Determinants of COVID-19 preventive behaviours among adults with chronic diseases in the USA: an analysis of the nationally representative COVID-19 impact survey

Islam, Jessica Y.; Vidot, Denise C.; Camacho-Rivera, Marlene

BACKGROUND: Preventive behaviours have been recommended to control the spread of SARS-CoV-2. Adults with chronic diseases (CDs) are at higher risk of COVID-19-related mortality compared to the general population. Our objective was to evaluate adherence to COVID-19 preventive behaviours among adults without CDs compared with those with CDs and identify determinants of non-adherence to COVID-19 preventive behaviours. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: We used data from the nationally representative COVID-19 Impact Survey (n=10 760) conducted in the USA. PRIMARY MEASURES: Adults with CDs were categorised based on a self-reported diagnosis of diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease/heart attack/stroke, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bronchitis or emphysema, cystic fibrosis, liver disease, compromised immune system, or cancer (54%). RESULTS: Compared with adults without CDs, adults with CDs were more likely to adhere to preventive behaviours including wearing a face mask (χ(2)-p<0.001), social distancing (χ(2)-p<0.001), washing or sanitising hands (χ(2)-p<0.001), and avoiding some or all restaurants (χ(2)-p=0.002) and public or crowded places (χ(2)-p=0.001). Adults with a high school degree or below [Adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR):1.82, 95% Confidence interval (CI)1.04 to 3.17], household income