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. 2020 Nov 6:28:e3383.
doi: 10.1590/1518-8345.4675.3383. eCollection 2020.

Elderly individuals living by themselves: knowledge and measures to prevent the novel coronavirus

[Article in English, Portuguese, Spanish]
Darlene Mara Dos Santos Tavares  1   2 , Nayara Gomes Nunes Oliveira  3 , Gianna Fiori Marchiori  3 , Mariana Silva Freitas Guimarães  3   4 , Lenniara Pereira Mendes Santana  3   4
Affiliations

Elderly individuals living by themselves: knowledge and measures to prevent the novel coronavirus

[Article in English, Portuguese, Spanish]
Darlene Mara Dos Santos Tavares et al. Rev Lat Am Enfermagem. .

Abstract
in English, Portuguese, Spanish

Objective: to describe the occurrence of COVID-19 and the health services used by elderly individuals living by themselves; identify the knowledge held by elderly individuals regarding the transmission, signs and symptoms of COVID-19, as well as factors associated with poor knowledge of preventive measures according to sociodemographic and clinical variables.

Method: cross-sectional survey conducted by telephone or mobile with 123 elderly individuals living by themselves in the Health Macro-Region of Triângulo Sul in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Descriptive analysis was performed along with bivariate and multiple linear regression (p<0.05).

Results: most elderly individuals did not present COVID-19 signs and symptoms (97.5%), were aware of how it is transmitted (86.6%), and of its signs and symptoms (90.8%). The elderly individuals were familiar with four preventive measures on average. After social distancing began, 85.7% of them left home and implemented three preventive measures on average, the most frequent of which was the use of face masks (99.0%). Being a man (p=0.001), 80 years old or older (p=0.045), and having fewer years of schooling (p=0.010) were associated with having less knowledge regarding the COVID-19 preventive measures.

Conclusion: the elderly individuals were knowledgeable on COVID-19, but did not implement all the preventive measures. Male elderly individuals living by themselves with a low educational level are more vulnerable to COVID-19.

Objetivo:: descrever a ocorrência da COVID-19 e o local de atendimento entre idosos que moram sozinhos; identificar o conhecimento dos idosos sobre a transmissão, sinais e sintomas e medidas preventivas da COVID-19 e verificar os fatores associados ao menor conhecimento das medidas preventivas segundo variáveis sociodemográficas e clínicas.

Método:: inquérito telefônico e transversal desenvolvido com 123 idosos que moram sozinhos na Macrorregião de Saúde do Triângulo Sul no Estado de Minas Gerais. Realizaram-se análises: descritiva, bivariada e regressão linear múltipla (p<0,05).

Resultados:: a maioria dos idosos não apresentou sinais e sintomas da COVID-19 (97,5%), conhecia sua forma de transmissão (86,6%) e os sinais e sintomas (90,8%). Os idosos conheciam, em média, quatro medidas preventivas da COVID-19. Após o início do distanciamento social, 85,7% saíram do domicílio e realizaram, em média, três medidas preventivas, sendo mais frequente o uso de máscaras (99,0%). O menor conhecimento sobre as medidas preventivas da COVID-19 associou-se ao sexo masculino (p=0,001), faixa etária de 80 anos ou mais (p=0,045) e menor escolaridade (p=0,010).

Conclusão:: os idosos possuíam conhecimento sobre a COVID-19, porém, não realizavam todas as medidas preventivas. Além disso, idosos que moram sozinhos do sexo masculino, longevos e com baixa escolaridade estão mais vulneráveis à COVID-19.

Objetivo:: describir la incidencia de COVID-19 y el local de atención entre los adultos mayores que viven solos; identificar el conocimiento de los adultos mayores sobre la trasmisión, señales y síntomas y medidas preventivas de COVID-19 y comprobar los factores asociados al menor conocimiento de las medidas preventivas según variables sociodemográficas y clínicas.

Método:: encuesta telefónica y trasversal, desarrollada con 123 adultos mayores que viven solos en la Macroregión Sanitaria del Triângulo Sul en el estado de Minas Gerais. Fueron aplicados análisis: descriptivo, bivariado y regresión lineal múltiple (p<0,05).

Resultados:: la mayoría de los adultos mayores no presentaron señales y síntomas de COVID-19 (97,5%), conocía su forma de trasmisión (86,6%) y los señales y síntomas (90,8%). Los adultos mayores conocían en promedio cuatro medidas preventivas de COVID-19. Tras el inicio del distanciamiento social, el 85.7% salió del hogar y practicó en promedio tres medidas de prevención, siendo más frecuente el uso de mascarillas (99,0%). El menor conocimiento sobre las medidas preventivas de COVID-19 se asoció con el sexo masculino (p=0,001), el rango de edad de 80 años o más (p=0,045) y menor escolaridad (p=0,010).

Conclusión:: los adultos mayores tenían conocimiento sobre la COVID-19, pero no aplicaban todas las medidas preventivas. Además, los adultos mayores que viven solos, mayores y con baja escolaridad son más vulnerables a la COVID-19.

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