Pinto, Melissa D

Health problems associated with post-acute COVID-19, also known as “Long COVID,” range from mild to severe. The best defense against this potentially serious condition is to prevent COVID-19 infection and reinfection. The same preventive measures for COVID-19 may be used to help prevent the spread of Long COVID. This study used the Health Belief Model (HBM) to examine whether and how public understanding and awareness of Long COVID and its prevention shape the adoption of COVID-19 preventive behaviors. N = 605 English-speaking U.S.-based adults were recruited via Qualtrics. Predictors of intention to carry out COVID-19 preventive behaviors were investigated. Outcomes included behaviors relevant to preventing both acute and Long COVID. Across all models, except the one examining intent to get a vaccine booster, Black respondents were more likely than White respondents to express intent to carry out COVID-19 preventive behaviors. In addition, HBM constructs added significantly to the regression models. Susceptibility to Long COVID was significant for all behavioral outcomes (all p s < .05), self-efficacy for wearing a mask ( p < .001), and self-efficacy for testing for COVID-19 after exposure and before a social event ( p s < .001). In addition, perceived benefits for Long COVID prevention predicted intent of mask-wearing ( p < .001), testing before a social event ( p = .002), and getting a vaccine booster ( p = .001). Perceived severity of Long COVID did not significantly predict adherence to preventive behaviors. U.S. adults are more likely to express intent to carry out COVID-19 preventive behaviors, such as masking and receiving booster vaccines, when they report feeling greater susceptibility to Long COVID as well as greater self-efficacy for engaging in these preventive behaviors. Public health messaging about Long COVID with incorporation of HBM constructs may be an effective means of increasing continued recommended COVID-19 preventive behaviors, which also hold co-benefits for prevention of infections, such as influenza and measles, as well as emerging viruses such as avian flu.

Post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC) is defined as persistent symptoms after apparent recovery from acute COVID-19 infection, also known as COVID-19 long-haul. We performed a retrospective review of electronic health records (EHR) from the University of California COvid Research Data Set (UC CORDS), a de-identified EHR of PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2-positive patients in California. The purposes were to (1) describe the prevalence of PASC, (2) describe COVID-19 symptoms and symptom clusters, and (3) identify risk factors for PASC. Data were subjected to non-negative matrix factorization to identify symptom clusters, and a predictive model of PASC was developed. PASC prevalence was 11% (277/2,153), and of these patients, 66% (183/277) were considered asymptomatic at days 0–30. Five PASC symptom clusters emerged and specific symptoms at days 0–30 were associated with PASC. Women were more likely than men to develop PASC, with all age groups and ethnicities represented. PASC is a public health priority.