Influencing Factors of Understanding COVID-19 Risks and Coping Behaviors among the Elderly Population

Abstract

It is known that the elderly population has weak immune functioning and is a susceptible and high-risk group with respect to the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic. In this study, to understand the influencing factors of COVID-19-related risks and coping behaviors of elderly individuals with respect to COVID-19 and to provide a basis for taking corresponding protective measures, a questionnaire survey was applied to an elderly population. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and linear regression analysis were used to explore the influencing factors of the level of understanding of COVID-19 risks among the elderly population. Additionally, the chi-square test and logistic regression analysis were used to explore the influencing factors of the elderly population’s protective behaviors against COVID-19. This study found: (1) The sex, age, and self-care ability of elderly individuals were significantly correlated with their level of understanding of COVID-19, and that those who were female, were of a younger age, or had better self-care ability had higher levels of understanding; (2) The sex, place of residence, and level of understanding of COVID-19 among the elderly individuals were significantly correlated with their protective behaviors, e.g., those who were women, had high levels of understanding, and lived in cities were more likely to have good behaviors; (3) Elderly individuals’ assessments of COVID-19 information provided by the government were significantly correlated with their protective behaviors—those who had a positive evaluation of relevant information provided by the government were more likely to develop protective behavior. The conclusions of this study show that it is crucial to implement COVID-19 prevention and control measures in the elderly population. Society, communities, and families need to increase their concerns about the health and risk awareness of the elderly individuals.

Adherence with COVID-19 Preventive Measures and Associated Factors Among Residents of Dirashe District, Southern Ethiopia

“… 29 A study conducted in China also reported that being female and young age is significantly correlated with COVID-19 preventive measures. 17 Urban residences increase the odds of adherence with COVID-19 preventive measures by ten-fold. A similar result was reported in a study conducted in northwest Ethiopia where rural residence increases the odds of poor COVID-19 practice by three-fold.…”

“…A similar result was reported in a study conducted in northwest Ethiopia where rural residence increases the odds of poor COVID-19 practice by three-fold. 17 Likewise, a study conducted in China demonstrated that residents who live in cities strongly adhered to the covid-19 protective measures. 17 This may be due to lack of sufficient and accurate information, level of understanding, absence/shortage of media coverage, negligence, low socio-economic status, and low literacy level.…”

“… 16 Being married, high wealth index, good knowledge, being female, old age, better self-care ability, urban residence, high literacy level, government employee, and positive evaluation of the information transmitted by the government are significantly correlated with COVID-19 preventive measures compliance. 13 , 17 …”

COVID-19 in China: Responses, Challenges and Implications for the Health System

“…The COVID-19 outbreak has seriously affected people’s safety and national security. It is essential to prioritize national strategies to take prevention and control as important tasks, defuse major risks, and enhance the ability to prevent and control public health events as an important part of the national governance system and governance capacity [ 31 ]. It is never too late to take full advantage of this experience for pandemic prevention and major risk control in the field of health.…”

The Impact of Social Support on Public Anxiety amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic in China

“…The COVID-19 pandemic, which is characterized by fast transmission and high infectivity, hit Wuhan, China, in December 2019 [1][2][3]. It spread quickly throughout China and beyond [4][5][6][7].…”