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The determinants of sustained adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures among older Syrian refugees in Lebanon

Author

Listed:
  • Nisreen Salti
  • Stephen J McCall
  • Berthe Abi Zeid
  • Noura El Salibi
  • Marwan Alawieh
  • Zeinab Ramadan
  • Hala Ghattas
  • Sawsan Abdulrahim

Abstract

Introduction: Lebanon has battled the COVID-19 pandemic in the midst of an economic crisis. The evolution of the pandemic and a fragile health system have meant that public health policy has had to rely heavily on non-pharmaceutical interventions for disease control. However, changes in disease dynamics, an unraveling economy, and pandemic fatigue have meant that disease control policies need to be updated. Methods: Using recent and timely data on older (50 years and above) Syrian refugees in Lebanon, this paper uses multivariate linear probability models to explore the determinants of adherence to two non-pharmaceutical COVID-19 prevention measures (wearing a mask and avoiding social gatherings) among this high-risk subgroup in a vulnerable population. Among respondents who report adhering to these measures, the paper also investigates the determinants of sustained adherence over a period of 6 months. Results: The findings suggest that no individual-level characteristics were robustly associated with mask wearing. For avoiding social gatherings, education was inversely associated with adherence to this preventive measure. Avoiding social gatherings was also significantly lower for residents of informal tented settlements (ITSs). Among initial adherents, and for both preventive practices, ITS dwellers were also significantly less likely to maintain adherence. Conclusion: Identifying variables associated with adherence to non-pharmaceutical preventive practices, particularly for vulnerable groups, can help inform and refine interventions in the face of changing conditions. The material, physical, administrative and socio-economic constraints of life in an ITS suggest that avoiding social gatherings is hardly feasible. Yet despite the challenging conditions of ITSs, the indication to wear a mask is initially complied with, suggesting that tailoring policies to the limits and constrains of context can lead to successful outcomes even in very adverse settings.

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  • Nisreen Salti & Stephen J McCall & Berthe Abi Zeid & Noura El Salibi & Marwan Alawieh & Zeinab Ramadan & Hala Ghattas & Sawsan Abdulrahim, 2023. "The determinants of sustained adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures among older Syrian refugees in Lebanon," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 18(6), pages 1-21, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0268851
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0268851
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Issmat I. Kassem & Hadi Jaafar, 2020. "The potential impact of water quality on the spread and control of COVID-19 in Syrian refugee camps in Lebanon," Water International, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 45(5), pages 423-429, July.
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    4. Mark J Siedner & Guy Harling & Zahra Reynolds & Rebecca F Gilbert & Sebastien Haneuse & Atheendar S Venkataramani & Alexander C Tsai, 2020. "Social distancing to slow the US COVID-19 epidemic: Longitudinal pretest–posttest comparison group study," PLOS Medicine, Public Library of Science, vol. 17(8), pages 1-12, August.
    5. Emily Ying Yang Chan & Jean H. Kim & Kin-on Kwok & Zhe Huang & Kevin Kei Ching Hung & Eliza Lai Yi Wong & Eric Kam Pui Lee & Samuel Yeung Shan Wong, 2021. "Population Adherence to Infection Control Behaviors during Hong Kong’s First and Third COVID-19 Waves: A Serial Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-17, October.
    6. Bearth, Angela & Luchsinger, Larissa & Siegrist, Michael, 2021. "Reactions of older Swiss adults to the COVID-19 pandemic: A longitudinal survey on the acceptance of and adherence to public health measures," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 280(C).
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    1. Hein Htet & Aungkana Chuaychai & Tida Sottiyotin & Kyaw Ko Ko Htet & Hutcha Sriplung & Wit Wichaidit & Virasakdi Chongsuvivatwong, 2024. "Association between Thai language proficiency and adherence to COVID-19 protective behaviors (CPB) among Myanmar migrant workers in Southern Thailand," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 19(10), pages 1-16, October.

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