There were 1,516 participants from the five macro-regions of Brazil. Table 1 shows the main characteristics of these participants, general and stratified by adoption of protection measures against COVID-19.
Table 1. Description of the sample according to the adoption of protective measures against COVID-19, Brazil, 2020 - 2021 (n = 1516)
Variables
|
Frequency and IC95%
|
Did not take any measure
Frequency e 95% CI
|
Adoption all measures Frequency e 95% CI
|
Sex
|
|
|
|
Female
|
73.0
70.7-75.2
|
15.8
13.7-18.1
|
84.2
81.9-86.3
|
Male
|
27.0
24.8-29.3
|
15.9
12.6-19.9
|
84.1
80.1-87.4
|
Age
|
|
|
|
18 - 39 years
|
34.6
32.1-37.1
|
15.6
12.6-19.1
|
84.4
80.9-87.4
|
40 - 59 years
|
41.8
39.2-44.4
|
12.2
9.8-15.1
|
87.8
84.9-90.2
|
60 or years
|
23.6
21.5-25.9
|
21.9
17.8-26.7
|
70.1
73.3-82.2
|
Education Level
|
|
|
|
Incomplete higher or less
|
24.4
22.2-26.7
|
20.2
16.3-24.7
|
79.8
75.3-83.7
|
Graduated
|
25.2
23.0-27.5
|
18.7
15.0-23.0
|
81.3
77.0-85.0
|
Post graduate or more
|
50.4
47.8-53.0
|
11.5
9.4-14.1
|
88.5
85.9-90.6
|
Skin color
|
|
|
|
White
|
68.1
65.6-70.5
|
15.5
13.4-17.9
|
84.5
82.1-86.6
|
Black
|
7.6
6.3-9.0
|
24.1
16.9-33.0
|
75.9
67.0-83.1
|
Brown
|
22.2
20.2-24.5
|
13.5
10.2-17.7
|
86.5
82.3-89.8
|
Yellow/Indigenous
|
2.1
1.5-3.0
|
20.0
9.3-38.0
|
80.0
62.0-90.7
|
Marital Status
|
|
|
|
Married/Stable Union
|
47.1
44.5-49.6
|
14.8
12.3-17.6
|
85.2
82.4-87.7
|
Separated/Single
|
50.4
47.9-53.0
|
16.5
14.0-19.4
|
83.5
80.6-86.0
|
Widowed
|
2.5
1.8-3.4
|
19.4
9.6-35.5
|
80.6
64.5-90.4
|
Health insurance
|
|
|
|
No
|
26.9
24.7-29.2
|
18.0
14.5-22.2
|
82.0
77.8-85.5
|
Yes
|
73.1
70.8-75.3
|
14.2
12.2-16.5
|
85.8
83.5-87.8
|
Use of SUS
|
|
|
|
No
|
36.0
33.6-38.6
|
16.9
13.9-20.4
|
83.1
79.6-86.1
|
Yes
|
64.0
61.4-66.4
|
14.4
12.3-16.8
|
85.6
83.2-87.7
|
Most participants were female (73.0%), reported white skin color (68.1%), aged between 40 and 59 years (41.8%), single (as), divorced (as), discharged (as) or separated (as) judicially (50.4%) and had postgraduate level or more (50.4%). About 73.1% had health insurance and 64.0% used the Health Public System (SUS). It was observed that 19.1% (95%CI: 17.2 - 21.2) of the people did not adopt any protection measure against COVID-19.
Figure 1 shows the application of the Local Bivariate Moran Index, which refers to the incidence rate for COVID-19 with people who have adopted at least one protection measure against COVID-19 (Fig 1 - A), there is a positive spatial association (High-high) in municipalities of all big regions of Brazil, except for the Northeast region, and negative spatial association (Low-low) in all five Brazilian big regions.
Regarding the COVID-19 mortality rate with people who have adopted at least one protection measure against COVID-19 (Fig 1 – B), it was possible to observe the same pattern described earlier, with municipalities classified as High-high (positive spatial association) present in all big regions of Brazil, with the exception of the Northeast, and classified as Low-low (negative spatial association) in all five Regions of the country.
Regarding the association between protective measures and sociodemographic factors, women took greater care in preventing COVID-19, and adopted protective measures 10% (95%CI: 1.05-1.15) more than men, results that remained significant even after adjustments for confounding factors (PR = 1.09; 95%CI: 1.04-1.14). In a previous studies developed in the United States, being female was considered a protective factor during the COVID-19 pandemic, since the female population has a greater adherence to the use of face masks when compared to men16,17. Historically, evidence shows that women tend to be more aware of their health status as well as seek care more proactively than men 18.
In the analyzes performed in this study, the age group between 40 and 59 years was the one that had the highest adherence to protection measures against COVID-19. Other studies corroborate this finding, since it has been observed that the increase in age is associated with higher morbidity and mortality, especially non-communicable chronic diseases, so that with advancing age, people are more likely to adhere to disease prevention and protection measures16.
A study conducted in Hong Kong during the swine flu pandemic showed that older people tend to take greater precautions with their health. Already during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, an observational study showed that the older the age the better adherence to protective measures16,17.
The results show that, even after adjusting for confounding factors, schooling was a protective factor against COVID-19. Those with complete higher education had a prevalence ratio of 8% (95%CI: 1.02-1.15) higher and those with postgraduate education or more 17% (95%CI: 1.11-1.24) had to adopt protective measures compared to those who had incomplete or less superior.
Studies indicate that the level of education is an important factor for adherence to individual and collective protection measures since a lower level of education reflects less access to information19. In Saudi Arabia, the level of knowledge about COVID-19 was directly associated with school level and family income20.
Lower education is a social vulnerability, and the most vulnerable population generally has less access to information for decision-making and less financial conditions to remain in quarantine. Thus, it can be assumed that less favored communities, with lower education, aggravated by lower income and less access to health services, suffer more from health inequities that were even more evident during the pandemic.
The results indicate that people self-declared black adopted fewer protective measures when compared to people with other skin color. Although the statistical significance of the categories is not maintained after adjusting for confounding factors, it is important to point out that in Brazil there are significant socioeconomic inequalities related to ethnic-racial issues, and most Brazilians with low income, lower education and less access to health services are black21.
In Brazil, 73% of the poor population is black22, it is worth noting that the average of deaths from COVID-19 in the five regions of Brazil was higher among black people, a fact that shows that this population is more exposed to being victims of the disease21. Then it is important to reflect that inequality is of great importance in social determinants in health and that this will reflect on how this population adheres or hesitates to protective measures19,21.
In a meta-analysis carried out during the COVID-19 pandemic, it was found that smokers are in the risk group of those most susceptible to complications of the disease, especially those who need hospitalization23 and this fact was widely publicized in the media, causing greater concern in this group. In the present study, it was identified that people who self-declared as smokers showed more care regarding protection against the infection of the new coronavirus when compared to people who do not have the habit of smoking.
In general, the arrival of the new coronavirus in the world has also shaken global religion, because it is known that historically religion and illness have a strong relation of mutual influence. In Brazil, the conflict between "science and religion" gained notoriety, causing political and social repercussions24. While the world was discussing the closure of mosques, suspension of religious meetings, cults and masses, in Brazil, the Presidential Decree nº 10.292, of March 25, 2020, was published25, establishing that religious activities of all kinds should be regarded as essential services, thus exempt from measures of social isolation.
The findings of this research showed that people with some religion adopted fewer protective measures when compared to people who defined themselves without religion, even after adjusting the confounding factors (Table 2).
Table 2. Association between adoption of protective measures and sociodemographic factors, Brazil, 2020 – 2021
Variables
|
Prevalence ratio and 95% CI
Gross results
|
Prevalence ratio and 95% CI
adjusted results
|
Sex
|
|
|
Male
|
Reference
|
Reference
|
Female
|
1.10
1.05-1.15
|
1.09
1.04-1.14
|
Age
|
|
|
18 - 39 years
|
Reference
|
Reference
|
40 - 59 years
|
1.09
1.05-1.15
|
1.05
1.01-1.11
|
60 years or more
|
1.03
0.98-1.09
|
0.99
0.94-1.05
|
Education Level
|
|
|
Incomplete higher or less
|
Reference
|
Reference
|
Graduated
|
1.11
1.05-1.18
|
1.08
1.02-1.15
|
Post graduate or more
|
1.21
1.16-1.28
|
1.17
1.11-1.24
|
Skin color
|
|
|
White
|
Reference
|
Reference
|
Black
|
0.86
0.80-0.94
|
0.98
0.90-1.06
|
Brown
|
0.98
0.94-1.03
|
1.01
0.96-1.08
|
Yellow/Indigenous
|
0.95
0.82-1.09
|
0.96
0.83-1.10
|
Marital Status
|
|
|
Married/Stable Union
|
Reference
|
Reference
|
Separated/Single
|
0.94
0.91-0.98
|
0.98
0.94-1.03
|
Widowed
|
0.98
0.86-1.11
|
0.91
0.79-1.05
|
smoking
|
|
|
No
|
Reference
|
Reference
|
Yes
|
1.16
1.08-1.24
|
1.17
1.09-1.25
|
Religion
|
|
|
Yes
|
Reference
|
Reference
|
No
|
1.07
1.03-1.12
|
1.08
1.03-1.13
|
* Adjusted for sex, skin color, age, education and marital status
Table 3 shows the association between the adoption of protective measures with situations of vulnerability and health services. The results showed that there was significance between the loss of income during the pandemic and adherence to protective measures, but the results lost statistical significance after adjustments to confounding factors. Similar results were found among those receiving government social support.
Table 3. Association between adoption of protection measures with situations of vulnerability and health services, Brazil, 2020 - 2021
Variables
|
Prevalence ratio and 95% CI
Gross results
|
Prevalence ratio and 95% CI
adjusted results
|
Loss of income during the pandemic
|
|
|
No
|
Reference
|
Reference
|
Yes
|
0.96
0.92-0.99
|
0.99
0.95-1.03
|
government aid
|
|
|
No
|
Reference
|
Reference
|
Yes
|
0.86
0.81-0.91
|
0.95
0.89-1.02
|
Community health agent visit
|
|
|
No
|
Reference
|
Reference
|
Yes
|
0.90
0.86-0.95
|
0.93
0.87-0.98
|
Health plan
|
|
|
No
|
Reference
|
Reference
|
Yes
|
1.15
1.10-1.20
|
1.07
1.02-1.13
|
Use of SUS
|
|
|
No
|
Reference
|
Reference
|
Yes
|
1.00
0.96-1.04
|
1.03
0.98-1.07
|
* Adjusted for sex, skin color, age, education and marital status
Participants who received visits from community health agents adopted fewer protective measures, even after adjusting for confounding factors (PR: 0.93; 95% CI: 0.93-0.98). Compared to those without health insurance, those who had health insurance were more likely to adhere to protective measures against COVID-19, even after adjusting for confounding factors (PR: 1.07; 95%CI: 1.02-1.13). The use of SUS showed no association with the adoption of protective measures.
From a social perspective, it is possible to assume that those who have health insurance have better financial conditions and that those who receive visits from the community agents have a more unfavorable socioeconomic situation, so that adherence to social isolation, for example, would cause loss of source of income, since in Brazil, an important portion of the population works informally. This fact corroborates the findings about the lower income English population, who would like to be in isolation during the pandemic, but has this possibility decreased by up to three times in relation to the higher income segments26.
Therefore, we emphasize the importance of income transfer policies for the portion of the population that cannot isolate themselves, as a way to expand the strategy to combat the pandemic, while minimizing the impact on social well-being.
Table 4 shows the association between adherence to protective measures and carrying non-communicable chronic diseases. Being a carrier of Asthma, Diabetes Melittus, Systemic Arterial Hypertension and Obesity were factors that increased the adherence of protective measures in the fight against COVID-19, even after adjustments to confounding factors.
Table 4. Association between adoption of protective measures with chronic diseases, Brazil, 2020 - 2021
Variables
|
Prevalence ratio and 95% CI
Gross results
|
Prevalence ratio and 95% CI
adjusted results
|
Asthma
|
|
|
No
|
Reference
|
Reference
|
Yes
|
1.26
1.17-1.36
|
1.20
1.10-1.30
|
Diabetes
|
|
|
No
|
Reference
|
Reference
|
Yes
|
1.35
1.25-1.45
|
1.30
1.20-1.41
|
Hypertension
|
|
|
No
|
Reference
|
Reference
|
Yes
|
1.34
1.27-1.40
|
1.29
1.23-1.37
|
Obesity
|
|
|
No
|
Reference
|
Reference
|
Yes
|
1.31
1.24-1.38
|
1.23
1.17-1.30
|
other diseases
|
|
|
No
|
Reference
|
Reference
|
Yes
|
1.22
1.15-1.29
|
1.15
1.08-1.22
|
* Adjusted for sex, skin color, age, education and marital status
Although the epidemiological profile of people affected by COVID-19 is not fully understood, studies indicate that the most severe forms of infection are more likely to occur in the elderly and in individuals with comorbidities23. In addition, mortality is also significantly higher among the elderly with pre-existing health conditions, such as systemic arterial hypertension, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes mellitus 27.
Several studies have reported that patients with chronic diseases have more unfavorable outcomes regarding hospitalizations and mortality23, and data from information systems in the country confirm this evidence. In the study "Social Barometer in Portugal", the elderly and those with chronic diseases considered themselves at high risk of developing a severe course of the disease in case of COVID-19 infection9. This self-perception of risk is considered a protective factor, since those who consider themselves more likely to have complications from the disease tend to protect themselves more.
In Brazil, these diseases affect almost half of people aged 65 years or older (44.6%), population vulnerable to COVID-19, namely due to age-related fragility and immune system decline. In fact, morbidity seems to be the strongest determinant of the perception of risk of becoming ill and presenting complications resulting from the disease, which consequently increases adherence to protective measures.
The plausible risk of worsening COVID-19 has been widely reported by the media, medical societies, public health institutes, health authorities and patient organizations. Therefore, it is not surprising that people with comorbidities were particularly concerned about the risk of developing severe outcomes after COVID-19.
This study evaluated the adherence of measures to protect the Brazilian population during the COVID-19 pandemic in the country. Data were collected at the first moment of the pandemic, where isolation measures were more restrictive, vaccination was restricted to priority groups (health professionals and the elderly), and much misinformation circulated. The results show that almost one fifth of the sample did not adopt any measures to protect themselves from the new coronavirus, and that sociodemographic determinants and the presence of chronic diseases are associated with preventive behaviors.
Other pandemics have occurred in history, some with repeated cycles for centuries, such as smallpox and measles, or for decades, such as cholera. Influenza pandemics by H1N1, H2N2, H3N3 and H5N1, known respectively as "Spanish flu", "Asian flu", "Hong Kong flu" and "avian flu", however, the COVID-19 numbers are alarming.
In just over two years of the new coronavirus pandemic, there are already more than 530 million confirmed cases in the world, especially Brazil, which is in 3rd place in the ranking of cases, surpassing the range of 31 million infected people, lagging only the United States and India3. Such numbers may be associated with the low adherence of the population to protection measures against COVID-19, which may have been triggered by the little government investment in health education actions, as well as, by economic pressures against the measures of isolation and social distancing6.
Understanding how the population protects itself and what factors are considered protective is part of the process for formulating strategies to contain the virus. Being female, aged 40 to 59 years, higher education, smoking, not having a religion, having health insurance, and being a carrier of chronic diseases were associated with greater adherence to protective measures against COVID-19.
Although the present study sought to obtain a representative sample of the Brazilian population, the method used, as a convenience sample in the online modality, represented a limitation of the study. When it comes to online research, individuals with higher education are the most involved, a fact that can be observed in research with this characteristic approach observed in this study28,29.
The difficulty of access to the internet, as well as the restricted access to some social layers has already been cited in the literature as a research bias, since the possibility that the participants of the research were composed mainly of people with high level of education and higher income, as already demonstrated in other studies30.
Even in the face of the social vulnerability that the pandemic has generated in the country, a key point for its confrontation is the adhesion of protective measures. The survey data showed that most respondents are contributing to this purpose. This refers to the urgency of social protection measures and financial support, primarily for the most vulnerable social segments.
It is suggested in future studies, the continuity of this with isonomy of the sample contemplating the greatest social diversity, since the method used excluded an important portion of the population that did not have access to the online survey. Certainly, a methodological design that includes follow-up or longitudinal measures is important for monitoring the behavior of all segments of the population and at all stages of the pandemic.