ABSTRACT
Background: ''Long COVID'' a condition that occurs when individuals with a confirmed COVID-19 infection experience long-term effects which cannot be explained by an alternative diagnosis, primarily affects women. Women are frequently the decision makers regarding health-related actions in their families;therefore, their intent to carry out health-related behaviors is likely to affect the adoption of health behaviors for their families as well. To date, only 51% of U.S. adults indicated that they were somewhat or very worried about Long COVID. Since the most likely way to prevent Long COVID is to prevent COVID-19 (re)infection, COVID-19 preventive measures may also help prevent the spread of Long COVID. Objective(s): In a sample of women, examine associations among demographics, COVID-19 diagnosis/COVID-19 vaccination status, Long COVID-related beliefs, and willingness to carry out preventive behaviors. Method(s): Panel survey firm Qualtrics was used to recruit a sample of N= 311 English-speaking U.S. women. The Health Belief Model (HBM) was used as a theoretical lens. Result(s): Black women were more likely to comply with COVID-19 protective measures of wearing masks (p < .001) and testing before attending an event (p = .049) than White women. Among this sample of women, HBM constructs added significantly to the regression models, especially susceptibility to Long COVID and self-efficacy to wear a mask and test for COVID-19. In addition, perceived benefits of mask-wearing (p < .001), testing before an event (p = .002), and getting a vaccine booster (p = .001) predicted intent to carry out these actions. Perceived severity of Long COVID did not significantly predict adherence to preventive behaviors. Conclusion(s): Further education is needed on the severity of Long COVID and its potential consequences. Public health messaging about Long COVID may be an effective means of increasing COVID-19 preventive behaviors that are effective against both COVID-19 and Long COVID.
ABSTRACT
Background and Purpose: Until a vaccine is widely available, adherence to COVID-19 preventive behaviors is the most effective way to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. While there is a general paucity of information on COVID-19 infection and its impact on cancer patients, immunocompromised individuals, such as cancer patients, are likely at greater risk for both COVID-19 morbidity and mortality. In addition, a cancer diagnosis can cause stress, anxiety, depression, psychological distress, and poor quality of life. While the recommendations for COVID-19 parallel the common recommendations for managing infection risk, the enhanced social isolation and limited social distancing can be even more difficult for patients resulting in increased risk for psychological distress and deteriorations in health outcomes. Depressive disorders frequently result in substantial functional impairment, as well as increased emotional, economic, and productivity costs. It is important to understand how the COVID-19 pandemic impacts psychological and psychosocial factors, as well as health behaviors of cancer patients and survivors, and how various contextual factors may play risk and protective roles. The purpose of this study, therefore, is to determine differences in stress, mental health and coping behaviors, and adherence to COVID-19 preventive behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic among three groups of adults (in active cancer treatment, cancer survivors, and those without a history of cancer). This study focuses on determining how sociodemographic characteristics and cancer status influence COVID-19 mental health/coping mechanisms, as well as how mental health/coping mechanisms and cancer status may predict adherence to preventive COVID-19 behaviors. Methods: Panel survey firm Qualtrics was used to administer an online survey among 897 U.S. adults in May of 2020. Quota sampling was utilized to ensure a sample consisting of approximately one-third: cancer patients currently in treatment (32.0%, n = 287), cancer survivors not currently in treatment (33.6%, n=301), and respondents with no cancer history (34.4%, n = 309). Survey items assessed demographic variables, depression, coping, and adherence to COVID-19 preventive behaviors. Results and Discussion: Preliminary analyses show that cancer patients report higher levels of depressive symptoms than survivors and the control group. In addition, cancer patients in active treatment use both avoidance and approach-focused coping more frequently than both survivors and the control group. Regression analyses show that avoidance coping predicts lower adherence to COVID-19 preventive behaviors, while approach-focused coping predicts higher adherence. Analyses are ongoing.
ABSTRACT
Purpose: To determine patterns of and factors associated with COVID-19-related preventive behaviors practiced by cancer survivors. Methods: Participants (N=897) were recruited through a commercial survey administration and sampling company, Qualtrics, in June 2020. Quota sampling was utilized to ensure the sample would consist of approximately one-third of cancer patients currently in treatment, one-third of cancer survivors not currently in treatment, and one-third of individuals without a history of cancer. Survey items collected information on socio-demographic characteristics (age, gender, race, and education attainment) and COVID-19-related preventive behaviors in the past week. Eight items focused on handwashing, avoiding contact with sick people, staying home when feeling sick, respiratory hygiene, avoiding touching face, social distancing, avoiding large gatherings, and wearing a mask were reported on a 4-point Likert scale (never to frequently). Differences between groups were assessed using one-way ANOVAs with Tukey post hoc tests. Results: Respondents were 49.6 years (SD=17.3) on average, 51.6% female, and 48.9% had a Bachelor's degree or higher education attainment. Most respondents were White (66.7%), with 16.8% Black and 16.5% Hispanic participants. Those with no history of cancer were more likely to avoid someone ill (p<.01) and stay home when sick (p<.001) than cancer survivors not currently in treatment. However, survivors were less likely to stay home when sick than cancer patients in treatment (p=001) and less likely to avoid touching their face (p<.05) than those with no cancer history. Analyses are ongoing and will explore factors related to COVID-19 preventive behaviors within each group. Conclusions: There are differences in COVID-19-related preventive behaviors by cancer status. Future research should examine the factors underlying these differences and adapt prevention efforts using this information.