Submit to IJERPH Review for IJERPH Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Second Edition of Population Behavior during COVID-19

Special Issue Editors
Special Issue Information
Keywords
Related Special Issue
Published Papers

A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Health Behavior, Chronic Disease and Health Promotion".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2023) | Viewed by 22346

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Isaac Ashkenazi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

NIRED—Institute for Regulation of Emergency and Disaster, College of Law and Business, Ramat Gan 5110801, Israel
Interests: crisis management; crisis leadership; active bystanders; disaster medicine; disaster management; terrorism
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Carmit Rapaport

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

NIRED—Institute for Regulation of Emergency and Disaster, College of Law and Business, Department of Geograhy and Environmental Studies, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498825, Israel
Interests: population behavior during emergencies; disaster management; crisis management; operational continuity
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

COVID-19 has had unprecedented effects on global and local systems. Management of the pandemic has been based on finding a fragile balance between controlling outbreaks in order to minimize potential risks caused by overwhelmed healthcare systems while maintaining the economy. Achievement of this balance heavily depends on the behavior of the population regarding their adherence to infection-prevention instructions (keeping physical distance, using face masks, and hygiene practices), compliance with stay-at-home orders, management of psychological stress, the social inclusion of minorities, and the consumption of health services. Citizens’ behavior during the pandemic is rooted in personal characteristics such as age, gender, socioeconomic status, being in an at-risk group for COVID-19, inclusion in a minority group, and education level. However, individual factors, both psychological and behavioral (e.g., risk perceptions, lifestyle, rituals, adaptivity, mental resilience, and emotional regulation), as well as social and cultural factors (e.g., community characteristics and the level of resilience, traditions and beliefs, and leadership) might also have significant effects. Papers addressing the behavioral aspects of population behavior in response to COVID-19 in terms of both challenges and opportunities in pandemic management are of interest for this Special Issue. Our focus will be on high-quality research or theory-based papers as well those detailing with practical orientation and experience in individuals, communities, and nations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This Special Issue in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health follows on from a collection of 15 papers published in the successful Issue "Population Behavior during COVID-19": https://www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph/special_issues/Behavior_Covid19.

Prof. Dr. Isaac Ashkenazi
Dr. Carmit Rapaport
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

resilience
adaptive behavior
stress
leadership
rituals
crisis communication

Related Special Issue

Population Behavior during COVID-19 in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (15 articles)

Published Papers (14 papers)

Download All Papers

Research

0 pages, 1022 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Following Wave Pattern of Suicide-Related Pediatric Emergency Room Admissions during the COVID-19 Pandemic

by Tomer Mevorach, Gil Zur, Noa Benaroya-Milshtein, Alan Apter, Silvana Fennig and Shira Barzilay

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(2), 1619; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20021619 - 16 Jan 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1459

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic and response, which included physical distancing and stay-at-home orders, disrupted the daily lives of children and adolescents, isolating them from their peers, school, and other meaningful contacts. The present study aims to add to the accumulating evidence on the pandemic’s impact on child and adolescent suicidal behavior. Data were extracted from Schneider Children’s Medical Center of Israel’s pediatric emergency room (ER) admissions for psychiatric consultation for suicidal-risk assessment between 1 January 2020, and 16 April 2022. We applied time-lagged cross-correlation analysis and a Granger causality test to assess the temporal relationships between COVID-19 infection waves and patterns of suicide-related ER admissions. The results revealed a significant lagged correlation between national COVID-19 infection rates and ER admission rates. The highest correlation was above 0.4 and was found with a lag of 80 to 100 days from infection rate to ER admission rate. The findings show that the effects of public crises change over time and may be lagged. This may have important implications for mental health services’ readiness to serve growing numbers of children and adolescents at risk for suicide. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Second Edition of Population Behavior during COVID-19)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

22 pages, 1408 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Behavioral and Cultural Insights, a Nationwide Study Based on Repetitive Surveys of WHO Behavioral Insights Tool in Greece Regarding COVID-19 Pandemic and Vaccine Acceptance

by Panagiotis Prezerakos, Katerina Dadouli, Eirini Agapidaki, Christina-Maria Kravvari, Ioanna Avakian, Athanasia-Marina Peristeri, Lemonia Anagnostopoulos, Varvara A. Mouchtouri, Konstantinos N. Fountoulakis, Sotirios Koupidis and Christos Hadjichristodoulou

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(1), 216; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20010216 - 23 Dec 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1498

Abstract

Monitoring behavioral and cultural insights during the pandemic is a useful tool to identify factors related to COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and confront the pandemic’s vast impact. Data were collected using a questionnaire designed according to the “survey tool and guidance” provided by the World Health Organization (WHO). Surveys were conducted by a market research company for five consecutive months, with a sample of 1000 individuals recruited per survey. Vaccination acceptance increased from 55.2% to 67.2%, while the percentage of undecisive individuals decreased from 16.3% to 10.6%. The proportion of vaccine resistant participants remained relatively steady (25–30%). Knowledge about the pandemic and compliance with preventive measures was high (>90%). Factors associated with vaccination included: Increased age, male gender, influenza vaccination, following authorities’ recommendations, being informed by HCWs or formal information sources, care for others, concern about the country’s economic recession and health system overload. Pandemic fatigue was reflected across the surveys, indicated by a decrease in the intention to self-isolate and remain at home when ill. Despite the decrease of undecisive individuals, a firm core of vaccine resistant individuals may be responsible for the relatively lower vaccine coverage compared to northern EU countries. Study results could be useful for developing approaches tailored to a reluctant population. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Second Edition of Population Behavior during COVID-19)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 773 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Meal Gathering in China

by Qing Chang, Yiheng Shu, Wuyang Hu, Xiaolei Li and Ping Qing

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(24), 16698; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192416698 - 12 Dec 2022

Viewed by 1313

Abstract

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Chinese government adopted a series of preventative measures to control the spread of the virus. This paper studies the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and its associated prevention methods on meal sharing in China. Meal gathering during multiple periods before and after the outbreak of COVID-19 is captured through two waves of online survey across China between March and June 2020, collecting a total of 1847 observations. We employ the difference-in-difference (DID) method to identify the causal effects of COVID-19 severity on meal sharing. The results show that relative to the same period in 2019, the frequency of meal gathering decreased sharply after the initial outbreak of the coronavirus in 2020 in both epicenters and non-epicenters. Furthermore, the impact of COVID-19 differed across different types of meal sharing. Our findings have implications for consumers, food service operators, as well as policymakers to understand the social and community impact of the pandemic and to adjust their coping strategies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Second Edition of Population Behavior during COVID-19)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 595 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Health Behaviors of Higher Education Students in Ghana: A Cross-Sectional Study

by Mary Amoako, Felicity Amoah-Agyei, Gideon Okyere Mensah, Chen Du, Selin Sergin, Jenifer I. Fenton and Robin M. Tucker

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(24), 16442; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192416442 - 08 Dec 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1580

Abstract

Stressful events can significantly impact health behaviors of tertiary students in various ways. Many studies reported adverse alterations in health behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there is limited knowledge about students from sub-Saharan African countries. Therefore, this study aimed to assess effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the health behaviors of Ghanaian tertiary students, with an emphasis on the association between sleep and other health behaviors. A cross-sectional study with eligible tertiary students from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Ghana (n = 129) was conducted. An online survey assessed quality and duration of sleep, financial stress, dietary risk, alcohol misuse, and physical exercise using validated tools. Health behaviors did not differ by gender. The COVID-19 pandemic negatively affected health behaviors for many students including dietary intake (20.2%), sleep quality (20.2%) and duration (81.4%), alcohol consumption (3.1%), exercise frequency (4.1%), and exercise intensity (38%). Shorter sleep duration was linked with greater alcohol misuse scores (p < 0.05). A majority of the students (56%) had increased financial stress during the pandemic. This study contributes important insights into the effects that stressful events such as a pandemic have on the health of higher education students in sub-Saharan Africa. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Second Edition of Population Behavior during COVID-19)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

23 pages, 2526 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Impact of COVID-19 on the Health-Related Behaviours, Mental Well-Being, and Academic Engagement of a Cohort of Undergraduate Students in an Irish University Setting

by Elaine Sheedy O’Sullivan, Karrie-Marie McCarthy, Cian O’Neill, Janette Walton, Lisa Bolger and Andrea Bickerdike

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(23), 16096; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192316096 - 01 Dec 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1640

Abstract

Given the well-established impact of COVID-19 on university students’ health and lifestyle parameters, the current study sought to investigate these impacts within an Irish university setting. A cross-sectional design was employed, with a 68-item questionnaire instrument disseminated to all Year 2 undergraduate students in the host institution (N = 2752), yielding a 9.7% response rate (n = 266). This questionnaire elicited students’ self-reported changes to health-related behaviours, mental well-being and academic engagement across 4 defined time-points: (T0: prior to COVID-19, T1: initial onset of COVID-19, T2: during COVID-19, and T3: time of data collection). Many items were adapted from previous Irish research and additional validated scales included the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT-C) and the World Health Organisation’s Well-being scale (WHO-5). Key findings revealed that at T1, substantially more males reported ‘good/very good’ general health than females (76.3% vs. 70.8%), while physical activity patterns followed a similar trend at both T0 (80% vs. 66.1%) and T1 (66.7% vs. 61%). A total of 78.4% of participants reported a body mass gain from T0 to T3, thus reflecting the reduced physical activity levels and compromised nutritional patterns across this period. Worryingly, AUDIT-C scale data revealed hazardous drinking habits were evident in both males and females, while fruit and vegetable intake, physical activity levels, and mental well-being among this cohort remained notably sub-optimal. Ratings of positive academic engagement also decreased substantially between T0 (90.3%) and T3 (30.4%). These findings substantiate the rationale for tailored health promotion interventions in university settings to support students’ transition back to traditional programme delivery and, of equal importance, to improve general health and well-being post-COVID-19 within this cohort. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Second Edition of Population Behavior during COVID-19)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 2269 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Factors Contributing to Citizens’ Participation in COVID-19 Prevention and Control in China: An Integrated Model Based on Theory of Planned Behavior, Norm Activation Model, and Political Opportunity Structure Theory

by Xiaojie Zhang and Lili Wang

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(23), 15794; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192315794 - 27 Nov 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1751

Abstract

Chinese citizens’ participation in COVID-19 prevention and control has made great contributions to the successful fight against the pandemic. The factors that have impacted citizens’ participation have rarely been reported based on both social–psychological and political environmental theories. This paper presented a study to explore the determinants of Chinese citizens’ participation in COVID-19 prevention and control based on a combined model of the theory of planned behavior, the norm activation model, and political opportunity structure theory. A dataset involving 463 respondents from Harbin in northeast China was acquired and analyzed. The results showed that the comprehensive model explained 62.9% of the total variance in citizens’ participation behavior. The openness to public participation not only significantly directly influenced citizens’ participation but also indirectly affected participation behaviors through attitude and perceived behavioral control, both of which were important mediators and had the greatest overall impacts. The awareness of consequences and subjective norms were crucial antecedents to the activation of other influencing factors. Personal norms indirectly affected participation behavior through the mediation of attitude. The empirical results showed the comprehensiveness, effectiveness, and high explanatory power of the postulated model. The study also provides both new theoretical perspectives for explaining public participation and useful practical implications for future policy development in promoting citizens’ participation in public health emergency management. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Second Edition of Population Behavior during COVID-19)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 1329 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Are Attitudes towards COVID-19 Pandemic Related to Subjective Physical and Mental Health?

by Kristine Khachatryan, Manfred E. Beutel, Yve Stöbel-Richter, Markus Zenger, Hendrik Berth, Elmar Brähler and Peter Schmidt

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(21), 14538; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192114538 - 05 Nov 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1736

Abstract

In this paper, we investigate the relationship between a person’s psychological distress, subjective physical health and their attitudes towards the COVID-19 pandemic. The evaluation was performed on the basis of data from two waves of the Saxon Longitudinal Study, carried out in 2019 (pre-pandemic) and 2021. The number of study participants in both waves was 291. We tested in autoregressive cross-lagged models the stability of the respondents’ health status before and during the pandemic and reviewed their influence on attitudes towards COVID-19. Our results show that COVID-19-related concerns are controlled by subjective physical health, while pandemic denial is linked to psychological distress. In an unknown and critical situation, with limited control over the situation, the strategy of avoidance or suppression may be used by individuals for protection by psychologically downplaying the stressor and danger. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Second Edition of Population Behavior during COVID-19)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 322 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Can Afro-Communitarianism Be Useful in Combating the Challenge of Human Interaction Posed by the COVID-19 Pandemic?

by Jonathan O. Chimakonam and L. Uchenna Ogbonnaya

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(21), 14255; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192114255 - 31 Oct 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1194

Abstract

Can Afro-communitarianism serve as a viable ideology for addressing the human interaction challenge posed by the COVID-19 pandemic? The ongoing pandemic poses many challenges to the normal functioning of societies around the world. For example, it has caused problems ranging from social, economic, and political disruption to various forms of hardship, including pain, suffering, and millions of deaths. One problem that is not attracting sufficient attention is a disruption to human interaction that leads to isolation, depression, mental health, and emotional crises. This paper will investigate whether Afro-communitarianism can function as an ideological option for addressing this challenge. This ideology, in our opinion, can foster social integration and the type of informal solidarity that engenders emotionally helpful interactions among humans. We will also argue that Afro-communitarian orientation can overturn the individualistic tendencies that hamper efforts aimed at curtailing the spread of the coronavirus. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Second Edition of Population Behavior during COVID-19)

16 pages, 1350 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Interaction between Health and Financial Status on Coping Behaviors during the COVID-19 Pandemic

by Mehmet Yanit, Kan Shi, Fang Wan and Fei Gao

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(20), 13498; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192013498 - 19 Oct 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1551

Abstract

Background: The year 2022 started with protests against COVID-19 restrictions throughout North America. These events manifest the fact that some segments of the population are not compliant with the preventive measures of COVID-19, and the reasons of the disobedience against public health regulation remain unclear. The current paper examined the joint effect of financial and health status on people’s likelihood of pursuing active coping efforts (i.e., following preventive measures) and giving up coping with the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: We conducted a large-scale survey study in China (N = 3834) in May 2020. Results: Our results showed that people with low financial status were less likely to manifest active coping behavior and more likely to give up coping with the pandemic. People’s self-confidence in coping with the pandemic mediated this effect. We showed that one’s health status could interact with their financial status in a way that healthy people with low financial status would have less confidence in their coping abilities and thus become less likely to pursue active coping efforts and more likely to give up coping with the pandemic. Conclusions: Our results call for policymakers to find more effective solutions for noncompliant groups so that they can abide by the general guidelines in the COVID-19 context and other social crises that may emerge in the future. We suggest that governments should concentrate their support efforts on healthy populations of low financial segments to prevent COVID-19 and other infectious diseases in the future from spreading further. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Second Edition of Population Behavior during COVID-19)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 1518 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Correlates of Changes in Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviors during the COVID-19 Lockdown in France: The NutriNet-Santé Cohort Study

by Hélène Charreire, Charlotte Verdot, Fabien Szabo de Edelenyi, Mélanie Deschasaux-Tanguy, Bernard Srour, Nathalie Druesne-Pecollo, Younes Esseddik, Benjamin Allès, Julia Baudry, Valérie Deschamps, Benoit Salanave, Pilar Galan, Serge Hercberg, Chantal Julia, Emmanuelle Kesse-Guyot, Sapris Study Group, Alice Bellicha, Mathilde Touvier and Jean-Michel Oppert

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(19), 12370; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191912370 - 28 Sep 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1411

Abstract

Background: COVID-19 lockdowns represent natural experiments where limitations of movement impact on lifestyle behaviors. The aim of this paper was to assess how lockdowns have influenced physical activity and sedentary behaviors among French adults. Methods: 32,409 adults from the NutriNet-Santé study filled out questionnaires in April 2020 (the first 2 weeks after the start of lockdown) and in May 2020 (2 weeks before the lockdown ended). Participants were asked about changes in physical activity level and sitting time, types of physical activity performed, and main reasons for change. Results: For decreased physical activity, similar rates were found at the beginning and end of the lockdown (58 and 55%–56 and 53%, in women and men, respectively). For increased physical activity, the figures were lower (20 and 14%–23 and 18%, in women and men, respectively). The participants with a decreasing physical activity evolution were older and more likely to be living in urban areas. The main reasons for (i) decreased physical activity were limitations of movement and not liking indoor exercise, (ii) increased physical activity were to stay physically fit and healthy. Physical activity changes were inversely associated with reported depressive symptoms. Conclusions: Changes in physical activity and sedentary behaviors are heterogenous for both genders during the lockdown. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Second Edition of Population Behavior during COVID-19)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

10 pages, 335 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Leading Factors of Obesity and Severe Obesity in Korean Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic

by Myung-Nam Lee, Young-Soon Choi and Sang-Dol Kim

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(19), 12214; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191912214 - 26 Sep 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1405

Abstract

(1) Background: During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the prevalence of obesity or severe obesity has increased worldwide to the point that it has even been referred to as a new disease. However, the impacts of the pandemic on obesity or severe obesity remain unclear, thus requiring a thorough examination of the leading factors of obesity and severe obesity during this time. (2) Methods: The required dataset for this study was extracted from the eighth (2019–2020) Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHNES). The survey’s data for 2019 and 2020 were analyzed to confirm the leading factors of obesity and severe obesity before and after the outbreak of COVID-19. The samples were weighted, and the data were analyzed using multiple logistic regression. (3) Results: In 2020, the prevalence of obesity and severe obesity in the Korean adult population aged 19 and over, compared with the normal weight group, showed significant increases of 2.5% and 1.4%, respectively, compared with those rates in 2019 (p < 0.05). The main variables affecting the obesity prevalence in Korean adults aged 19 and over in 2020 were gender, age, sitting time per day, and walking time per day, and the factors affecting severe obesity were gender and age. Meanwhile, the daily energy intake variable had no impact on the prevalence of obesity and severe obesity. (4) Conclusions: These findings will serve as a basis to help the present management directions and treatment approaches for individuals with obesity or severe obesity in the post-COVID-19 era. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Second Edition of Population Behavior during COVID-19)

10 pages, 680 KiB

Open AccessArticle

What Drives Elderly People in China Away from COVID-19 Information?

by Xudong Gao, Feng Ding and Ting Ai

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(15), 9509; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19159509 - 02 Aug 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1648

Abstract

Background: A worrying phenomenon has emerged in recent years: a growing number of people have stopped seeking coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) information and have started deliberately avoiding it. Even though the virulence of COVID-19 has now weakened, the proportion of severe illnesses and deaths in elderly people is still much higher than in other age groups. However, no study has focused on this topic. This is the first study to explore the level of COVID-19 information avoidance among elderly people, and to identify the barriers and potential factors associated therewith. Methods: Convenience sampling was used to recruit 907 elderly people in Wuhan, China. Data collection measures included a sociodemographic questionnaire, health information avoidance scale, information overload scale, general self-efficacy scale, and health anxiety inventory. Results: A total of 72.3% of elderly participants reported COVID-19 information avoidance. Regarding COVID-19-related information reading habits, 44.5% of the elderly only read the title, 16.0% merely skimmed through the content, and 22.9% skipped all relevant information. The most common reasons for this result were information overload (67.5%), underestimation of the infection risk (58.1%), and uselessness of information (56.4%). The main factors associated with COVID-19 information avoidance were recorded as information overload, age, health anxiety, and children (p < 0.05). Conclusions: China should strengthen its health communication regarding COVID-19 in accordance with the characteristics of elderly people, adopt more attractive publicity methods on traditional media, improve censorship about health information, and pay more attention to the childless elderly and the elderly aged 80 and above. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Second Edition of Population Behavior during COVID-19)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 1280 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Five-Year Trend in Adherence Rate to Aerobic Physical Activity Guidelines among Korean Adults in Metropolitan Cities: 2016–2020 Korea Community Health Survey

by Hyo Lee and Damien Vitiello

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(15), 9226; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19159226 - 28 Jul 2022

Viewed by 1357

Abstract

This study investigated the five-year (2016–2020) trend in physical activity adherence rate (PAR)—before and after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic—and its association with socioeconomic status and community environment among Korean adults. Data were analyzed from the Korea Community Health Survey 2016–2020 concerning adults (19–65 years old) living in seven metropolitan municipalities of South Korea (N = 190,761). The independent variables were socioeconomic status (household income and educational attainment) and community environment (density of physical activity facilities and social cohesion), and the dependent variable was the PAR, as measured by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form, a recall-based subjective survey. Multilevel logistic regression models with age, sex, and body mass index as covariates were applied. The results showed that the PAR increased from 37.26% (2016) to 40.84% (2019), during the pre-COVID-19 pandemic, but it sharply decreased to 31.59% (2020) during the COVID-19 confinement (trend p < 0.001); PAR disparities were observed following socioeconomic status, as indicated by household income (trend p < 0.001) and educational attainment (trend p < 0.001). Furthermore, significant moderation effects were observed from socioeconomic status and community environment, but the direction of the effects varied by indicator and COVID-19-related confinement period. Lower educational attainment and higher income were associated with a greater decrease in PAR during the pandemic. This study shows that PAR substantively decreased in South Korea during the COVID-19 pandemic, although it had shown a steady increase through 2019. In addition, PAR disparities by socioeconomic status were found, and socioeconomic status and community environment had distinct influences on PAR trends, depending on their indicators and pre- and post-pandemic periods. Lower educational attainment is associated with greater decreases in PAR during the pandemic, suggesting the necessity for a public campaign to maintain a physically active lifestyle during such social disaster. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Second Edition of Population Behavior during COVID-19)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 348 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mental Well-Being and Sexual Intimacy among Men and Gender Diverse People Who Have Sex with Men during the First UK COVID-19 Lockdown: A Mixed-Methods Study

by Natalie L. Edelman, T. Charles Witzel, Phil Samba, Will Nutland and Tom Nadarzynski

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(12), 6985; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19126985 - 07 Jun 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1681

Abstract

This mixed-methods study aimed to explore mental well-being, circumstances and strategies around managing sexual intimacy and risk during the first UK COVID-19 lockdown (Spring 2020) among men and gender diverse people who have sex with men (MGDPSM), commencing while lockdown was in progress. n = 1429 MGDPSM completed the survey and 14 undertook an in-depth interview. Low mental well-being was reported by 49.6% of the survey participants. Low mental well-being was not predicted by relationship and living circumstance, sexual networking app use, or by casual sexual partners. Low mental well-being was associated with more frequent COVID-19 anxiety (OR = 5.08 CI: 3.74, 6.88 p < 0.001) and with younger age (18–24 years OR = 2.23 CI:1.41–3.53 p = 0.001, 25–34 years OR = 1.45 CI:1.04–2.02 p = 0.029, 35–44 years OR = 1.41 CI:1.00–1.99 p = 0.052). The interview participants understood their lockdown experiences as being relative to normalcy, and those experiencing more dramatic changes faced greater challenges. Living with partners was felt to protect well-being. Many participants reported intimacy interruption challenges. The findings indicate that mental well-being is predicted by age and COVID-19 impact, highlighting opportunities for targeting MGDPSM who are most vulnerable to poor mental health. Services that support MGDPSM during COVID-19 recovery efforts must provide non-judgemental and affirming support. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Second Edition of Population Behavior during COVID-19)

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Second Edition of Population Behavior during COVID-19

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Special Issue Information

Keywords

Related Special Issue

Published Papers (14 papers)

Research

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI