Lifestyle and sociodemographic predictors of Adherence to COVID-19 restrictions in fragile patients

Background: In order to reduce the spreading of the virus, restriction measures have been employed by the majority of governments during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to explore the predictors of adherence to COVID-19 related restrictions in a sample of fragile people. Moreover, behavioral changes during the pandemic period were investigated. Methods: A sample of 105 Italian older adults (M_age=69 years; 60% male) affected by hypertension from a more extensive longitudinal study were telephonically interviewed between May and August, 2020. Sociodemographic information was collected, together with the ones related to the perceived social support and lifestyles. Adherence behaviors were investigated through several questions (regarding, for example, whether participants left home during the lockdown or if they wore masks) and an overall score was assigned. A logistic regression analysis was performed to define which predictors influenced the adherence to restrictions promoted by Italian government. Findings: Only 33.3% of the sample abided by all the national restrictions and was therefore considered as adherent. During the pandemic period, considerable changes in lifestyles occurred within the sample. The logistic regression analysis explained 46.2% (Nagelkerke’s R^2) of the total variance and showed that females, unemployed/retired people and individuals who decreased the amount of physical activity, reported higher level of adherence to rules. Discussion: This study showed how COVID-19 outbreak influenced people’s lifestyles. Moreover, it shed light on which factors played a role in adherence behaviors, and therefore should be taken into account in communication strategies as well as intervention planning during the pandemic.