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. 2022 Aug 1:10:894958.
doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.894958. eCollection 2022.

Improving the adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures in the community: Evidence brief for policy

Izabela Fulone  1 , Jorge Otavio Maia Barreto  2 , Silvio Barberato-Filho  1 , Cristiane de Cássia Bergamaschi  1 , Luciane Cruz Lopes  1
Affiliations

Improving the adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures in the community: Evidence brief for policy

Izabela Fulone et al. Front Public Health. .

Abstract

Objectives: To identify evidence-based strategies to improve adherence to the preventive measures against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) at the community level.

Method: This is an evidence brief for policy, combining research evidence specific to contextual knowledge from stakeholders. A systematic search was performed in 18 electronic databases, gray literature, and a handle search, including only secondary and tertiary studies that focused on the adherence of the general population to COVID-19 preventive measures in the community. Two reviewers, independently, performed the study selection, data extraction, and assessment of the quality of the studies. Relevant evidence has been synthesized to draft evidence-based strategies to improve adherence. These strategies were circulated for external endorsement by stakeholders and final refinement. Endorsement rates >80%, 60-80% and <60% were considered high, moderate, and low respectively.

Results: Eleven studies, with varying methodological qualities were included: high (n = 3), moderate (n = 3), low (n = 1), and critically low (n = 4). Three evidence based strategies were identified: i. Risk communication; ii. Health education to the general public, and iii. Financial support and access to essential supplies and services. The rates of endorsement were: 83% for risk communication, 83% for health education, and 92% for financial support and access to essential supplies and services. The evidence showed that an increase in knowledge, transparent communication, and public awareness about the risks of COVID-19 and the benefits of adopting preventive measures results in changes in people's attitudes and behavior, which can increase adherence. In addition, the guarantee of support and assistance provides conditions for people to adopt and sustain such measures.

Conclusions: These strategies can guide future actions and the formulation of public policies to improve adherence to preventive measures in the community during the current COVID-19 pandemic and other epidemics.

Keywords: COVID-19; evidence-informed policy; health policy; knowledge translation; pandemic.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Phases to produce the evidence synthesis and its external endorsement.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Selection of studies.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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