Observational studyBMJ open2021
Do people with mental health problems have lower adherence to precautionary measures in COVID-19 pandemic? A cross-sectional observational study in Hong Kong.
Observational study in BMJ open, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 8 papers.
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Who cites it
8 citing papers in PubMed.
- Psychological distress and compliance with sanitary measures during the Covid-19 pandemic.PloS one · 2025Article
- Mental health and the overall tendency to follow official recommendations against COVID-19: A U-shaped relationship?PloS one · 2024Article
- Differential practice and associated factors of COVID-19 personal preventive measures among the slum and estate communities of Uganda: A community-based cross-sectional survey.Journal of global health · 2023Article
- Association of Depression With Precautionary Behavior Compliance, COVID-19 Fear, and Health Behaviors in South Korea: National Cross-sectional Study.JMIR public health and surveillance · 2023Article
- Correlation between Baseline 25(OH) Vitamin D Levels and Both Humoral Immunity and Breakthrough Infection Post-COVID-19 Vaccination.Vaccines · 2022Article
- Is self-reported depression, HIV status, COVID-19 health risk profile and SARS-CoV-2 exposure associated with difficulty in adhering to COVID-19 prevention measures among residents in West Africa?BMC public health · 2022Article
- Psychosocial Factors Associated With Adherence to COVID-19 Preventive Measures in Low-Middle- Income Countries, December 2020 to February 2021.International journal of public health · 2022Article
- Common mental disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong: Age-related differences and implications for dementia risk.Frontiers in psychiatry · 2022Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
5 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
objectivesMental health problems are prevalent during the COVID-19 pandemic, but their effect on adherence to precautionary measures is not well understood. Given that psychological morbidities are associated with lower treatment adherence, and that precautionary measures are important in containing the spread of COVID-19, this study aims to determine if people with mental health problems have lower adherence to precautionary measures against COVID-19.
designWe conducted a cross-sectional territory-wide online survey between 17 June and 31 July 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Clinically significant mental health problems, adherence to precautionary behaviours, and confounding factors such as sociodemographic factors and self-reported physical health were assessed.
settingThe link to the questionnaire was disseminated to the general population in all 18 districts of Hong Kong using various social media platforms.
participants1036 individuals completed the survey. Of them, 1030 met the inclusion criteria of being adult Hong Kong residents. PRIMARY OUTCOME: Adherence to precautionary measures against COVID-19, including wearing face mask, frequent handwashing, household disinfection, social distancing, minimising unnecessary travel, and stocking up on food and daily essentials.
resultsOf the 1030 participants, 166 (16.1%) had clinically significant mental health problems. Interestingly, they were more likely to stock up on food and daily essentials during the pandemic (7 (4.2%) vs 15 (1.7%), p=0.04; unadjusted OR=2.49, 95% CI=1.00 to 6.21, p<0.05) and had a lesser tendency to stop social distancing even if the pandemic subsides (86 (51.8%) vs 513 (59.4%), p=0.07; unadjusted OR=0.74, 95% CI=0.53 to 1.03, p=0.07). The latter association remained significant after adjusting for the confounding factors (adjusted OR=0.68, 95% CI=0.48 to 0.96, p=0.03).
conclusionsContrary to our hypothesis, people who are mentally unwell might go beyond the recommended precautionary measures. Our findings highlight the need to identify mental health problems and provide care and support for those who might go too far with precautionary measures. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ChiCTR 2000033936.
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