Daniel Lüdecke|Olaf von dem Knesebeck
Protective Behavior in Course of the COVID-19 Outbreak—Survey Results From Germany
Universität Hamburg|University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf|Universität Hamburg|University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf
objective covid19 outbreak means farreaching changes organization daily lives diseaserelated literacy factors like age gender education play major role shaping individual practices protective behavior paper investigates different types frequency practicing protective behaviors well sociodemographic factors associated behavioral change methods data stem crosssectional survey germany 3765 people contacted 3186 participated survey information behavior lower risk becoming infected covid19 assessed nine items answer options yesno item logistic regression models used estimate odds ratios using education sex age main predictors adjusting partnership status household composition results people lower educational level less likely avoid gatherings adapt work situation reduce personal contacts meetings increase hand hygiene female associated higher odds protective behavior outcomes exceptions wearing face masks adapting work situation associations respondents age individual behavior change inconsistent mostly weak conclusion disease specific knowledge essential order enable people judge information covid19 health education programs aiming improving covid19 knowledge helpful build appropriate practices reduce spread disease strategies needed guarantee easy access better dissemination highquality news factchecks socioeconomic characteristics taken account developing infection control measures