Surprising Gendered Age Differences in Rural Malawians’ Early COVID-19 Pandemic Prevention Efforts

Abstract

Objectives We assess how age, the presence of mature adults aged 45+ years, and recent deaths in rural households are associated with COVID-19 preventative actions and the likelihood of getting vaccinated against the virus in Malawi during early stages of the pandemic. Methods We draw upon data from 2,187 rural Malawians who participated in a 2020 COVID-19 Phone Survey. We estimate the log odds of engaging in “low-cost” and “high-cost” COVID-19 preventative actions based on age, gender, household composition, and recent household deaths. Low-cost prevention efforts were washing hands with soap and water frequently, avoiding close contact with people when going out, and avoiding shaking hands. High-cost actions included staying at home and decreasing time spent close to people not living in their household. We also estimate the chances of acquiring the COVID-19 vaccine in early stages of its availability. Results Mature women (45+ years) in general and younger men (<45 years)—living with at least one mature adult in the household—were less likely than others to comply with low-cost actions. Mature men were more likely than younger men (<45 years) to take on high-cost actions. To some extent, individuals who experienced a recent family death were more likely to engage in high-cost COVID-19 preventative actions, as well as getting vaccinated. Discussion Gendered age differences in preventing the transmission of COVID-19 offer hints of larger, social norms affecting protective efforts. The analyses also inform future COVID-19 public health outreach efforts in Malawi and other rural SSA contexts.