190 FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH ADHERENCE TO COVID-19 PUBLIC HEALTH GUIDELINES AMONG OLDER ADULTS IN IRELAND

Background

Older adults are at high risk from coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19). Even with the introduction of a widespread vaccination programme, adherence to public health guidelines continue to be of vital importance to reducing the spread of COVID-19. This study examines the factors associated with adherence to two public health guidelines, social distancing and mask wearing, among older adults (50 years and over) in Ireland.

Methods

Data from the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA) COVID-19 study and previous waves of TILDA was used. The COVID-19 study data was collected between July 2020 and November 2020. Logistic regression analysis was conducted separately to examine the relationship between the independent variables and social distancing and mask wearing respectively. Along with socio-demographic variables, the Health Belief Model (HBM) was used to identify variables for inclusion in the analysis.

Results

In total, 2,816 participants were included in this study. Females were more likely than males to adhere to social distancing and mask wearing guidelines. Those most concerned about COVID-19 were more likely to adhere to both behaviours. Education levels were associated with adherence to both behaviours but the direction of the relationship differed. Those who trusted the Health Service Executive as a news source were more likely to socially distance, while those with less understanding of government guidance and those who trusted in government news sources were less likely to socially distance. Participants who were working were less likely to socially distance than those who weren’t. While, participants who were over 70 and those who returned the survey after the introduction of mandatory mask wearing were more likely to wear a mask. Participants who lived outside of Dublin were less likely to wear a mask.

Conclusion

Factors associated with adherence to public health guidelines vary according to the guideline. Differences between groups need to be considered when implementing policy around public health guidelines.

133 THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DELAYED HEALTHCARE UTILISATION AND CHRONIC CONDITIONS AMONG OLDER ADULTS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN IRELAND

Background

The coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic impacted significantly on the lives of older adults in Ireland, including the cancellation or postponement of healthcare services. This study examined the relationship between healthcare delay and older adults (50 years and over) with chronic conditions in Ireland.

Methods

This study used data from the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA) COVID-19 study and previous waves of TILDA. The COVID-19 study data was collected between July 2020 and November 2020. Taking existing healthcare demand into account, logistic regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between healthcare delay and older adults with chronic conditions. Additional analysis, using multinomial logit regression, explored the reasons for healthcare delay, whether the delays were on the participants behalf or the health service provider.

Results

In total, 31.6% of participants reported healthcare delay. Older adults with two or more chronic conditions were more likely to experience healthcare delay than those with no chronic conditions. In the second analysis, older adults with two or more chronic conditions were more likely to have healthcare delayed by the provider and were also more likely to delay their own healthcare than those with no chronic conditions. Additionally, some other groups were more likely to experience healthcare delay such as: people aged 70 years and over, females, those with problematic alcohol consumption, those with third-level education, those who had visited the GP and those who reported polypharmacy. While older adults living with others and those living outside Dublin were less likely to experience healthcare delay.

Conclusion

The findings suggest that some groups of older adults may have been impacted more than others by healthcare delay during the pandemic. Policy and practice should focus on effective strategies to support the healthcare needs of these older adults going forward. Additionally, future research should examine the implications of healthcare delay on health outcomes.

Elements in human placentae in Jamaica

AIM

To investigate the relationships, if any, between elemental content of the placenta with age of mother birthweight and the Apgar scores of a neonate.

METHODS

Placental samples were collected, stored at -20 degrees C and then dried and analysed using neutron activation with the SLOWPOKE II reactor at the International Centre for Environmental and Nuclear Sciences (ICENS). A questionnaire was administered at the time of delivery to determine the level of fish consumption, numbers of dental amalgam fillings and use of cough syrups. Placental concentrations of bromine, calcium, chlorine, iron, mercury, potassium, rubidium, selenium, sodium and zinc were determined.

RESULTS

The placentae of 52 Jamaican mothers with a mean age 29 years (range 18-42 years) delivering singleton neonates with a mean birthweight of 3.1 kg (1.3-5.5 kg) at term were collected. With the exception of iron and bromine, all results for elemental determinations are very similar to those found elsewhere. Correlation was observed for Apgar 2 (5 minutes), calcium and zinc with birthweight, with p-values of 0.002, 0.007 and 0.07, respectively. Negative correlation was observed for the Apgar 2 and potassium (p = 0.056) and age of mother at birth and bromine (p = 0.02). The mercury concentration in the measured placentae (7.29 +/- 9.1 microg/kg w/w) was slightly lower than the mean concentration found in the literature (8 microg/kg w/w). Approximately 93% of the measured placentae in this study are below the derived placentae upper limit of 22 microg/kg. Of the 7% above the upper limit none exceeded the conservative estimated limit of 115 microg/kg at which neural developmental problems start.

CONCLUSION

The significant associations noted are of unknown clinical relevance and need further study.

Blood lead levels in Jamaican school children

Blood lead levels are reported for a total of 421 schoolchildren in 13 schools in rural and urban environments in Jamaica, including one highly contaminated community. In the rural areas blood lead levels ranged from 3 to 28.5 microg dl(-1), with a median of 9.2 microg dl(-1); the range and median in the urban schools were 4-34.7 and 16.6 microg dl(-1), respectively. Forty-two percent of the rural and 71% of the urban blood lead levels exceeded the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention intervention level of 10 microg dl(-1). Except in the contaminated area, the relationship between soil lead levels, which in Jamaica are in general typical of tropical lateritic soils, and blood lead levels is not clear-cut. Very high blood lead levels of 18 to > 60 microg dl(-1) with a median of 35 microg dl(-1) were observed among children in the contaminated area, the site of a former lead ore processing plant. These high blood lead levels were significantly reduced, by the implementation of relatively simple mitigation strategies which involved isolation of the lead, education, and a food supplementation programme, to levels similar to those observed in the urban schools. These values, however, remain higher than are desirable and unfortunately, all the sources of lead are not yet identified. The recent discontinuation of the use of leaded petrol is expected to result in significant reductions in exposure to lead.