Life after Lockdown: An Exploratory Qualitative Study of Behaviors and Impacts of Avoiding COVID-19 in Individuals at High Risk of Severe COVID-19 and Their Caregivers

Tiago Maia, Renata Yokota, Sofie Arnetorp, Joanne Smith, Gail Rae-Garwood, Gabriella Settergren, Marie Eckerd and Paul Williams ()
Additional contact information
Tiago Maia: Patient Centered Solutions, IQVIA, 2740-266 Porto Salvo, Portugal
Renata Yokota: Epidemiology & Pharmacovigilance, P95, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
Sofie Arnetorp: Health Economics & Payer Evidence, Vaccines & Immune Therapies, BioPharmaceuticals Medical, AstraZeneca, 431 83 Gothenburg, Sweden
Joanne Smith: Patient representative, Vale of Glamorgan, UK
Gail Rae-Garwood: Patient representative, Glendale, AZ, USA
Gabriella Settergren: Global Evidence Portfolio Delivery, BioPharmaceuticals Medical, AstraZeneca, 431 83 Gothenburg, Sweden
Marie Eckerd: Global Patient Engagement R&I, AstraZeneca, Wilmington, DE 19850, USA
Paul Williams: Patient Centered Solutions, IQVIA, 92400 Courbevoie, France

IJERPH, 2024, vol. 21, issue 10, 1-22

Abstract: This exploratory qualitative study involved semi-structured interviews with adults and caregivers of adults at high risk of severe COVID-19, addressing current COVID-19 avoidance and protective behaviors and how these behaviors impacted their lives. Results were interpreted in a separate think tank session. Insights were developed into a conceptual model of COVID-19 avoidance and protective behaviors and the associated impacts on health-related quality of life and overall functioning. Data were interpreted using a hybrid inductive and deductive thematic analysis. Twelve high-risk individuals and two caregivers were interviewed across four focus groups (April–July 2022). Major behavioral themes included physical distancing, physical and medical protection, quality of support services and networks, and information to make decisions. Major impacts included family, social, and emotional functioning; work and finances; and healthcare access. The final conceptual model comprised 13 behaviors to avoid COVID-19 categorized within four themes, and 13 impacts within five themes. Individuals at high risk of severe COVID-19 and their caregivers continue practicing COVID-19 avoidance behaviors post-lockdown and feel left behind by the general population. Our conceptual model may be used to inform health authorities and other governing bodies’ decisions in executing strategies aimed at improving these individuals’ lives.

Keywords: physical distancing; quality of life; conceptual model; immunocompromised; focus group; SARS-CoV-2 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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