Changes in concerns and preventative behaviours of Canadians during the COVID-19 pandemic and their demographic associations

Understanding diversity of views, values, and experiences through audience segmentation are essential elements in effective public health messaging. The present study aims to describe the patterns of preventive behaviours and concerns among Canadians throughout different times of the pandemic, as well as identify demographic characteristics that are associated with these patterns. A probability-based sample of 4,627 Canadians was collected by Statistics Canada to complete COVID-19-related surveys in April 2020 and July 2020. Latent class analysis was used to determine the clusters of concerns and preventive behaviours from 21 variables;a set of chi-square tests were run to determine the demographic association. Six classes emerge with varying levels of concerns and preventive behaviours across both time points, albeit some of the group interpretations have changed. Most notably, one latent group showed very little concern about the pandemic. All groups, including the ones with the least concern, still performed the most basic preventive measures such as washing their hands more often across both times. There were also some notable groups who were concerned about social cohesion on top of concerns for overall population health. Demographic associations appear mixed across time, although men, rural residents, and those with lower education were more likely to be in the group showing the least concerns and fewest preventive behaviours. Novel strategies might be required to reach segments whose concerns might be unaddressed and continually skeptical towards public health messaging for the ongoing vaccine rollouts and future health crisis. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved) (French) La comprehension de la diversite des points de vue, des valeurs et des experiences par la segmentation de l'auditoire est un element essentiel pour assurer l'efficacite des messages de sante publique. Cette etude vise a decrire les modeles de comportements et de preoccupations en matiere de prevention chez les Canadiens a differents moments de la pandemie, ainsi qu'a identifier les caracteristiques demographiques qui sont associees a ces modeles. En avril 2020 et en juillet 2020, Statistique Canada a constitue un echantillon probabiliste de 4 627 Canadiens pour repondre a des enquetes sur la COVID-19. Une analyse de classe latente a ete realisee pour determiner les groupes de preoccupations et les comportements preventifs a partir de 21 variables;une serie de tests du khi carre a ete effectuee pour etablir une correlation demographique. Il en est ressorti six categories comportant divers degres de preoccupations et de comportements preventifs au cours des deux periodes, quoique certaines interpretations de groupe aient change. Plus particulierement, un groupe latent s'est montre tres peu preoccupe par la pandemie. Tous les groupes, y compris ceux qui etaient les moins preoccupes, ont tout de meme applique les mesures preventives les plus elementaires, comme se laver les mains plus souvent au cours des deux periodes. Certains groupes ont notamment place la cohesion sociale en tete de leurs preoccupations sur la sante generale de la population. Les correlations demographiques semblent inegales selon les periodes, bien que les hommes, les habitants des zones rurales et les personnes ayant un faible niveau d'education soient plus susceptibles de faire partie du groupe qui se preoccupe le moins de la sante et adopte le moins de comportements preventifs. De nouvelles strategies pourraient etre necessaires pour atteindre les segments de la population dont les preoccupations pourraient ne pas etre prises en compte et qui restent sceptiques a l'egard des messages de sante publique sur le deploiement de vaccins en cours et les prochaines crises sanitaires. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved) Impact Statement This study contributes to the existing body of work that shows how certain demographics tend to have different patterns of concerns, values, and behaviours at different times during the COVID-19 pandemic. Public health policies need to consider these differences when doing public outreach through tailoring their messages for different subpopulations to increase the messaging's effectiveness. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Frequent public transit users views and attitudes toward cycling in CANADA in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic

Several Canadian cities observed a shift from public transit use to private cars and active transport modes during the COVID-19 pandemic. At a moment where pre-pandemic public transit users are reconsidering their travel options, studies describing their attitudes toward cycling are lacking. Because most trips in urban areas involve short- and mid-range travel, cycling is seen as a promising environmentally sustainable means of transportation. This study aims to describe how pre-pandemic public transit users in Toronto and Vancouver view cycling, including their comfort with available infrastructure, cycling frequency, and perceived barriers to adoption. Data from the Public Transit and COVID-19 Survey, a web-based panel survey of over 3,500 regular transit riders in Toronto and Vancouver administered in May 2020 and April 2021 were analysed. Applying Geller's typology, 70% of participants could be classified as interested but concerned and one fifth as no way no how regarding their comfort levels toward cycling. Women were more likely to be no way no how cyclist type. Weather, lack of safe routes, and having to carry things were the main barriers to cycling in both cities. Our results give insight on who should be targeted by city initiatives aiming to promote changes toward more active modes of transportation. Further studies with a causal design are required to identify possible mitigating strategies to the main barriers to cycling.

Household composition and anxiety symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic: A population-based study.

INTRODUCTION: Household composition may be an important factor associated with anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic as people spend more time at home due to physical distancing and lockdown restrictions. Adults living with children-especially women-may be particularly vulnerable to anxiety as they balance additional childcare responsibilities and homeschooling with work. The objective of this study was to examine the association between household composition and anxiety symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic and explore gender as an effect modifier. METHODS: Data were derived from seven waves of a national online survey of Canadian adults aged 18+ years from May 2020 to March 2021, which used quota sampling by age, gender, and region proportional to the English-speaking Canadian population (n = 7,021). Multivariable logistic and modified least-squares regression models were used. RESULTS: Compared to those living alone, significantly greater odds of anxiety symptoms were observed among single parents/guardians (aOR = 2.00; 95%CI: 1.41-2.84), those living with adult(s) and child(ren) (aOR = 1.39; 95%CI: 1.10-1.76), and those living with adult(s) only (aOR = 1.22; 95%CI: 1.00-1.49). Gender was a significant effect modifier on the additive scale (p = 0.0487) such that the association between living with child(ren) and anxiety symptoms was stronger among men than women. CONCLUSION: Additional tailored supports are needed to address anxiety among adults living with children-especially men-during the COVID-19 pandemic and future infectious disease events.

The health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on adults who experience imprisonment globally: A mixed methods systematic review.

BACKGROUND: The prison setting and health status of people who experience imprisonment increase the risks of COVID-19 infection and sequelae, and other health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. OBJECTIVES: To conduct a mixed methods systematic review on the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the health of people who experience imprisonment. DATA SOURCES: We searched Medline, PsycINFO, Embase, the Cochrane Library, Social Sciences Abstracts, CINAHL, Applied Social Sciences Index and Abstracts, Sociological Abstracts, Sociology Database, Coronavirus Research Database, ERIC, Proquest Dissertations and Theses, Web of Science, and Scopus in October 2021. We reviewed reference lists for included studies. STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: Original research conducted in or after December 2019 on health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on adults in prisons or within three months of release. STUDY APPRAISAL AND SYNTHESIS METHODS: We used the Joanna Briggs Institute's Critical Appraisal Checklist for Qualitative Research for qualitative studies and the Joanna Briggs Institute's Critical Appraisal Checklist for Studies Reporting Prevalence Data for quantitative studies. We qualitized quantitative data and extracted qualitative data, coded data, and collated similar data into categories. RESULTS: We identified 62 studies. People in prisons had disproportionately high rates of COVID-19 infection and COVID-19 mortality. During the pandemic, all-cause mortality worsened, access to health care and other services worsened, and there were major impacts on mental wellbeing and on relationships with family and staff. There was limited evidence regarding key primary and secondary prevention strategies. LIMITATIONS: Our search was limited to databases. As the COVID-19 pandemic is ongoing, more evidence will emerge. CONCLUSIONS: Prisons and people who experience imprisonment should be prioritized for COVID-19 response and recovery efforts, and an explicit focus on prisons is needed for ongoing public health work including emergency preparedness. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: 239324.

Study of the epidemiology of COVID-19 in Ontario elementary and secondary school education workers: an interim analysis following the first school year.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the incidence of SARS-CoV-2 in education workers and the factors associated with infection between March 2020 and July 2021. METHODS: A prospective cohort study of education workers working ≥8 h per week in Ontario, Canada. Participants self-reported results of tests for SARS-CoV-2 and completed online surveys about demographic information, exposures, and vaccinations against SARS-CoV-2. Participants submitted self-collected dried blood spots. Antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 spike, the receptor binding domain of spike, and nucleocapsid were assessed. Multivariable regression was used to assess risk factors for infection. RESULTS: Of 2834 participants, 85% were female, 81% were teaching staff, and 86% had received at least one dose of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. Of the 1983 who had been tested via a respiratory specimen, 4.9% reported a positive test. Five additional participants had serologic testing suggestive of a previous infection (3.6% overall incidence). In multivariable regression analysis, risk factors for infection included exposure to a SARS-CoV-2 infected adult (adjusted incidence rate ratio (aIRR) 13.6; 95% confidence interval 8.6, 21.3) or child (aIRR 2.3; 1.3, 4.2) in the household, or school student (aIRR 1.9; 1.2, 3.2), or travel outside the province within 14 days of testing (aIRR 6.0; 1.5, 23.6). CONCLUSION: In the first 18 months of the pandemic, education workers had a similar risk of infection with SARS-CoV-2 as other Ontario residents. Practicing protective measures whenever any household member has been exposed to a possible case and at all times when exposed to anyone from outside the home would help reduce the risk of infection.

RéSUMé: OBJECTIF: Estimer l'incidence du SRAS-CoV-2 chez les travailleuses et les travailleurs en éducation et les facteurs associés à l'infection entre mars 2020 et juillet 2021. MéTHODE: Étude prospective de cohortes auprès de travailleuses et de travailleurs en éducation travaillant ≥8 heures par semaine en Ontario, au Canada. Les participants ont autodéclaré les résultats de tests de dépistage du SRAS-CoV-2 et répondu à des questionnaires en ligne portant sur leurs données démographiques, leurs expositions au SRAS-CoV-2 et leurs vaccins contre le virus. Les participants ont soumis des gouttes de sang séché autoprélevées. Les anticorps à la protéine S du SRAS-CoV-2, le domaine de liaison aux récepteurs de la protéine S et la nucléocapside ont été évalués. Une régression multivariée a servi à évaluer les facteurs de risque d'infection. RéSULTATS: Sur les 2 834 participants, 85 % étaient des femmes, 81 % étaient des enseignants et 86 % avaient reçu au moins une dose de vaccin contre le SRAS-CoV-2. Sur les 1 983 personnes ayant été testées au moyen d'un prélèvement respiratoire, 4,9 % ont déclaré un test positif. Chez cinq autres participants, un test sérologique a indiqué une infection antérieure (incidence globale de 3,6 %). Selon l'analyse de régression multivariée, les facteurs de risque d'infection étaient l'exposition à un adulte infecté par le SRAS-CoV-2 (rapport de taux d'incidence ajusté [RTIa] 13,6; intervalle de confiance de 95 % 8,6, 21,3) ou à un enfant infecté (RTIa 2,3; 1,3, 4,2) au sein du ménage, l'exposition à un élève infecté (RTIa 1,9; 1,2, 3,2) ou un déplacement hors province dans les 14 jours ayant précédé le test (RTIa 6,0; 1,5, 23,6). CONCLUSION: Au cours des 18 premiers mois de la pandémie, le risque d'infection par le SRAS-CoV-2 chez les travailleuses et les travailleurs en éducation était semblable au risque des autres résidents de l'Ontario. L'application de mesures de protection chaque fois qu'un membre du ménage a été exposé à un cas possible, et en tout temps lorsqu'on est exposé à une personne de l'extérieur du ménage, contribuerait à réduire le risque d'infection.

Age differences in the association between loneliness and anxiety symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Loneliness and associated mental health problems are of particular concern during the COVID-19 pandemic due to physical distancing and lockdown restrictions. Loneliness is most common among young adults and women during the pandemic, but it is unclear if the association between loneliness and mental health problems, notably anxiety, is strongest in these groups. The objective of this study was to examine whether the association between loneliness and anxiety differed by age and/or gender during the pandemic. We analyzed data from a multi-wave national online survey of Canadians aged 18+ years from May 2020 to March 2021 (n = 7,021). Multivariable modified least-squares regression was used to examine whether the association between loneliness and moderate to severe anxiety symptoms (GAD-7 10+) differed by age and/or gender on the additive scale, controlling for socio-demographic factors, depression, hopefulness, and survey wave. Age significantly moderated the association between loneliness and anxiety symptoms while gender did not. Loneliness was associated with anxiety symptoms for all age groups, but the association was not as strong among those aged 70+ years compared to other age groups. Evidence-based loneliness interventions that target younger adults are needed to mitigate the mental health effects of infectious disease events such as COVID-19.