Baig Mirza M, Besser Lilah M, Tolea Magdalena I, Kleiman Michael J, Chang Lun-Ching, O'Shea Deirdre M, Chrisphonte Stephanie, Wiese Lisa K, Galvin James E
Department of Neurology, Comprehensive Center for Brain Health, University of Miami, Boca Raton, FL, United States.
Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, United States.
Front Public Health. 2025 Jul 9;13:1608352. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2025.1608352. eCollection 2025.
The extant literature is limited regarding the correlates of COVID-19 worry and preventive measures among diverse, older adults following the peak of the pandemic. Purpose of the study is to determine the correlates of post-COVID-19 pandemic worry and preventive practices (i.e., social distancing, masking) among older adults.
In 2022-2024, we conducted a cross-sectional survey of COVID-19 preventive behaviors, concerns, beliefs, and trusted sources of information in older adults in rural and urban/suburban settings in south-central Florida. A convenience sample of 522 English-speaking participants age 60 years or older were recruited using word-of-mouth, flyers, and recruitment events in urban, suburban, and rural settings. Comparisons were made for COVID-19 worry and preventive practices across key sociodemographic variables (e.g., age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, vaccination status, residence, and COVID-19 testing history) using multivariable linear and logistic regression models.
Participants (mean age 72 ± 9 years) were predominantly women (73%), Black (74%), and rural residents (57%). Greater COVID-19 worry was higher among participants who were younger, women, less educated, vaccinated, rural residents, never testing positive for COVID-19, and trusted authorities for health information. Black and Hispanic participants, as well as vaccinated individuals, were more likely to mask in public, while women and Black and Hispanic participants were more likely to practice social distancing.
Post-COVID-19 pandemic worry and preventive practices were correlated with demographics, vaccination status, and trust in health authorities. The findings underscore the importance of targeted public health messaging and interventions that consider the distinct needs and concerns of diverse older adult populations. This study's explicit focus on sociodemographic differences provides valuable insights for designing more effective pandemic preparedness and response strategies tailored to vulnerable and diverse communities.
关于疫情高峰期后不同老年人群体中新冠病毒担忧情绪及预防措施的相关研究，现有文献有限。本研究的目的是确定新冠疫情后老年人群体中新冠病毒担忧情绪及预防措施（即社交距离、佩戴口罩）的相关因素。
在2022 - 2024年期间，我们对佛罗里达州中南部农村和城市/郊区的老年人进行了一项关于新冠病毒预防行为、担忧情绪、信念以及可靠信息来源的横断面调查。通过口碑、传单以及在城市、郊区和农村地区举办招募活动，选取了522名60岁及以上讲英语的参与者作为便利样本。使用多变量线性和逻辑回归模型，对关键社会人口统计学变量（如年龄、性别、种族/民族、教育程度、疫苗接种状况、居住地以及新冠病毒检测史）在新冠病毒担忧情绪和预防措施方面进行比较。
参与者（平均年龄72±9岁）主要为女性（73%）、黑人（74%）和农村居民（57%）。年龄较小、女性、受教育程度较低、接种过疫苗、农村居民、从未新冠病毒检测呈阳性以及信任卫生信息官方机构的参与者，对新冠病毒的担忧程度更高。黑人及西班牙裔参与者以及接种过疫苗的个体在公共场合更有可能佩戴口罩，而女性以及黑人及西班牙裔参与者更有可能保持社交距离。
新冠疫情后新冠病毒担忧情绪和预防措施与人口统计学、疫苗接种状况以及对卫生当局的信任相关。研究结果强调了针对性公共卫生信息传播和干预措施的重要性，这些措施应考虑不同老年人群体的独特需求和担忧。本研究对社会人口统计学差异的明确关注，为设计更有效的针对弱势群体和多样化社区的大流行防范及应对策略提供了宝贵见解。
