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Patients’ Engagement in Early Detection of COVID-19 Symptoms: An Observational Study in the Very Early Peak of the Pandemic in Italy in 2020

Author

Listed:
  • Lorenzo Palamenghi

    (Engageminds HUB-Consumer, Food and Health Engagement Research Center, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 20123 Milano, Italy
    Department of Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 20123 Milano, Italy
    Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Nutritional Sciences, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 26100 Cremona, Italy)

  • Fabiola Giudici

    (Biostatistics Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy)

  • Guendalina Graffigna

    (Engageminds HUB-Consumer, Food and Health Engagement Research Center, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 20123 Milano, Italy
    Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Nutritional Sciences, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 26100 Cremona, Italy)

  • Daniele Generali

    (Breast Cancer Unit, ASST of Cremona, Viale Concordia 1, 26100 Cremona, Italy
    Department of Medical Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
    Department of Animal Science, Food and Nutrition–DIANA, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 29122 Piacenza, Italy)

Abstract

COVID-19 exerted a strong impact on the Italian healthcare systems, which in turn resulted in a reduction in the citizens’ trust towards healthcare authorities. Moreover, the focused attention on the typical COVID-19 symptoms (fever, cough) has also impacted the social representation of health priorities, potentially reducing the perceived importance and severity of other symptoms. This study aimed to determine the association of general-practitioner (GP) contact with various symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic in Cremona, an Italian city at the very epicentre of the pandemic. Between April and June 2020, an anonymous survey was completed by 2161 respondents. Logistic-regression analyses were used to examine the associations of GP contact with sociodemographic characteristics and the presence of symptoms. Of the 2161 respondents (43.5% female, 75.0% aged less than 55 years), 959 (44.4%) reported experiencing various symptoms and 33.3% contacted a GP. GP contact was significantly associated with poor appetite (OR, 2.42; 95% CI 1.63 to 3.62; p < 0.001), taste dysfunctions (OR 1.67; 95% CI 1.20 to 2.34; p < 0.001) and sleepiness during the day (OR 4.15; 95% CI 2.13 to 8.09; p = 0.002). None of the gastrointestinal symptoms resulted in significantly increasing the likelihood of contacting a GP. This study offers a unique observation of citizens’ attitudes and behaviours in early symptom communication/detection during the initial peak of the Italian COVID-19 pandemic.

Suggested Citation

  • Lorenzo Palamenghi & Fabiola Giudici & Guendalina Graffigna & Daniele Generali, 2022. "Patients’ Engagement in Early Detection of COVID-19 Symptoms: An Observational Study in the Very Early Peak of the Pandemic in Italy in 2020," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-10, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:5:p:3058-:d:764799
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Subar, A.F. & Harlan, L.C. & Mattson, M.E., 1990. "Food and nutrient intake differences between smokers and non-smokers in the US," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 80(11), pages 1323-1329.
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