Characteristics of an Older Adult Population Without COVID-19 Infection in a Southeast Minnesota Community

Objective: To assess demographic characteristics, public health measures, and health beliefs or behaviors that differentiate participants with a history of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection from those with no history of COVID-19.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey-based study nested within a larger prospective cohort study of a community-based sample of 2511 adults was conducted to assess the incidence of viral infections. Community-based adults aged 50 years and older residing in southeast Minnesota who were assessed and self-reported history of COVID-19 infection during the early to mid phase of the COVID-19 pandemic were included; 1758 participants completed the survey between June 6, 2021, and February 7, 2022. Participants were asked to complete a questionnaire containing 42 items related to COVID-19. Odds ratios were calculated for history of COVID-19 to compare sociodemographic factors, current and future health behaviors, and health beliefs, including effective preventive measures and modes of transmission.

Results: We found that certain sociodemographic features and health behaviors (eg, adherence to public health measures, such as COVID-19 vaccination) are associated with protection against COVID-19 infection and that strong beliefs in effective COVID-19 protective measures and modes of transmission (eg, types of social distancing) differentiated those without from those with a history of COVID-19.

Conclusion: Depending on the communicability, virulence, and pathogenicity of future COVID-19 variants, local, state, and federal governments must continue to consider the risks and benefits of public health initiatives that take into consideration these protective factors.