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Population Adherence to Infection Control Behaviors during Hong Kong’s First and Third COVID-19 Waves: A Serial Cross-Sectional Study

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  • Emily Ying Yang Chan

    (Collaborating Centre for Oxford University and CUHK for Disaster and Medical Humanitarian Response (CCOUC), The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
    GX Foundation, Hong Kong, China
    JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China)

  • Jean H. Kim

    (JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China)

  • Kin-on Kwok

    (JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China)

  • Zhe Huang

    (Collaborating Centre for Oxford University and CUHK for Disaster and Medical Humanitarian Response (CCOUC), The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China)

  • Kevin Kei Ching Hung

    (Collaborating Centre for Oxford University and CUHK for Disaster and Medical Humanitarian Response (CCOUC), The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
    JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
    Accident & Emergency Medicine Academic Unit, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong, China)

  • Eliza Lai Yi Wong

    (JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China)

  • Eric Kam Pui Lee

    (JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China)

  • Samuel Yeung Shan Wong

    (JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China)

Abstract

Background: Although COVID-19 has affected over 220 countries by October 2021, there is limited research examining the patterns and determinants of adherence to infection control measures over time. Aims: Our study examines the sociodemographic factors associated with changes in the frequency of adherence to personal hygiene and social distancing behaviors in Hong Kong. Methods: A serial cross-sectional telephone survey in the general population was conducted during the first (March 2020) ( n = 765) and third wave (December 2020) ( n = 651) of the local outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Respondents were asked about their level of compliance with various personal hygiene and social distancing recommendations. Results: By the third wave, mask use increased to 100%, and throughout the study periods, >90% practiced frequent hand hygiene. However, adherence to social distancing measures significantly waned over time: avoidance of social gatherings (80.5% to 72.0%), avoidance of public places/public transport (53.3% to 26.0%), avoidance of international travel (85.8% to 76.6%) ( p < 0.05). The practice of ordering food takeout/home delivery, however, increased, particularly among high-income respondents. Higher education, female gender and employment status were the most consistently associated factors with adherence to COVID-19 preventive practices in the multivariable models. Conclusions: In urban areas of this region, interventions to improve personal hygiene in a prolonged pandemic should target males and those with low education. In addition to these groups, the working population needs to be targeted in order to improve adherence to social distancing guidelines.

Suggested Citation

  • Emily Ying Yang Chan & Jean H. Kim & Kin-on Kwok & Zhe Huang & Kevin Kei Ching Hung & Eliza Lai Yi Wong & Eric Kam Pui Lee & Samuel Yeung Shan Wong, 2021. "Population Adherence to Infection Control Behaviors during Hong Kong’s First and Third COVID-19 Waves: A Serial Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-17, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:21:p:11176-:d:663752
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kelly R Moran & Sara Y Del Valle, 2016. "A Meta-Analysis of the Association between Gender and Protective Behaviors in Response to Respiratory Epidemics and Pandemics," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(10), pages 1-25, October.
    2. Benjamin Born & Alexander M Dietrich & Gernot J Müller, 2021. "The lockdown effect: A counterfactual for Sweden," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 16(4), pages 1-13, April.
    3. Emily Ying Yang Chan & Zhe Huang & Eugene Siu Kai Lo & Kevin Kei Ching Hung & Eliza Lai Yi Wong & Samuel Yeung Shan Wong, 2020. "Sociodemographic Predictors of Health Risk Perception, Attitude and Behavior Practices Associated with Health-Emergency Disaster Risk Management for Biological Hazards: The Case of COVID-19 Pandemic i," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-18, May.
    4. Emily Ying Yang Chan & Jean Hee Kim & Eugene Siu Kai Lo & Zhe Huang & Heidi Hung & Kevin Kei Ching Hung & Eliza Lai Yi Wong & Eric Kam Pui Lee & Martin Chi Sang Wong & Samuel Yeung Shan Wong, 2020. "What Happened to People with Non-Communicable Diseases during COVID-19: Implications of H-EDRM Policies," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(15), pages 1-7, August.
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    2. Yui-yip Lau & Christelle Not & Gaurika Pant & Mark Ching-Pong Poo, 2024. "Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Food Purchasing, Food Packaging, and Food Wastage," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(16), pages 1-24, August.
    3. Emily Ying Yang Chan & Debarati Guha-Sapir & Caroline Dubois & Rajib Shaw & Chi Sing Wong, 2022. "Challenges of Data Availability and Use in Conducting Health-EDRM Research in a Post-COVID-19 World," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(7), pages 1-5, March.

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