Early COVID-19 Attitudes and Behaviors and Their Associations With Later Infection: A Local Perspective From One U.S. City.

BACKGROUND: At the onset of the pandemic, there was poor public awareness and inaction in response to COVID-19; it is less known whether this translated to subsequent infections. OBJECTIVES: To explore whether adults who perceived COVID-19 as less of a threat and who were not taking early actions were more likely to become infected over the following year. RESEARCH DESIGN: Survey data from the ongoing (COVID-19 & Chronic Conditions (C3) anonymized for review) cohort study. PARTICIPANTS: Six hundred forty-two adults with a mean age of 63 and ≥1 chronic condition. MEASURES: Self-reported attitudes and behaviors regarding COVID-19 were assessed from March 13 to April 3, 2020, and COVID-19 infection status was captured between May 2020 and January 2021. Bivariate and multivariable analyses examined associations between early perceptions and behaviors with later infection. RESULTS: Approximately 7% reported infection with COVID-19 (N = 46). Adults who perceived the threat of COVID-19 less seriously at the initial outbreak were more likely to test positive over the following year [odds ratio (OR): 0.81, CI: 0.70-0.94; P = 0.006]. Those who were less likely to believe their actions would affect whether they would become infected were more likely to test positive (OR: 0.87, CI: 0.77-0.99; P = 0.03), as were adults who reported not changing their routines (OR: 0.45; CI: 0.24-0.85; P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Adults with delayed responses in acknowledging the threat of COVID-19 and in changing behaviors were more likely to contract the virus. This investigation provides insight into the consequences of inadequate public understanding and response to COVID-19, and it highlights the importance of promoting early awareness among high-risk groups during public health crises.

Trajectories of Sleep Disturbance and Self-Management of Chronic Conditions during COVID-19 among Middle-aged and Older Adults.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a widespread impact on sleep quality, yet little is known about the prevalence of sleep disturbance and its impact on self-management of chronic conditions during the ongoing pandemic. Objective: To evaluate trajectories of sleep disturbance, and their associations with one's capacity to self-manage chronic conditions. Design: A longitudinal cohort study linked to 3 active clinical trials and 2 cohort studies with 5 time points of sleep data collection (July 15, 2020 - May 23, 2022). Participants: Adults living with chronic conditions who completed sleep questionnaires for two or more time points. Exposure: Trajectories of self-reported sleep disturbance across 5 time points. Main Outcomes: 3 self-reported measures of self-management capacity, including subjective cognitive decline, medication adherence, and self-efficacy for managing chronic disease. Results: 549 adults aged 23 to 91 years were included in the analysis. Two thirds had 3 or more chronic conditions; 42.4% of participants followed a trajectory of moderate or high likelihood of persistent sleep disturbance across the study period. Moderate or high likelihood of sleep disturbance was associated with older age (RR 1.57, 95% CI 1.09, 2.26, P <.05), persistent stress (RR 1.54, 95% CI 1.16, 2.06, P =.003), poorer physical function (RR 1.57, 95% CI 1.17, 2.13, P =.003), greater anxiety (RR 1.40, 95% CI 1.04, 1.87, P =.03) and depression (RR 1.63, 95% CI 1.20, 2.22, P =.002). Moderate or high likelihood of sleep disturbance was also independently associated with subjective cognitive decline, poorer medication adherence, and worse self-efficacy for managing chronic diseases (all P <.001). Conclusions: Persistent sleep disturbance during the pandemic may be an important risk factor for inadequate chronic disease self-management and potentially poor health outcomes in adults living with chronic conditions. Public health and health system strategies might consider monitoring sleep quality in adults with chronic conditions to optimize health outcomes.

Prevalence and risk factors of sleep disturbance in adults with underlying health conditions during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

To determine the prevalence of sleep disturbance during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic among US adults who are more vulnerable to complications because of age and co-morbid conditions, and to identify associated sociodemographic and psychosocial factors. Cross-sectional survey linked to 3 active clinical trials and 2 cohort studies, conducted between 11/30/2020 and 3/3/2021. Five academic internal medicine practices and 2 federally qualified health centers. A total of 715 adults ages 23 to 91 years living with one or more chronic conditions. A fifth (20%) of participants reported poor sleep. Black adults were twice as likely to report poor sleep compared to Whites. Self-reported poor physical function (51%), stress (42%), depression (28%), and anxiety (36%) were also common and all significantly associated with poor sleep. Age ≥70 years and having been vaccinated for COVID-19 were protective against poor sleep. Sex, education, income, alcohol use, and employment status were not significantly associated with sleep quality. In this diverse sample of adults with chronic conditions, by race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status, disparities in sleep health amid the ongoing pandemic were apparent. Worse physical function and mental health were associated with poor sleep and should be considered targets for health system interventions to prevent the many subsequent consequences of disturbed sleep on health outcomes. Measurements: self-reported sleep quality, physical function, stress, depression, and anxiety.

Prevalence and risk factors of sleep disturbance in adults with underlying health conditions during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic

To determine the prevalence of sleep disturbance during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic among US adults who are more vulnerable to complications because of age and co-morbid conditions, and to identify associated sociodemographic and psychosocial factors. Cross-sectional survey linked to 3 active clinical trials and 2 cohort studies, conducted between 11/30/2020 and 3/3/2021. Five academic internal medicine practices and 2 federally qualified health centers. A total of 715 adults ages 23 to 91 years living with one or more chronic conditions. A fifth (20%) of participants reported poor sleep. Black adults were twice as likely to report poor sleep compared to Whites. Self-reported poor physical function (51%), stress (42%), depression (28%), and anxiety (36%) were also common and all significantly associated with poor sleep. Age ≥70 years and having been vaccinated for COVID-19 were protective against poor sleep. Sex, education, income, alcohol use, and employment status were not significantly associated with sleep quality. In this diverse sample of adults with chronic conditions, by race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status, disparities in sleep health amid the ongoing pandemic were apparent. Worse physical function and mental health were associated with poor sleep and should be considered targets for health system interventions to prevent the many subsequent consequences of disturbed sleep on health outcomes. Measurements: self-reported sleep quality, physical function, stress, depression, and anxiety.

Trajectories of perceived susceptibility to COVID-19 over a year: The COVID-19 & chronic conditions (C3) cohort study.

ABSTRACT: The U.S. public health response to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been widely criticized as having downplayed the potential implications COVID-19 could have on one's personal health. Despite the unprecedented threat of COVID-19, many individuals still believed that it was not at all likely that they would become infected. We sought to investigate trends in adults' perceived susceptibility to COVID-19 over the first year of the pandemic, whether distinct trajectories emerged, and if these trajectories differed by participant socio-demographic characteristics.This was a longitudinal cohort study with 5 time points of data collection (March 13, 2020-March 3, 2021). Subjects included 627 adults living with ≥1 chronic conditions, who completed a baseline interview and at least one follow-up interview. In addition to collecting relevant socio-demographic characteristics, participants' perceived susceptibility to COVID-19 across time was assessed and classified into distinct trajectories.Nearly two-thirds (62.2%) of participants perceived themselves to be highly susceptible to COVID-19 from the onset of the pandemic ("early responders") and sustained this over a year, a third (29.0%) eventually perceived themselves to be highly susceptible ("late responders"), and 8.8% maintained a low likelihood of susceptibility throughout the pandemic ("non-responders"). In multivariable analyses, compared to White participants, Latinx participants were significantly more likely to be non-responders and report low likelihood of perceived susceptibility (Risk Ratio [RR]: 3.46; 95% confidence interval: 1.19, 10.1), as were Black participants (RR: 5.49; 95% confidence interval: 2.19, 13.8).A year into the COVID-19 pandemic, 1 out of 11 participants persistently did not think they might be susceptible and potentially infected. Future studies are needed to understand reasons why certain individuals, particularly those of racial/ethnic minorities, did not perceive themselves at risk for infection.

Prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms and impact on self-management among adults with chronic conditions in Chicago, Illinois, USA, during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional survey.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the prevalence of mental health symptoms during the first surge of COVID-19 in the USA, and their associations with COVID-19-related emotional distress, health self-management and healthcare utilisation. DESIGN: Cross-sectional analysis of wave 3 (1-22 May 2020) survey data from the ongoing Chicago COVID-19 Comorbidities (C3) study. SETTING: Seven academic and community health centres in Chicago, Illinois. PARTICIPANTS: 565 adults aged 23-88 with one or more chronic conditions completing at least one prior C3 study wave. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Clinically relevant anxiety and depressive symptoms as measured using Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System short forms. Self-reported emotional and health-related responses to COVID-19 were measured through a combination of single-item questions and validated measures. RESULTS: Rates of anxiety and depressive symptoms were 14% (81/563) and 15% (84/563), respectively. Anxiety and depressive symptoms were then each separately associated with greater worry about contracting COVID-19 (relative risk (RR) 2.32, 95% CI 1.52 to 3.53; RR 1.67, 95% CI 1.10 to 2.54), greater stress (RR 4.93, 95% CI 3.20 to 7.59; RR 3.01, 95% CI 1.96 to 4.61) and loneliness (RR 3.82, 95% CI 2.21 to 6.60; RR 5.37, 95% CI 3.21 to 8.98), greater avoidance of the doctor (RR 1.62, 95% CI 1.06 to 2.49; RR 1.54, 95% CI 1.00 to 2.36) and difficulty managing health (least square means (LS Means) 6.09, 95% CI 5.25 to 6.92 vs 4.23, 95% CI 3.70 to 4.75; LS Means 5.85, 95% CI 5.04 to 6.65 vs 4.22, 95% CI 3.70 to 4.75) and medications (LS Means 3.71, 95% CI 2.98 to 4.43 vs 2.47, 95% CI 2.02 to 2.92) due to the pandemic. CONCLUSIONS: Identifying and addressing mental health concerns may be an important factor to consider in COVID-19 prevention and management among high-risk medical populations.

Perceived Adequacy of Tangible Support during Stay-at-Home Orders in Chicago and New York.

OBJECTIVES: Physical distancing precautions during the COVID-19 pandemic may challenge the provision of tangible support many middle age and older adults receive in managing their health. We examined the association between unmet tangible support needs and self-management behaviors and mental health status during the stay-at-home orders in Chicago and New York. METHODS: We used data from the COVID-19 & Chronic Conditions study collected between May 1st and May 22nd, 2020. A total of 801 middle age and older adults with ≥1 chronic condition in Chicago and New York City completed the telephone interview. Adequacy of tangible social support was measured using a brief, validated scale that determined whether an individual needed assistance managing his or her health, and if yes, whether this need was met. Participants reported their level of difficulty engaging in self-management behaviors using 2 discrete items; they also self-reported medication adherence using the ASK-12 medication adherence scale. Mental health status was measured using the depression and anxiety PROMIS short-form instruments. RESULTS: Participants' mean age was 63 years; 30% identified as Black, 26% identified as Latino, and 12% identified unmet support needs. Inadequacy of tangible support was associated with greater difficulty managing one's health and accessing medications due to COVID-19, as well as poorer medication adherence, increased anxiety and depressive symptoms, and poorer overall well-being (P's < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Perceived unmet support needs during stay-at-home orders were associated with greater difficulty engaging in self-management behaviors and poorer overall well-being. Two brief items quickly identified individuals with unmet support needs.