Peiyi Lu1, Dexia Kong2, Mack Shelley1. 1. 1177Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA. 2. Institute for Health, Health Care Policy and Aging Research, 242612Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA.
Abstract
Objectives: This study investigated the predictors of risk perception and its effect on older adults' preventive behavior and/or medical care avoidance during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Older respondents (age >50 years) from the MIT COVID-19 Preventive Health Survey reported their social distancing, hand washing, mask wearing, and medical care avoidance between July and October 2020 (n = 4395). Structural equation models were used. Results: Significant predictors of higher risk perception were female gender, older age, poorer health, city residency, personally knowing someone who had COVID-19, and correct knowledge of vaccine/treatment. Higher risk perception was subsequently associated with higher frequency/probability of practicing preventive behavior and/or avoiding medical care. Knowledge had the strongest path coefficient with risk perception. Discussion: Disseminating correct information to older adults could help them evaluate infection risk accurately. Educational programs on the precautions implemented at clinical settings to ensure patient safety may encourage older adults to seek timely medical care.
Objectives: This study investigated the predictors of risk perception and its effect on older adults' preventive behavior and/or medical care avoidance during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Older respondents (age >50 years) from the MIT COVID-19 Preventive Health Survey reported their social distancing, hand washing, mask wearing, and medical care avoidance between July and October 2020 (n = 4395). Structural equation models were used. Results: Significant predictors of higher risk perception were female gender, older age, poorer health, city residency, personally knowing someone who had COVID-19, and correct knowledge of vaccine/treatment. Higher risk perception was subsequently associated with higher frequency/probability of practicing preventive behavior and/or avoiding medical care. Knowledge had the strongest path coefficient with risk perception. Discussion: Disseminating correct information to older adults could help them evaluate infection risk accurately. Educational programs on the precautions implemented at clinical settings to ensure patient safety may encourage older adults to seek timely medical care.
Entities:
Keywords:
COVID-19; medical care avoidance; preventive behavior; risk perception
Authors: Sally B Coburn; Elizabeth Humes; Raynell Lang; Cameron Stewart; Brenna C Hogan; Kelly A Gebo; Sonia Napravnik; Jessie K Edwards; Lindsay E Browne; Lesley S Park; Amy C Justice; Kirsha S Gordon; Michael A Horberg; Julia M Certa; Eric Watson; Celeena R Jefferson; Michael J Silverberg; Jacek Skarbinski; Wendy A Leyden; Carolyn F Williams; Keri N Althoff Journal: JAMA Netw Open Date: 2022-06-01
Authors: Nathalie Maehl; Markus Bleckwenn; Steffi G Riedel-Heller; Sebastian Mehlhorn; Stefan Lippmann; Tobias Deutsch; Anne Schrimpf Journal: Front Med (Lausanne) Date: 2021-12-15
Authors: Sally B Coburn; Elizabeth Humes; Raynell Lang; Cameron Stewart; Brenna C Hogan; Kelly A Gebo; Sonia Napravnik; Jessie K Edwards; Lindsay E Browne; Lesley S Park; Amy C Justice; Kirsha Gordon; Michael A Horberg; Julia M Certa; Eric Watson; Celeena R Jefferson; Michael Silverberg; Jacek Skarbinski; Wendy A Leyden; Carolyn F Williams; Keri N Althoff Journal: medRxiv Date: 2021-12-05
Authors: Kristie E N Clarke; Jefferson M Jones; Yangyang Deng; Elise Nycz; Adam Lee; Ronaldo Iachan; Adi V Gundlapalli; Aron J Hall; Adam MacNeil Journal: MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep Date: 2022-04-29 Impact factor: 35.301
Authors: Patrícia Soares; Andreia Leite; Sara Esteves; Ana Gama; Pedro Almeida Laires; Marta Moniz; Ana Rita Pedro; Cristina Mendes Santos; Ana Rita Goes; Carla Nunes; Sónia Dias Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-12-15 Impact factor: 3.390