Reported Adherence to Covid-19 NOn-Pharmaceutical Interventions In Young People

Abstract

“Non-pharmaceutical Interventions” (NPIs) are effective public health interventions for COVID-19, but NPIs’ compliance could be low in younger individuals. We determine whether NPIs’ adherence in a young population is associated with COVID-19 infection, describe beliefs about the effectivity, and barriers to adherence.

A case-control study was conducted among 18-29-year-old subjects exposed to COVID19 outbreaks in social events. Self-reported adherence to NPIs during the event was studied in confirmed COVID-19 cases and controls (close contact of confirmed cases).

6 outbreaks were studied. 40 cases and 40 controls were interviewed. The adherence during the social event was low, with higher non-compliance in COVID-19 cases (98% report not using a face mask and 88% not maintaining physical distance, than in controls (58% and 55% respectively, all ps<.05). Interestingly, >90% of the participants believe that these NPIs were effective, but more cases state that they are not susceptible to the disease (88% cases vs. 45% controls), all ps<.05. The main barrier to adherence was “low-risk perception in the friends’ group.”

Self-reported adherence, and perception of susceptibility to the disease is low, but higher adherence was reported in close contacts who did not develop the disease. Low-risk perception among friends was the perceived barrier.