COVID-19 preventive behaviours among people with anxiety and depressive symptoms: findings from Japan.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study was to examine COVID-19 preventive behaviours among individuals with mental health problems.

STUDY

DESIGN

This is a pooled cross-sectional study.

METHODS

Online survey data were analysed from 2000 Japanese adults collected in April and May 2020. Information was obtained on 13 COVID-19 preventive behaviours and anxiety and depressive symptoms using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale and Patient Health Questionnaire-9, respectively. Linear regression analysis was used to examine the associations.

RESULTS

In models adjusted for demographic and socio-economic factors, anxiety (coefficient: -0.77, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -1.30, -0.24) and depressive symptoms (coefficient: -0.82, 95% CI: -1.34, -0.30) were both associated with significantly lower engagement in COVID-19 preventive behaviours.

CONCLUSION

Our results highlight the importance of facilitating the performance of preventive behaviours in individuals with mental health problems to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in this population.