Scientific Reports (Dec 2022)

Age differences in knowledge, attitudes and preventive practices during the COVID-19 pandemic in Spain

  • Antonio González-Herrera,
  • Carmen Rodríguez-Blázquez,
  • María Romay-Barja,
  • María Falcon-Romero,
  • Alba Ayala,
  • María João Forjaz

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-25353-5
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12, no. 1
pp. 1 – 8

Abstract

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Abstract This study aims at describing the evolution of Spanish population preventive practices during the COVID-19 pandemic of the between January and June 2021, and differences by age group. Data was drawn from the COSMO-Spain online survey, rounds (R) 4, 5 and 6. Multiple linear regression models with preventive practices as dependent variable were performed. Preventive practices (p = 0.001) and concern about coronavirus (p = 0.003) decreased throughout the three rounds, knowledge decreased from R4 to R6 (p = 0.002) and health literacy had a higher value in R6 (p < 0.001). Older the age was associated with higher the frequency of preventive practices, and levels of health literacy and concern about coronavirus (p < 0.001). The regression model showed that, in the 18–29 year group, a greater frequency of preventive practices was associated with being female (β = 0.20; p < 0.001), greater concern about coronavirus (β = 0.16; p < 0.018) and frequency of information seeking (β = 0.24; p < 0.001). For 61 years old and older, a higher frequency of preventive practices was associated with greater concern about coronavirus (β = 0.21; p < 0.002) and lower pandemic fatigue (β = − 0.13; p < 0.037). These findings point to the need for effective public health interventions tailored to the characteristics of age population groups.