Perceptions of risk for COVID-19 among individuals with chronic diseases and stakeholders in Central Appalachia

• Published in: Humanities & social sciences communications 2021-12, Vol.8 (1), p.1-6, Article 225
• Main Authors: Ahuja, Manik, Mamudu, Hadii M., Weierbach, Florence M., Dowling-McClay, Karilynn, Stewart, David W., Awasthi, Manul, Paul, Timir K.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Chronic illnesses; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; Disease; Generalized linear models; Pandemics; Perceptions
• ISSN: 2662-9992; 2662-9992
• DOI: 10.1057/s41599-021-00906-7

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is rapidly evolving and is a serious public health threat worldwide. Timely and effective control of the pandemic is highly dependent on preventive approaches. Perception of risk is a major determinant of health behavior. The current study explores the association between actual risk and perceived risk for one’s self, family/friends and friends, and community. A questionnaire was administered to participants in Central Appalachia ( n  = 102). The actual risk was based on the number of chronic conditions of the following conditions: hypertension, heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Participants were also queried about their perception of risk for COVID-19. Generalized Linear Models were used to independently evaluate the likelihood of perceived risk for one’s: self, family/friends, and community, based on actual risk. Actual risk for COVID-19 was significantly associated with higher likelihood of higher perception of risk for one’s self ( b  = 0.24; p  = 0.04), but not with one’s family/friends ( b  = 0.05; p  = 0.68), or one’s community ( b  = 0.14; p  = 0.16). No health insurance was negatively associated with perception of risk for self ( b  = −0.59; p  = 0.04) and family/friends ( b  = −0.92; p