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Detrimental Health Behaviour Changes among Females Living in Rural Areas during the COVID-19 Pandemic

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  • Kristen M. Glenister

    (Department of Rural Health, University of Melbourne, Docker Street, Wangaratta, VIC 3677, Australia)

  • Kaye Ervin

    (Department of Rural Health, University of Melbourne, Broadway Street, Cobram, VIC 3644, Australia)

  • Tegan Podubinski

    (Department of Rural Health, University of Melbourne, Docker Street, Wangaratta, VIC 3677, Australia)

Abstract

Women are predicted to be disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic due to increased carer responsibilities, loss of income, worry about the virus and a predominantly female healthcare workforce. Whilst there is emerging evidence that negative mental health impacts associated with the COVID-19 pandemic may be more pronounced for women than men, less attention has focussed on changes to health behaviours and health seeking experienced by women. Similarly, the impact of the pandemic in rural areas has not been investigated in detail. Our research questions were ‘ have females residing in rural areas experienced changes in alcohol consumption, unhealthy food consumption, smoking, exercise or health seeking during the COVID-19 pandemic? ’ and ‘ are there differences in health behaviour changes between rural females living with or without children? ’. Net increases (scale of 0–1) in consumption of unhealthy food (95% CI 0.05, 0.22) and alcohol (95% CI 0.12, 0.29) were observed. Net decreases (scale of −1 to 0) in visits to the doctor (95% CI −0.23, −0.35) and other health professionals (95% CI −0.40, −0.54) were observed. Compared with females living without children, females who lived with children were significantly associated with increased alcohol consumption (OR 2.4 (95% CI 1.4, 4.1), decreased visits to the doctor (OR 1.9 (95% CI 1.1, 3.2) and decreased visits to other health professionals (OR 1.9 (95% CI 1.1, 3.3). Results suggest that public health approaches may be required to support females residing in rural areas to optimise their health behaviours during the pandemic, particularly for those living with children. Policies must be gender responsive to counteract worsening health and social inequities both during and after the pandemic.

Suggested Citation

  • Kristen M. Glenister & Kaye Ervin & Tegan Podubinski, 2021. "Detrimental Health Behaviour Changes among Females Living in Rural Areas during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(2), pages 1-15, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:2:p:722-:d:481181
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    1. Robert Stanton & Quyen G. To & Saman Khalesi & Susan L. Williams & Stephanie J. Alley & Tanya L. Thwaite & Andrew S. Fenning & Corneel Vandelanotte, 2020. "Depression, Anxiety and Stress during COVID-19: Associations with Changes in Physical Activity, Sleep, Tobacco and Alcohol Use in Australian Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-13, June.
    2. Cristina Mazza & Eleonora Ricci & Silvia Biondi & Marco Colasanti & Stefano Ferracuti & Christian Napoli & Paolo Roma, 2020. "A Nationwide Survey of Psychological Distress among Italian People during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Immediate Psychological Responses and Associated Factors," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(9), pages 1-14, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Wenfang Zhong & Rong Yin & Yan Pan & Xiangliang Zhang & Andre M. N. Renzaho & Li Ling & Xingge Li & Wen Chen, 2022. "Long-Term Impact of COVID-19 on Hospital Visits of Rural Residents in Guangdong, China: A Controlled Interrupted Time Series Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-17, October.
    2. Sara, Raisa, 2023. "The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on alcohol and tobacco consumption: Evidence from Peru," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 325(C).

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