- Changes in cardiovascular-related health behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic
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Eunji Kim, Chan-Hee Jung, Dae Jung Kim, Seung-Hyun Ko, Hae-Young Lee, Kyung-Yul Lee, Dae Ryong Kang, Sung Kee Ryu, Won-Young Lee, Eun-Jung Rhee, Hyeon Chang Kim
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Cardiovasc Prev Pharmacother. 2023;5(1):15-23. Published online January 27, 2023
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.36011/cpp.2023.5.e2
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 Abstract
 PDF Supplementary Material
- Background
The COVID-19 pandemic has been the most pressing health challenge in recent years. Meanwhile, prevention for other diseases, such as cardiovascular disease (CVD) has been less prioritized during the pandemic. COVID-19, a novel infectious disease, both had a direct impact on public health and provoked changes in health-related behaviors, including those for CVD prevention. This study sought to examine changes in CVD-related health behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic and related sociodemographic factors.
Methods
We used data from the Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Awareness Survey conducted in Korea in June 2022. A total of 2,000 adults across Korea’s 17 provinces completed a structured questionnaire online or on a mobile device. Self-reported changes in CVD-related health behaviors were investigated. We used unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression models to explore the associations between negative changes and sociodemographic factors.
Results
In smoking, drinking, and healthcare service use, the proportion of those with positive changes surpassed the proportion of respondents who reported negative changes. In contrast, negative changes predominated for diet, exercise, and stress. Most individuals (52.6%) reported a deterioration of psychological distress. These negative changes were significantly associated with age, sex, marital status, and the presence of cardiometabolic disease.
Conclusions
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected CVD-related health behaviors. Based on these changes, CVD prevention should be encouraged with appropriate and prioritized strategies.
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