Abstract
Abstract
Background
Evidence highlights the disproportionate impact of measures that have been introduced to reduce the spread of coronavirus on individuals from Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) communities, and among those on a low income. An understanding of barriers to adherence in these populations is needed. In this qualitative study we examined patterns of adherence to mitigation measures and reasons underpinning these behaviors.
Methods
Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 participants from BAME and low-income White backgrounds. The topic guide was designed to explore how individuals are adhering to social distancing and self-isolation during the pandemic, and to explore the reasons underpinning this behavior.
Results
We identified three categories of adherence to lockdown measures 1) caution motivated super-adherence 2) risk-adapted partial-adherence and 3) necessity-driven partial-adherence. Decisions about adherence considered potential for exposure to the virus, ability to reduce risk through use of protective measures, and perceived importance of/need for the behavior.
Conclusion
This research highlights a need for a more nuanced understanding of adherence to lockdown measures. Provision of practical and financial support could reduce the number of people who have to engage in necessity-driven partial-adherence. More evidence is required on population level risks of people adopting risk-adapted partial-adherence.
Background
Evidence highlights the disproportionate impact of measures that have been introduced to reduce the spread of coronavirus on individuals from Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) communities, and among those on a low income. An understanding of barriers to adherence in these populations is needed. In this qualitative study we examined patterns of adherence to mitigation measures and reasons underpinning these behaviors.
Methods
Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 participants from BAME and low-income White backgrounds. The topic guide was designed to explore how individuals are adhering to social distancing and self-isolation during the pandemic, and to explore the reasons underpinning this behavior.
Results
We identified three categories of adherence to lockdown measures 1) caution motivated super-adherence 2) risk-adapted partial-adherence and 3) necessity-driven partial-adherence. Decisions about adherence considered potential for exposure to the virus, ability to reduce risk through use of protective measures, and perceived importance of/need for the behavior.
Conclusion
This research highlights a need for a more nuanced understanding of adherence to lockdown measures. Provision of practical and financial support could reduce the number of people who have to engage in necessity-driven partial-adherence. More evidence is required on population level risks of people adopting risk-adapted partial-adherence.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | fdab005 |
| Pages (from-to) | 508-516 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| Journal | Journal of Public Health (United Kingdom) |
| Volume | 43 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| Early online date | 9 Feb 2021 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 22 Sept 2021 |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© 2021 The Author(s) 2021. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Faculty of Public Health.
Structured keywords
- Covid19
Keywords
- adherence
- COVID-19
- infection control
- public involvment
- qualitative
- risk assessment