Effect of Social Determinants on Knowledge and Barriers to the use of Preventive Measures against SARS-CoV-2 Infection

Aims: To analyze the effect of social determinants on knowledge and barriers to using protective measures against SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Study Design: Analytical cross-sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: Sample: Institute of Public Health Staff from Guanajuato State and their relatives, between June 2009 and July 2010.

Methodology: As social determinants, data on age, sex, marital status, and academic degree were obtained. Knowledge and barriers were quantified by a purposely designed questionnaire, with construct validity and reliability of 0.70 (95% CI 0.61 - 0.78) (Cohen's Kappa). The survey was sent by e-mail to the Institute workers. They were allowed to invite their relatives aged 18 or over.

Results: 1,414 questionnaires were obtained with a participation rate of 9.49%. The age ranged from 18 to 75 years, with a mean of 39.51 ± 10.02 years. Women predominated with 69.59%, persons with married status with 51.49%, and academic degrees with 55.80%. All participants showed adequate knowledge. There were internal and external barriers. The only one that showed a relationship and effect with social determinants was that the protective measures were expensive (with gender, X2= 10.35 df 1 P=.001), OR=0.65 (95% CI 0.50 – 0.85); for the rest of the social determinants (age, marital status, and academic degree) they did not show any relationship or effect.

Conclusion: All participants had adequate knowledge and a few barriers to using the preventive measures against SARS-CoV-2.