of the public’s knowledge and perceptions of COVID-19 could inform governments’ public health actions in response to the pandemic. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to determine the knowledge and perceptions of COVID-19 among adults in China and its variation among provinces and by sociodemographic characteristics. METHODS Between May 8 and June 8, 2020, we conducted a cross-sectional online survey among adults in China who were registered with the private survey company KuRunData. We set a target sample size of 10,000 adults, aiming to sample 300-360 adults from each province in China. Participants were asked 25 questions that tested their knowledge about COVID-19, including measures to prevent infection, common symptoms, and recommended care-seeking behavior. We disaggregated responses by age; sex; education; province; household income; rural–urban residency; and whether or not a participant had a family member, friend, or acquaintance who they know to have been infected with SARS-CoV-2. All analyses used survey sampling weights. RESULTS There were 5079 men and 4921 women who completed the questionnaire and were included in the analysis. Out of 25 knowledge questions, participants answered a mean and median of 21.4 (95% CI 21.3-21.4) and 22 (IQR 20-23) questions correctly, respectively. A total of 83.4% (95% CI 82.7%-84.1%) of participants answered four-fifths or more of the questions correctly. For at least one of four ineffective prevention measures (using a hand dryer, regular nasal irrigation, gargling mouthwash, and taking antibiotics), 68.9% (95% CI 68.0%-69.8%) of participants answered that it was an effective method to prevent a SARS-CoV-2 infection. Although knowledge overall was similar across provinces, the percent of participants who answered the question on recommended care-seeking behavior correctly varied from 47.0% (95% CI 41.4%-52.7%) in Tibet to 87.5% (95% CI 84.1%-91.0%) in Beijing. Within provinces, participants who were male, were middle-aged, were residing in urban areas, and had higher household income tended to answer a higher proportion of the knowledge questions correctly. CONCLUSIONS This online study of individuals across China suggests that the majority of the population has good knowledge of COVID-19. However, a substantial proportion still holds misconceptions or incorrect beliefs about prevention methods and recommended health care–seeking behaviors, especially in rural areas and some less wealthy provinces in Western China. This study can inform the development of tailored public health policies and promotion campaigns by identifying knowledge areas for which misconceptions are comparatively common and provinces that have relatively low knowledge.

scholarly journals Knowledge About COVID-19 Among Adults in China: Cross-sectional Online Survey

10.2196/26940 ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. e26940
Author(s):  
Fengyun Yu ◽  
Pascal Geldsetzer ◽  
Anne Meierkord ◽  
Juntao Yang ◽  
Qiushi Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Household Income ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Western China ◽  
Care Seeking ◽  
Sampling Weights ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Recommended Care ◽  
Care Seeking Behavior ◽  
Seeking Behavior

Background A detailed understanding of the public’s knowledge and perceptions of COVID-19 could inform governments’ public health actions in response to the pandemic. Objective The aim of this study was to determine the knowledge and perceptions of COVID-19 among adults in China and its variation among provinces and by sociodemographic characteristics. Methods Between May 8 and June 8, 2020, we conducted a cross-sectional online survey among adults in China who were registered with the private survey company KuRunData. We set a target sample size of 10,000 adults, aiming to sample 300-360 adults from each province in China. Participants were asked 25 questions that tested their knowledge about COVID-19, including measures to prevent infection, common symptoms, and recommended care-seeking behavior. We disaggregated responses by age; sex; education; province; household income; rural–urban residency; and whether or not a participant had a family member, friend, or acquaintance who they know to have been infected with SARS-CoV-2. All analyses used survey sampling weights. Results There were 5079 men and 4921 women who completed the questionnaire and were included in the analysis. Out of 25 knowledge questions, participants answered a mean and median of 21.4 (95% CI 21.3-21.4) and 22 (IQR 20-23) questions correctly, respectively. A total of 83.4% (95% CI 82.7%-84.1%) of participants answered four-fifths or more of the questions correctly. For at least one of four ineffective prevention measures (using a hand dryer, regular nasal irrigation, gargling mouthwash, and taking antibiotics), 68.9% (95% CI 68.0%-69.8%) of participants answered that it was an effective method to prevent a SARS-CoV-2 infection. Although knowledge overall was similar across provinces, the percent of participants who answered the question on recommended care-seeking behavior correctly varied from 47.0% (95% CI 41.4%-52.7%) in Tibet to 87.5% (95% CI 84.1%-91.0%) in Beijing. Within provinces, participants who were male, were middle-aged, were residing in urban areas, and had higher household income tended to answer a higher proportion of the knowledge questions correctly. Conclusions This online study of individuals across China suggests that the majority of the population has good knowledge of COVID-19. However, a substantial proportion still holds misconceptions or incorrect beliefs about prevention methods and recommended health care–seeking behaviors, especially in rural areas and some less wealthy provinces in Western China. This study can inform the development of tailored public health policies and promotion campaigns by identifying knowledge areas for which misconceptions are comparatively common and provinces that have relatively low knowledge.

Subthreshold Depression in Older Adults: Epidemiology, Illness Course, and Public Health Implications

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. W. Meeks ◽  
I. V. Vahia ◽  
H. Lavretsky ◽  
G. Kulkarni ◽  
D. V. Jeste
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Subthreshold Depression ◽  
Health Implications

Multiple Physical Symptoms of Community-Dwelling Older People in Western China: Prevalence and Its Association with Frailty

Gerontology ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Shuli Jia ◽  
Wanyu Zhao ◽  
Yan Zhang ◽  
Lisha Hou ◽  
Xin Xia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Multinomial Logistic Regression ◽  
Physical Symptoms ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Western China ◽  
Musculoskeletal Symptoms ◽  
Frailty Phenotype ◽  
The Past ◽  
Organ Systems ◽  
Multiple Symptoms

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Physical symptoms and frailty are common in older adults. A previous study has reported that multiple somatic symptoms are associated with frailty. In this study, we aimed to describe the picture of physical symptoms in older adults in western China and examine the relationship of multiple physical symptoms and frailty, as well as the sex difference of this relationship. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Cross-sectional analyses were based on the West China Health and Aging Trend (WCHAT) study comprising 4,106 community-dwelling older adults (60–95 years). Frailty was assessed using the physical frailty phenotype (PFP). Participants’ experience of 28 different physical symptoms in the past 4 weeks was assessed. Physical symptoms were divided into several categories according to organ systems. Multinomial logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the association between frailty and multiple physical symptoms. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Nearly half of the subjects reported experiencing at least 1 physical symptom during the past 4 weeks. Musculoskeletal symptoms were the most prevalent symptoms. More than 5 physical symptoms were more likely to be frailty, even when all covariates were controlled. A significant association between multiple musculoskeletal symptoms and frailty also was found after adjusted for all covariates and multiple symptoms of other organ systems. Similar results were obtained for multiple cardiopulmonary symptoms. Furthermore, there were sex differences in these relationships. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Multiple physical symptoms appear to have a detrimental impact on frailty in older adults. Compared with counting total symptoms, multiple symptoms of the same organ system may have a greater impact on frailty. Effective interventions and management of multiple physical symptoms are warranted to prevent frailty.

scholarly journals Prevalence of High Resilience in Old Age and Association with Perceived Threat of COVID-19—Results from a Representative Survey

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (13) ◽  
pp. 7173
Author(s):  
Elena Caroline Weitzel ◽  
Margrit Löbner ◽  
Susanne Röhr ◽  
Alexander Pabst ◽  
Ulrich Reininghaus ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Perceived Threat ◽  
Representative Survey ◽  
Resilience Scale ◽  
Perception Of Threat ◽  
Younger Age ◽  
Demographic Correlates ◽  
Education Levels

Little is known about resilience in old age and its manifestation during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of high resilience in the German old age population. We further examine the socio-demographic correlates and whether high resilience reflects on older adults’ perception of the threat posed by COVID-19. The data were derived from a representative telephone survey of n = 1005 older adults (≥65 years) during the first COVID-19 lockdown. Assessments included socio-demographic variables, the perceived threat of COVID-19, and high resilience (Brief Resilience Scale; cutoff: ≥4.31). The association between high resilience and threat from COVID-19 was analyzed using ordinal logistic regression. The study sample had a mean age (SD) of 75.5 (7.1) years, and n = 566 (56.3%) were female. The estimated prevalence of high resilience was 18.7% (95% CI = [16.3; 21.2]). High resilience was more prevalent in the younger age group and participants with higher education levels. High resilience was significantly associated with a lower perception of threat from COVID-19. The results of the representative survey in the German old age population showed that one out of five adults aged 65 years and older had high resilience. Older adults with high resilience tended to feel less threatened by COVID-19. Further research on resilience in old age is needed to support vulnerable groups in the context of care.

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