# People with long-term conditions are more adherent to protective behaviours against infectious disease

## TL;DR

People with long-term health conditions are more likely to follow protective measures against infectious diseases compared to those without such conditions.

## Contribution

The study identifies threat perception as a key factor influencing adherence to protective behaviors among people with long-term conditions.

## Key findings

- People with no LTC showed the lowest adherence to protective behaviors and perceived threat.
- Females were more adherent than males, especially among those with disabilities.
- Threat appraisal partially explained the relationship between LTC status and adherence.

## Abstract

To investigate the relationship between long-term condition (LTC) status and adherence to protective behaviours against infectious disease (face covering, physical distancing, hand hygiene).

Representative cross-sectional observational survey in summer 2020 in Scotland.

Independent variable is LTC status (LTC, disability, no LTC); dependent variable is adherence to protective behaviours (face covering, hand hygiene, social distancing); moderator variables are age, gender and area deprivation; mediator variables are perceived threat and psychological distress. P values of p < 0.05 were taken as statistically significant.

3972 participants of whom 2696 (67.9 %) indicated not having a LTC. People with no LTC had lowest adherence to protective behaviours, perceived threat and psychological distress. Age did not moderate the relationship between LTC status and adherence; females were more adherent than males and this gender difference was greater in people with disability compared to people with no LTC; adherence was greater for people with a LTC in the more deprived areas compared to the least deprived areas whereas adherence in those with no LTC was not related to area deprivation; threat appraisal partially mediated the relationship between having a LTC or disability and adherence; psychological distress did not mediate the relationship between LTC status and adherence.

This study addresses a gap in evidence about protective behaviours of people with LTCs. Perceptions of threat may be useful intervention targets against winter flu and during future pandemics in order to protect people with LTCs who are one of the most vulnerable groups of the population.