ABSTRACT
Background: Those with diabetes were at a higher risk of experiencing severe illness in the event of contracting COVID‐19. Did they therefore act more cautiously?Method: The Imperial ‘COVID‐19 Behavioural Tracker’ details the results of regular surveying on attitudes surrounding COVID‐19 guidance. Results from UK participants to questions reflecting willingness to adhere to important recommendations regarding everyday behaviour were examined. Responses from those with diabetes were compared to those stating none of a list of pre‐existing health conditions. The effect of gender and age was examined.Results: Respondents with diabetes showed higher willingness to follow guidance than those with no health conditions. Compliance varied over time;willingness to self‐isolate remained high throughout, while willingness to avoid shopping, avoid going out, or avoid large gatherings rose in winter months. Greater adherence was seen in older age ranges, and in females, for both those with diabetes and healthy respondents. A logistic regression underlined the influence of gender, showing it as the most important variable influencing willingness to follow guidance.Discussion: The results underline that interrelating factors influence health behaviour decisions. The results suggest that those with diabetes are likely to listen to advice provided to them by health care professionals. Copyright © 2022 John Wiley & Sons.