What Predicts Adherence to Governmental COVID-19 Measures among Danish Students?

Gabriele Berg-Beckhoff, Julie Dalgaard Guldager, Pernille Tanggaard Andersen, Christiane Stock and Signe Smith Jervelund
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Gabriele Berg-Beckhoff: Unit for Health Promotion Research, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, 6700 Esbjerg, Denmark
Julie Dalgaard Guldager: Unit for Health Promotion Research, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, 6700 Esbjerg, Denmark
Pernille Tanggaard Andersen: Unit for Health Promotion Research, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, 6700 Esbjerg, Denmark
Christiane Stock: Unit for Health Promotion Research, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, 6700 Esbjerg, Denmark
Signe Smith Jervelund: Department of Public Health, Section for Health Services Research, University of Copenhagen, 1014 Copenhagen, Denmark

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 4, 1-13

Abstract: Knowledge on compliance with governmental recommendations in combating the spread of COVID-19 in different groups is important to target efforts. This study investigated the adherence to the governmental implemented COVID-19 measures and its predictors in Danish university students, a not-at-risk group for COVID-19 mortality and normally characterized by many social contacts. As part of the COVID-19 International Student Wellbeing Study, a survey on socio-demographic situation, study information, living arrangements, lifestyle behaviors, stress, questions about COVID-19 infection and knowledge and concern about COVID-19 infection was sent via email to relevant university students in Denmark in May, 2020 ( n = 2.945). Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis was employed. Our results showed that around 60% of the students were not concerned about COVID-19, while 68% reported that they followed governmental measures. The main facilitators for following the recommendations were older age, concern about COVID-19 and depression, while barriers were living in a student hall, being physical active or reporting mental stress. Only 9% of the variation in adhering to governmental recommendations could be explained by the analyzed predictors. Results may inform health communication. Emotionally appealing information rather than knowledge-based information may be more effective in motivating students to follow COVID-19 measures.

Keywords: COVID-19; risk behavior; students; governmental recommendation predictors (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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