Adherence to social distancing and use of personal protective equipment and the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection in a cohort of patients with multiple sclerosis

Abstract

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Health Risks and Consequences of a COVID-19 Infection for People with Disabilities: Scoping Review and Descriptive Thematic Analysis

“…Finally, the results of survey research in Italy may help explain why some groups of people with disabilities living in the community may have been less exposed to a COVID-19 infection. The study showed generally good adherence of persons with Multiple Sclerosis ( n = 551) to lockdown and extensive use of protection devices, as measured by Lockdown Scores [ 65 ]. Overall, the authors found that women, older persons, persons with disabilities, and those who were unemployed had higher Lockdown Scores ( p < 0.05) [ 65 ].…”

“…The study showed generally good adherence of persons with Multiple Sclerosis ( n = 551) to lockdown and extensive use of protection devices, as measured by Lockdown Scores [ 65 ]. Overall, the authors found that women, older persons, persons with disabilities, and those who were unemployed had higher Lockdown Scores ( p < 0.05) [ 65 ]. It is possible though, that this can arise from the combination of greater cautions due to the fear of the greater health consequences of an infection as well as lower social participation levels.…”

“…Fifth, little and somewhat inconclusive data was found on any disproportionate infection rates among people with disabilities living in the community. As an exception, one study showed that community-dwelling people with disabilities extensively used protection devices, as measured by Lockdown Scores, similar to women, older persons, and those who were unemployed [ 65 ]. It is possible that lower social participation levels of these often marginalized or vulnerable groups may temporarily protect people with disabilities living in the community from infection risks, but exacerbates other structural, social, and even health disparities (other than from a COVID-19 infection), which are addressed in our second paper [ 19 ].…”

PREparedness, REsponse and SySTemic transformation (PRE-RE-SyST): a model for disability-inclusive pandemic responses and systemic disparities reduction derived from a scoping review and thematic analysis

“…For example, specially trained support workers can be made available 24/7 from a simple contact mechanism, either for planned or unplanned needs of PwD [ 74 ]. Support provided can include the delivery of basic goods (e.g., medications, food) at home [ 47 , 53 , 89 ]. Buzzers, alarms, helplines as well as emergency contact numbers might be available for PwD to use them in emergencies (e.g.…”

PREparadness, REsponse and SySTemic transformation (PRE-RE-SyST): a model for disability-inclusive pandemic responses and systemic disparities reduction derived from a scoping review and thematic analysis

“…[75] Support provided can include the delivery of basic goods (e.g., medications, food) at home. [48,54,90] Buzzers, alarms, helplines as well as emergency contact numbers might be available for PwD to use them in emergencies (e.g. falls, acute disease, maltreatment, or abuse).…”