Health Literacy and Preventive Behaviors Modify the Association between Pre-Existing Health Conditions and Suspected COVID-19 Symptoms: A Multi-Institutional Survey

Tan T. Nguyen, Nga T. Le, Minh H. Nguyen, Linh V. Pham, Binh N. Do, Hoang C. Nguyen, Huu C. Nguyen, Tung H. Ha, Hung K. Dao, Phuoc B. Nguyen, Manh V. Trinh, Thinh V. Do, Hung Q. Nguyen, Thao T. P. Nguyen, Nhan P. T. Nguyen, Cuong Q. Tran, Khanh V. Tran, Trang T. Duong, Thu T. M. Pham and Tuyen Van Duong
Additional contact information
Tan T. Nguyen: Department of Orthopedics, Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Can Tho 941-17, Vietnam
Nga T. Le: Allied Health & Human Performance, Higher Degree Research, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
Minh H. Nguyen: International Ph.D. Program in Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110-31, Taiwan
Linh V. Pham: Department of Pulmonary & Cardiovascular Diseases, Hai Phong University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital, Hai Phong 042-12, Vietnam
Binh N. Do: Department of Infectious Diseases, Vietnam Military Medical University, Hanoi 121-08, Vietnam
Hoang C. Nguyen: Director Office, Thai Nguyen National Hospital, Thai Nguyen City 241-24, Vietnam
Huu C. Nguyen: Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, E Hospital, Hanoi 113-08, Vietnam
Tung H. Ha: Director Office, General Hospital of Agricultural, Hanoi 125-16, Vietnam
Hung K. Dao: Director Office, Bac Ninh Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital, Bac Ninh 161-23, Vietnam
Phuoc B. Nguyen: Director Office, Kien An Hospital, Hai Phong 046-09, Vietnam
Manh V. Trinh: Director Office, Quang Ninh General Hospital, Quang Ninh 011-08, Vietnam
Thinh V. Do: Director Office, Bai Chay Hospital, Quang Ninh 011-21, Vietnam
Hung Q. Nguyen: Director Office, Quang Ninh Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital, Quang Ninh 011-24, Vietnam
Thao T. P. Nguyen: Health Management Training Institute, Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Thua Thien Hue 491-20, Vietnam
Nhan P. T. Nguyen: General Planning Department, Da Nang Oncology Hospital, Da Nang 506-06, Vietnam
Cuong Q. Tran: Director Office, Thu Duc District Health Center, Ho Chi Minh City 713-10, Vietnam
Khanh V. Tran: Director Office, Hospital District 2, Ho Chi Minh City 711-13, Vietnam
Trang T. Duong: Nursing Office, Tan Phu District Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City 720-16, Vietnam
Thu T. M. Pham: Faculty of Public Health, Hai Phong University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hai Phong 042-12, Vietnam
Tuyen Van Duong: School of Nutrition and Health Sciences, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110-31, Taiwan

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 22, 1-12

Abstract: People with pre-existing health conditions (PEHC) are vulnerable to viral infection while health literacy (HL) and preventive behaviors (PB) have been shown to benefit people during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study was to examine the association between PEHC and suspected COVID-19 symptoms (S-COVID-19-S), and to investigate the modification effect of HL and PB. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 8291 participants visiting outpatient departments at 18 hospitals and health centers across Vietnam from 14 February to 31 May 2020. Data were collected regarding participant’s characteristics, HL, PB, PEHC, and S-COVID-19-S. Regression models were used for analyzing the associations. Results showed that people with PEHC had a 3.38 times higher likelihood of having S-COVID-19-S (odds ratio, OR, 3.38; 95% confidence interval, 95% CI, 3.01, 3.79; p < 0.001). In comparison to participants without PEHC and with the lowest HL score, those with PEHC and one HL score increment had a 7% lower likelihood of having S-COVID-19-S (OR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.92, 0.94; p < 0.001). In comparison to participants without PEHC and not adhering to mask wearing, those with PEHC and adhering to mask wearing had a 77% lower likelihood of having S-COVID-19-S (OR, 0.23; 95% CI, 0.16, 0.32; p < 0.001). Higher HL and adherence to mask wearing can protect people from having S-COVID-19-S, especially in those with PEHC.

Keywords: suspected COVID-19 symptoms; coronavirus; health literacy; preventive behaviors; mask wearing; hand washing; physical distancing; pre-existing health conditions (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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