Handwashing (Tables 1 and 2). Almost all (93.4%) respondents said they were washing their hands often with soap and water to prevent COVID-19. Women more often reported frequent handwashing than men. Respondents 60 years of age or older more often reported frequent handwashing than respondents in younger age categories (45-59 year-olds, 30-44 year-olds, and 18-29 year-olds); 45-59 year-olds more often reported frequent handwashing than 30-44 and 18-29 year-olds. Respondents in the highest annual income category ($100k or more) reported the highest rate of handwashing (95.9%); in general, respondents with higher, compared to lower, incomes more often reported frequent handwashing. Respondents with a Bachelor’s degree or higher reported the highest rate of handwashing (96.0%) compared to other educational levels. Overall, respondents with higher, compared to lower, educational levels more often reported frequent handwashing. Those who rated their health as excellent, compared to those with a lower health self-rating, more often reported frequent handwashing (95.4%). Respondents with self-rated health of fair, good, very good, or excellent more often reported frequent handwashing than those with self-rated poor health. Respondents with good or very good self-rated health more often reported frequent handwashing than those with fair self-rated health, and those with excellent self-rated health more often reported frequent handwashing than those with very good self-rated health. Respondents living in the northeast region of the U.S. reported the highest rate of handwashing (95.4%) and more often reported frequent handwashing than those living in the south and west. No differences by race/ethnicity or metropolitan status were significant.
Disinfecting (Tables 1 and 2). Nearly three-fourths (74.0%) of respondents said they were disinfecting surfaces at home and work often to prevent COVID-19. Women more often than men (78.7% vs. 69.1%) reported frequent surface disinfection. Respondents aged 45–59 years old reported the highest rate of disinfecting surfaces (77.2%) and more often reported frequent surface disinfection than those aged 30-44 and 18-29 years old. Respondents 60 years of age and older more often reported frequent surface disinfection than those aged 18-29 years old. Respondents in the highest annual income category ($100k or more), compared to lower categories, reported the highest rate of disinfecting surfaces (75.8%). Respondents in the highest income categories ($100k or more, 50k-$99k, $25k-$49k) more often reported frequent surface disinfection than those in the lowest category (<$25k). Non-Hispanic Blacks reported the highest rate of disinfecting surfaces (79.6%); non-Hispanic Blacks and Hispanics, compared to non-Hispanic Whites, more often reported frequent surface disinfection. Respondents who rated their health as excellent, compared to those with a lower health self-rating, more often reported frequent surface disinfection (75.8%). Respondents with self-rated health of good, very good, and excellent more often reported frequent surface disinfection than respondents with poor self-rated health. Those with good, compared to fair, self-rated health more often reported frequent surface disinfection. Respondents living in metropolitan, compared to non-metropolitan, areas more often reported frequent surface disinfection. Those living in the northeast more often reported disinfecting surfaces than those living in the west. No differences by education were significant.
Table 1. Percentages of respondents who reported handwashing and disinfecting surfaces often to prevent coronavirus, by demographic characteristics – Spring ConsumerStyles 2020
Characteristic
|
Categories
|
Washing hands often
n (weighted %)
|
Disinfecting surfaces often
n (weighted %)
|
All respondents
|
--
|
6,013 (93.4%)
|
4,768 (74.0%)
|
Gender
|
Female
|
3,153 (94.5)
|
2,624 (78.7)
|
|
Male
|
2,860 (92.1)
|
2,145 (69.1)
|
Age
|
18-29
|
1,194 (91.4)
|
909 (69.6)
|
|
30-44
|
1,546 (90.1)
|
1,182 (73.4)
|
|
45-59
|
1,546 (94.7)
|
1,261 (77.2)
|
|
>60
|
1,822 (96.4)
|
1,417 (74.9)
|
Income
|
<$25k
|
745 (86.4)
|
587 (68.1)
|
|
$25k-$49k
|
1,050 (92.9)
|
850 (75.2)
|
|
$50k-$99k
|
1,977 (93.6)
|
1,560 (73.9)
|
|
>$100k
|
2,242 (95.9)
|
1,771 (75.8)
|
Education
|
Less than high school
|
550 (84.7)
|
463 (71.4)
|
|
High school
|
1,662 (91.7)
|
1,324 (73.1)
|
|
Some college
|
1,713 (95.0)
|
1,812 (76.6)
|
|
Bachelor’s degree or higher
|
2,088 (96.0)
|
1,599 (73.5)
|
Race/Ethnicity
|
Non-Hispanic White
|
3,847 (94.0)
|
2,982 (72.8)
|
|
Non-Hispanic Black
|
683 (91.2)
|
596 (79.6)
|
|
Hispanic
|
964 (92.0)
|
816 (77.9)
|
|
Multiracial/Other
|
91 (96.4)
|
68 (72.7)
|
Self-rated health1
|
Excellent
|
2,333 (95.4)
|
1,874 (76.6)
|
|
Very good
|
2,237 (94.1)
|
1,759 (74.0)
|
|
Good
|
749 (90.0)
|
566 (68.0)
|
|
Fair
|
577 (92.4)
|
470 (75.3)
|
|
Poor
|
113 (75.2)
|
96 (63.4)
|
Region3
|
Northeast
|
1,075 (95.4)
|
865 (76.8)
|
|
Midwest
|
1,248 (93.8)
|
994 (74.7)
|
|
South
|
2,264 (92.8)
|
1,815 (74.4)
|
|
West
|
1,427 (92.5)
|
1,094 (70.9)
|
Metropolitan status2
|
Metro
|
5,233 (93.7)
|
4,169 (74.6)
|
|
Non-metro
|
780 (91.3)
|
560 (70.2)
|
1Health status assessed by asking “In general, would you say your health is…”
2Metropolitan status was defined as a core-based statistical area.
3 Region categories based on U.S. Census
Table 2. Prevalence ratios, confidence intervals, and p-values for comparisons of respondents’ self-reported handwashing and surface disinfecting, by demographic characteristics – Spring ConsumerStyles 2020*
|
|
Washing hands often
|
|
Disinfecting surfaces often
|
Characteristic
|
Comparison1
|
% vs. %1
|
PR2 (95% CI3)
|
p
|
|
% vs. %1
|
95% CI3
|
p
|
Gender
|
Female vs. Male
|
94.5 vs. 92.1
|
1.03 (1.01, 1.04)
|
.004
|
|
78.7 vs. 69.1
|
1.14 (1.10, 1.18)
|
.001
|
Age
|
>60 vs. 45–59
|
96.4 vs. 94.7
|
1.02 (1.00, 1.03)
|
.037
|
|
74.9 vs. 77.2
|
0.97 (0.933, 1.01)
|
.125
|
|
>60 vs. 30–44
|
96.4 vs. 90.1
|
1.07 (1.05, 1.10)
|
.001
|
|
74.9 vs. 73.4
|
1.05 (0.99, 1.12)
|
.121
|
|
>60 vs. 18–29
|
96.4 vs. 91.4
|
1.05 (1.02, 1.09)
|
.001
|
|
74.9 vs. 69.6
|
1.08 (1.01, 1.15)
|
.026
|
|
45–59 vs. 30–44
|
94.7 vs. 90.1
|
1.05 (1.03, 1.08)
|
.001
|
|
77.2 vs. 73.4
|
1.05 (1.01, 1.10)
|
.023
|
|
45–59 vs. 18–29
|
94.7 vs. 91.4
|
1.04 (1.01, 1.07)
|
.022
|
|
77.2 vs. 69.6
|
1.09 (1.00, 1.19)
|
.048
|
|
30–44 vs. 18–29
|
90.1 vs. 91.4
|
0.98 (0.95, 1.01)
|
.392
|
|
73.4 vs. 69.6
|
1.05 (0.98, 1.13)
|
.132
|
Income
|
>$100k vs. $50k–$99k
|
95.9 vs. 93.6
|
1.02 (1.01, 1.04)
|
.010
|
|
75.8 vs. 73.9
|
1.03 (0.98, 1.07)
|
.242
|
|
>$100k vs. $25k–$49k
|
95.9 vs. 92.9
|
1.03 (1.00, 1.06)
|
.005
|
|
75.8 vs. 75.2
|
1.00 (0.93, 1.07)
|
.984
|
|
>$100k vs. <$25k
|
95.9 vs. 86.4
|
1.11 (1.07, 1.16)
|
.001
|
|
75.8 vs. 68.1
|
1.11 (1.04, 1.19)
|
.002
|
|
$50k–$99k vs. $25k–$49k
|
93.6 vs. 92.9
|
1.01 (0.98, 1.03)
|
.520
|
|
73.9 vs. 75.2
|
0.98 (0.93, 1.04)
|
.508
|
|
$50k–$99k vs. <$25k
|
93.6 vs. 86.4
|
1.08 (1.04, 1.13)
|
.001
|
|
73.9 vs. 68.1
|
1.12 (1.01, 1.23)
|
.026
|
|
$25k–$49k vs. <$25k
|
92.9 vs. 86.4
|
1.08 (1.03, 1.12)
|
.001
|
|
75.2 vs. 68.1
|
1.10 (1.02, 1.19)
|
.010
|
Education
|
Bachelor’s degree or higher vs. Some college
|
96.0 vs. 95.0
|
1.01 (0.99, 1.03)
|
.210
|
|
73.5 vs. 76.6
|
0.96 (0.92, 1.00)
|
.043
|
|
Bachelor’s degree or higher vs. High school
|
96.0 vs. 91.7
|
1.04 (1.02, 1.07)
|
.001
|
|
73.5 vs. 73.1
|
1.02 (0.96, 1.09)
|
.535
|
|
Bachelor’s degree or higher vs. <High school
|
96.0 vs. 84.7
|
1.13 (1.07, 1.20)
|
.001
|
|
73.5 vs. 71.4
|
1.03 (0.95, 1.12)
|
.494
|
|
Some college vs. High school
|
95.0 vs. 91.7
|
1.04 (1.01, 1.06)
|
.002
|
|
76.6 vs. 73.1
|
1.05 (1.00, 1.10)
|
.054
|
|
Some college vs. <High school
|
95.0 vs. 84.7
|
1.12 (1.06, 1.19)
|
.001
|
|
76.6 vs. 71.4
|
1.11 (0.99, 1.24)
|
.074
|
|
High school vs. <High school
|
91.7 vs. 84.7
|
1.08 (1.02, 1.15)
|
.006
|
|
73.1 vs. 71.4
|
1.02 (0.94, 1.12)
|
.595
|
Race/Ethnicity
|
Non-Hispanic Black vs.
Non-Hispanic White
|
91.2 vs. 94.0
|
0.97 (0.94, 1.00)
|
.080
|
|
79.6 vs. 72.8
|
1.09 (1.04, 1.15)
|
.001
|
|
Hispanic vs. Non-Hispanic White
|
92.0 vs. 94.0
|
0.98 (0.95, 1.01)
|
.141
|
|
77.9 vs. 72.8
|
1.07 (1.02, 1.13)
|
.011
|
|
Hispanic vs. Non-Hispanic Black
|
92.0 vs. 91.2
|
1.01 (0.97, 1.05)
|
.679
|
|
77.9 vs. 79.6
|
0.98 (0.91, 1.05)
|
.531
|
|
Multiracial/Other vs.
Non-Hispanic White
|
94.5 vs. 94.0
|
1.01 (0.97, 1.04)
|
.752
|
|
72.7 vs. 72.8
|
0.94 (0.86, 1.02)
|
.120
|
Self-rated health
|
Fair vs. Poor
|
92.4 vs. 75.2
|
1.20 (1.05, 1.36)
|
.007
|
|
75.3 vs. 63.4
|
1.07 (0.90, 1.27)
|
.418
|
|
Good vs. Poor
|
90.0 vs. 75.2
|
1.25 (1.10, 1.42)
|
.001
|
|
68.0 vs. 63.4
|
1.35 (1.07, 1.70)
|
.012
|
|
Very good vs. Poor
|
94.1 vs. 75.2
|
1.26 (1.12, 1.44)
|
.001
|
|
74.0 vs. 63.4
|
1.36 (1.08, 1.71)
|
.010
|
|
Excellent vs. Poor
|
95.4 vs. 75.2
|
1.23 (1.08, 1.40)
|
.002
|
|
76.6 vs. 63.4.
|
1.19 (1.00, 1.41)
|
.046
|
|
Good vs. Fair
|
90.0 vs. 92.4
|
1.05 (1.01, 1.08)
|
.011
|
|
68.0 vs. 75.3
|
1.09 (1.02, 1.16)
|
.016
|
|
Very good vs. Fair
|
94.1 vs. 92.4
|
1.06 (1.02, 1.10)
|
.001
|
|
74.0 vs. 75.3
|
1.07 (0.98, 1.16)
|
.148
|
|
Excellent vs. Fair
|
95.4 vs. 92.4
|
1.03 (0.98, 1.07)
|
.236
|
|
76.6 vs. 75.3
|
1.07 (0.95, 1.19)
|
.252
|
|
Very good vs. Good
|
94.1 vs. 90.0
|
1.01 (1.00, 1.03)
|
.134
|
|
74.0 vs. 68.0
|
1.04 (1.00, 1.08)
|
.084
|
|
Excellent vs. Good
|
95.4 vs. 90.0
|
0.98 (0.95, 1.01)
|
.273
|
|
76.6 vs. 68.0
|
1.01 (0.92, 1.10)
|
.837
|
|
Excellent vs. Very good
|
95.4 vs. 94.1
|
0.97 (0.94, 1.00)
|
.051
|
|
76.6 vs. 74.0
|
0.98 (0.92, 1.05)
|
.596
|
Region
|
Northeast vs. Midwest
|
95.4 vs. 93.8
|
1.02 (1.00, 1.04)
|
.128
|
|
76.8 vs. 74.7
|
1.03 (0.98, 1.08)
|
.301
|
|
Northeast vs. South
|
95.4 vs. 92.8
|
1.03 (1.01, 1.05)
|
.013
|
|
76.8 vs. 74.4
|
1.03 (0.98, 1.09)
|
.196
|
|
Northeast vs. West
|
95.4 vs. 92.5
|
1.03 (1.01, 1.06)
|
.012
|
|
76.8 vs. 70.9
|
1.08 (1.02, 1.15)
|
.005
|
|
West vs. Midwest
|
92.5 vs. 93.8
|
0.99 (0.96, 1.01)
|
.265
|
|
70.9 vs. 74.7
|
0.95 (0.90, 1.00)
|
.058
|
|
West vs. South
|
92.5 vs. 92.8
|
1.00 (0.97, 1.02)
|
.788
|
|
70.9 vs. 74.4
|
0.95 (0.91, 1.00)
|
.065
|
|
Midwest vs. South
|
93.8 vs. 92.8
|
1.01 (1.00, 1.03)
|
.350
|
|
74.7 vs. 74.4
|
1.00 (0.96, 1.05)
|
.843
|
Metropolitan status
|
Metro vs. Non-metro
|
93.7 vs. 91.3
|
1.03 (1.00, 1.06)
|
.082
|
|
74.6 vs. 70.2
|
1.06 (1.00, 1.13)
|
.037
|
1 The second category or number listed is the reference level for the prevalence ratio.
2 Prevalence Ratio (PR)
3 Confidence Interval (CI)
Bold indicates significant comparisons (p<.05).