Risk Perception of COVID-19 Infection and Adherence to Preventive Measures among Adolescents and Young Adults

Abstract

To explore factors influencing adolescents and young adults’ (AYAs) risk perception of COVID-19 and adherence to public health measures, we conducted a cross-sectional online survey of AYAs (14–22 years old) from Quebec (Canada) recruited through school and community partners in April 2020 during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. The study included 3037 participants (mean age = 17.7 years, 74.6% female). AYAs had higher mean (standard deviation (SD)) risk perception of COVID-19 for their relatives (8.2 (1.9)) than for themselves (5.6 (2.6)) (p < 0.001). Factors associated with higher risk perception included higher disease knowledge (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.06, 95% CI 1.01–1.11), presence of chronic disease (aOR 2.31, 95%CI 1.82–2.93) and use of immunosuppressants (aOR 2.53, 95%CI 1.67–3.87). AYAs with a higher risk perception (aOR 1.06, 95%CI 1.02–1.10) those wishing to help flatten the disease curve (aOR 1.18, 95%CI 1.12–1.25) or to protect their family/friends (aOR 1.14, 95%CI 1.05–1.24) were more likely to engage in preventive behaviors. Self-perceived risk and desire to protect others were significantly associated with adherence to preventive measures among youth. These findings may help inform public health messaging to AYAs in the current and future pandemics.

Adolescents’ experiences of the information they received about the coronavirus (Covid-19) in Norway: a cross-sectional study

“…They argued that adolescents may have been more motivated to engage in protective behaviors if they were reminded about the possible consequences of infection for people in high-risk groups, such as older people [ 20 ]. Yang et al [ 21 ] came to the same conclusion, and found that protecting family and friends at risk was a motivating factor for adolescents to adhere to preventive measures.…”

“…Most adolescents do not develop severe symptoms when infected with Covid-19 [ 19 ], which might make then less inclined to seek out information due to a lower perceived risk [ 20 ]. One study found that higher perceived risk among adolescents was associated with the presence of risk factors for and knowledge of Covid-19, and that knowledge was related to better compliance with preventive measures [ 21 ], suggesting that improving knowledge about Covid-19 could be a good strategy to increase protective behavior in this age group [ 21 ]. Abbott et al [ 20 ] criticized messaging efforts aimed at adolescents in the USA, which stressed that it is unlikely the virus would make them seriously ill.…”

An Overview of Asthma and COVID-19: Protective Factors Against SARS-COV-2 in Pediatric Patients

“…In a cross-sectional study on adolescents with chronic diseases, including asthma, 60% respondents reported high adherence to preventive measures such as hand-washing, avoiding group gatherings, reducing use of public transportation and avoiding public places. The rate of adherence to preventive measures was similar for respondents with and without chronic diseases ( 42 ). However, evidence on young children is lacking.…”

Explaining the reasons for not maintaining the health guidelines to prevent COVID-19 in high-risk jobs: a qualitative study in Iran

“…However, the population in their study was medical students who have higher health literacy than the samples studied in the present study. Regarding the knowledge and understanding of the disease in a study in Canada, the results showed that the knowledge and understanding of the risk of the disease are effective in observing the preventive behaviors for COVID-19 [ 42 ]. In the studies of Smith et al, 2020, in the United Kingdom and Carlucci et al, 2020, in Italy, low perception of risk played a role in non-adherence to home quarantine and health norms [ 43 , 44 ].…”