Social distancing, use of face masks and hand washing among participants in the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging: the ELSI-COVID-19 initiative

The aim of the study was to examine the prevalence of social distancing, the use of face masks and hand washing when leaving home among Brazilian adults aged 50 or over. Data from 6,149 telephone interviews were used, conducted between May 26 and June 8, 2020 among participants in the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSI-Brazil). Social distancing was defined by not having left home in the last seven days. Only 32.8% of study participants did not leave home during the period considered, 36.3% left between one and two times, 15.2% between three and five times and 15.7% left every day. The main reasons for leaving home were to buy medicine or food (74.2%), to work (25.1%), to pay bills (24.5%), for health care (10.5%), to exercise (6.2%), and to meet family or friends (8.8%). Among those who left home, 97.3% always wore face masks and 97.3% always performed hand washing. Women left home less often than men. Men left home more often to work and exercise while women left home more often to seek healthcare. Men (odds ratio - OR = 1.84), those with higher education (OR = 1.48 and 1.95 for 5-8 and 9 years, respectively) and urban residents (OR = 1.54) left home more frequently to perform essential activities, regardless of age or other characteristics. Results show low adherence to social distancing, but high prevalence in the reported use of face masks and hand washing.

Depressive symptoms, emotional support and activities of daily living disability onset: 15-year follow-up of the Bambuí (Brazil) Cohort Study of Aging

Psychosocial factors appear to be associated with increased risk of disability in later life. However, there is a lack of evidence based on long-term longitudinal data from Western low-middle income countries. We investigated whether psychosocial factors at baseline predict new-onset disability in long term in a population-based cohort of older Brazilians adults. We used 15-year follow-up data from 1,014 participants aged 60 years and older of the Bambuí (Brazil) Cohort Study of Aging. Limitations on activities of daily living (ADL) were measured annually, comprising 9,252 measures. Psychosocial factors included depressive symptoms, social support and social network. Potential covariates included sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle, cognitive function and a physical health score based on 10 self-reported and objectively measured medical conditions. Statistical analysis was based on competitive-risk framework, having death as the competing risk event. Baseline depressive symptoms and emotional support from the closest person were both associated with future ADL disability, independently of potential covariates wide range. The findings showed a clear graded association, in that the risk gradually increased from low emotional support alone (sub-hazard ratio - SHR = 1.11; 95%CI: 1.01; 1.45) to depressive symptoms alone (SHR = 1.52; 95%CI: 1.13; 2.01) and then to both factors combined (SHR = 1.61; 95%CI: 1.18; 2.18). Marital status and social network size were not associated with incident disability. In a population of older Brazilian adults, lower emotional support and depressive symptoms have independent predictive value for subsequent disability in very long term.