Adoption of Covid-19 preventive behaviors in the community: Salvador and Rio de Janeiro

To describe the prevalence of adoption of Covid-19 preventive behaviors and to evaluate associated factors among users of health units in Salvador and Rio de Janeiro.

Cross-sectional study conducted between July 2022 and July 2023. Adoption of preventive behaviors was assessed based on eight behaviors, grouped into the following outcomes: social distancing; respiratory etiquette; mask use; hand hygiene; sociodemographic, housing, structural characteristics, and individual perceptions. All analyses were stratified by study site. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed using Poisson regression with robust variance.

A total of 5,476 participants from Salvador and 1,940 from Rio de Janeiro were evaluated. The most prevalent preventive behaviors were respiratory etiquette (82.7 and 84.3%) and hand hygiene (84.9 and 79.1%), respectively. In Salvador, age remained associated with all behaviors assessed. In Rio de Janeiro, adoption of preventive behaviors increased among those who received a Covid-19 vaccine booster. In both cities, individuals aged 40-59 years, ≥ 60 years, and those not employed showed higher adherence to social distancing. Respiratory etiquette was more prevalent among women, individuals with complete high school education, and those who received a Covid-19 booster. Mask use and hand hygiene were associated with female sex, older age, and vaccine booster in both locations. Mask use was also more frequent among those vaccinated against influenza, while hand hygiene was associated with higher education.

These findings reinforce the importance of public policies that promote maintenance of preventive behaviors and awareness of epidemic prevention, particularly among men, younger individuals, those with lower education, and those who do not receive recommended vaccines or booster doses.