O'Connell Caitlin P, Johnson Kimberly J, Kinzer Hannah, Olagoke Ayokunle, Weng Olivia, Kreuter Matthew W
Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA.
School of Health and Kinesiology, University of Nebraska at Omaha, NE 68182, USA.
Prev Med Rep. 2023 Aug;34:102251. doi: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2023.102251. Epub 2023 May 19.
Studies examining individual-level changes in protective behaviors over time in association with community-level infection and self or close-contact infection with SARS-CoV-2 are limited. We analyzed overall and demographic specific week-to-week changes in COVID-19 protective behaviors and their association with COVID-19 infections (regional case counts and self or close contacts). Data were collected through 37 consecutive weekly surveys from 10/17/2021 - 6/26/2022. Our survey panel included 212 individuals living or working in St. Louis City and County, Missouri, U.S.A. Frequency of mask-wearing, handwashing, physical distancing, and avoiding large gatherings was self-reported (more/the same/less than the prior week). Close contact with COVID-19 was reported if the panel member, their household member, or their close contact tested positive, got sick, or was hospitalized for COVID-19 in the prior week. Regional weekly COVID-19 case counts were matched to the closest survey administration date. We used generalized linear mixed models to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for associations. Evidence for effect modification was assessed using the likelihood ratio test. Increased protective behaviors were positively associated with COVID-19 case counts (OR = 4.39, 95% CI 3.35-5.74) and with participant-reported self or close contacts with COVID-19 (OR = 5.10, 95% CI 3.88-6.70). Stronger associations were found for White vs. Black panel members (p <.0001). Individuals modulated their protective behaviors in association with regional COVID-19 case counts and self or close contact infection. Rapid reporting and widespread public awareness of infectious disease rates may help reduce transmission during a pandemic by increasing protective behaviors.
关于随着时间推移，个体层面的防护行为变化与社区层面感染以及个体自身或密切接触者感染新冠病毒之间关系的研究较为有限。我们分析了新冠疫情防护行为的总体及特定人口统计学特征的逐周变化，以及这些变化与新冠病毒感染（地区病例数以及个体自身或密切接触者感染情况）之间的关联。数据通过2021年10月17日至2022年6月26日连续37周的调查收集。我们的调查对象包括212名生活或工作在美国密苏里州圣路易斯市及县的个体。佩戴口罩、洗手、保持社交距离以及避免参加大型聚会的频率由调查对象自行报告（比前一周更多/相同/更少）。如果调查对象、其家庭成员或其密切接触者在前一周新冠病毒检测呈阳性、生病或因新冠病毒住院，则报告为密切接触新冠病毒。将地区每周的新冠病例数与最接近的调查管理日期进行匹配。我们使用广义线性混合模型来估计关联的比值比（OR）和95%置信区间（CI）。使用似然比检验评估效应修正的证据。防护行为的增加与新冠病例数呈正相关（OR = 4.39，95% CI 3.35 - 5.74），也与参与者报告的自身或密切接触新冠病毒情况呈正相关（OR = 5.10，95% CI 3.88 - 6.70）。在白人调查对象与黑人调查对象之间发现了更强的关联（p <.0001）。个体根据地区新冠病例数以及自身或密切接触者感染情况调整其防护行为。快速报告和广泛的公众对传染病发病率的认知可能有助于通过增加防护行为来减少大流行期间的传播。
