Restricted health service utilization and subsequent positive self-care behavior during the early Covid-19 pandemic in China

Bibliographic Data

ID22079732
AuthorsZhichao Wang (0000-0001-6570-9289, Xi'an Jiaotong University), Zhongliang Zhou (0000-0002-6564-6609, Xi'an Jiaotong University, corresponding author), Guanping Liu (0000-0003-1842-1033, Xi'an Jiaotong University), Jiao Lu (0000-0003-0866-8104, Xi'an Jiaotong University), Xiaohui Zhai (0000-0003-1756-7081, Xi'an Jiaotong University), Xiaojing Fan (0000-0001-6989-7408, Xi'an Jiaotong University), Sha Lai (0000-0003-2346-4433, Xi'an Jiaotong University), Youfa Wang (0000-0002-6041-6011, Xi'an Jiaotong University)
Year2024
Volume12
Pages1398271-1398271
Publication date2024-07-09
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFrontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565
PublisherFrontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpubh.2024.1398271
PMID39045166
OpenAlexW4400474733
LanguageEN
References cited61

Background The reallocation of health resources, epidemic prevention and control measures during the COVID-19 pandemic triggered widespread restricted health service utilization, some residents and patients tried positive self-care behavior to maintain their health, yet the efficacy of this intervention remains unclear. Object Based on the reasoned action approach (RAA) theory, this study aimed to investigate the correlation between self-care behavior and restricted health service utilization among adults in China, trying to discover the vulnerable groups and external and intrinsic factors that affect self-care behavior among Chinese adults. Methods Data on demographics, socioeconomic, health status, and self-care behavior were collected in “The Early China COVID-19 Survey,” a cross-sectional anonymous online survey of the general population in China. Self-care behavior was measured by four indicators: weight control (WC), physical activity (PA), prevention behavior (PB), and online medical consultation (OMC). The multiple linear models and binary logistic regression were used to examine whether restricted health service utilization (RHSU) is associated with self-care behaviors; also, adjusted multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze subgroup heterogeneity. Results In total, 8,428 adult participants completed the survey, the mean OMC score was 1.51 (SD 1.34), the mean PB score was 18.17 (SD 3.44), and the proportion of participants who engaged in WC and PA was 42.30 and 62.57%, respectively. According to the multiple regression model, the RHSU was significantly positively correlated with all four indicators of self-care (WC: OR = 1.34, p < 0.001, PA: OR = 1.34, p < 0.05, MC: OR = 1.30, p < 0.001, PB: coef = 0.16, p < 0.05). We also observed some significant differences in the intensity of this relationship by subgroup analysis, precisely, OMC (high vs. moderate vs. low infection-risk level: OR = 1.48; 1.41; 1.19, p < 0.1), PA (male vs. female: OR = 1.27;1.06; p < 0.05, high vs. Moderate and low infection-risk level: OR = 1.51; 1.17; 1.02, p < 0.05), PB (Chronic disease groups vs. no: coef = 0.46; 0.1, p < 0.05). Conclusion Restricted health service utilization predicts more positive self-care behavior, and the intensity of partial correlation was significantly different in the subgroups of sex, actual infection risk level of the living area, and chronic diseases. These findings highlight the urgent demand for self-care behavior among Chinese adults during the pandemic and provide new insights for developing self-care and reducing the burden on the healthcare system in the long term

Cross-sectional study · Environmental health · Health care · Logistic regression · Population · Socioeconomic status · COVID-19 and Mental Health · COVID-19 Digital Contact Tracing · Demography · Healthcare Systems and Reforms · Medicine · Psychology · Gerontology