"Did You Wash Your Hands?" The Socioeconomic Inequalities Preventing Youth From Adopting Protective Behaviors During COVID-19 in South Africa.
Health Promot Pract
; : 15248399231166713, 2023 Apr 15.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2305640
ABSTRACT
Background. Behavior change has been a critical factor in slowing the spread of COVID-19. In South Africa where infection rates are high, research is needed on the protective behaviors adopted by youth who have low infection rates but are carriers of the virus. Aims. The purpose of this study is to (1) identify the protective behaviors young people adopted during the pandemic and (2) to estimate the probability of positive behavior change by demographic and socioeconomic characteristics. Methods. The study uses data from the South African National Income Dynamics-Coronavirus Rapid Mobile Survey 2020. The sample includes 985 (n) youth aged 15-24 years. The outcome of interest is behavior change due to the Coronavirus. Cross-tabulations and an adjusted binary logistic regression model showing odds ratios, are fit to the data. Results. Not all youth adopted protective behaviors. The most prevalent behaviors adopted include washing hands (67.75%) and staying at home (54.02%). Youth in households with six or more members are more likely to change their behaviors (ORs = 1.67 and 1.64, both p-values < .05). However, youth who do not have access to water to wash hands (OR = 0.71), reside in households with food insecurity (OR = 0.94), and those living in nonformal housing (OR = 0.69) are less likely to adopt behavior change. Conclusion. Due to the socioeconomic inequalities associated with behavior change, there is need for more tailored approaches to address youth living in impoverished households in the country.
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Type of study:
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
/
Randomized controlled trials
Language:
English
Journal:
Health Promot Pract
Journal subject:
Public Health
Year:
2023
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
15248399231166713
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