Precautionary behaviours of individuals with multimorbidity during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Studies show that older individuals with multimorbidity are more susceptible to develop a more severe case of COVID-19 when infected by the virus. These individuals are more likely to be admitted to Intensive Care Units and to die from COVID-19-related conditions than younger individuals or those without multimorbidity. This research aimed to assess whether there are differences in terms of precautionary behaviours between individuals aged 50 + with multimorbidity and their counterparts without multimorbidity residing in 25 European countries plus Israel. We used data from the SHARE-COVID19 questionnaire on the socio-demographic and economic characteristics, multimorbidity, and precautionary behaviours of individuals. SHARE wave 8 and 7 databases were also used to fully identify individuals with multimorbidity. Our results showed that individuals with multimorbidity were more likely to exhibit precautionary behaviours than their counterparts without multimorbidity when gender, age, education, financial distress and countries were included as controls. Additionally, we found that women, more educated individuals and those experiencing more financial distress adopt more protective behaviours than their counterparts. Our results also indicate that the prevalence of precautionary behaviours is higher in Spain and Italy and lower in Denmark, Finland and Sweden. To guarantee the adoption of preventive actions against COVID-19, public health messaging and actions must continue to be disseminated among middle and older aged persons with multimorbidity, and more awareness campaigns should be targeted at men and less educated individuals but also at persons experiencing less financial distress, particularly in countries where people engaged in fewer precautionary behaviours.

COVID-19 precautionary behaviors and vaccine acceptance among older individuals: The role of close kin

“…Although these have been presented as general guidelines for everyone, individuals at greater risk of hospitalization and death when infected by the coronavirus, such as older individuals, have been particularly encouraged to adopt precautionary health behaviors during all phases of the pandemic ( 5 – 10 ). Monitoring and understanding compliance with COVID-19 preventive behaviors have thus become a prime target for research since the beginning of the pandemic ( 11 – 18 ).…”

“…Even among older adults, who are at the highest risk of COVID-19 complications, studies have shown that not all individuals follow the recommended precautionary behaviors ( 11 – 12 ) and/or are vaccinated or willing to be vaccinated ( 23 – 26 ). Individual sociodemographic characteristics such as gender and education and health conditions are associated with both the adoption of precautionary health behaviors ( 14 – 18 ) and vaccine acceptance ( 27 – 30 ). For example, highly educated individuals and those in poorer health conditions were more likely to follow the guidelines and get vaccinated, while a gender “paradox” emerged ( 37 , 38 ): Women are more likely to adopt precautionary behaviors but less likely to accept COVID-19 vaccines.…”