Compliance with infection control rules among adolescents in Oslo during the COVID-19 pandemic
Journal article, Peer reviewed
Published version
Date
2020-06-29Metadata
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Original version
Von Soest, Pedersen, Bakken, Sletten. Compliance with infection control rules among adolescents in Oslo during the COVID-19 pandemic. Tidsskrift for Den norske legeforening. 2020 https://doi.org/10.4045/tidsskr.20.0449Abstract
Background: Effective infection control is crucial for combatting the COVID-19 pandemic. We
investigated whether adolescents in Oslo reported compliance with the Norwegian
infection control rules during the pandemic and whether compliance with the rules was
associated with sociodemographic characteristics, trust in the authorities and acceptance of
the infection control rules.
Material and method: Students in lower and upper secondary schools completed an electronic questionnaire (N =
12 686, 37 % response rate) during a period with strict infection control measures in force.
We used self-reporting of compliance with the infection control rules, sociodemographic
characteristics, trust in the authorities and people in general, and acceptance of the
infection control rules. We used logistic regression analysis.
Results: The majority reported that they always or to a large extent complied with the rules for hand
washing (n = 9 915, 84 %), refrained from shaking hands/hugging (n = 8 730, 74 %) and
avoided large groups (n = 8 565, 73 %). Fewer reported to maintain physical distance (n = 5
859, 50 %). The level of trust in the government (n = 8 742, 80 %) and health authorities (n = 9
962, 92 %) was high. The highest compliance with the rules was among girls, adolescents
from immigrant backgrounds, those with a high level of trust in the authorities and people
in general, and those who showed acceptance of the infection control rules.
Interpretation: A large proportion reported to comply with the infection control rules. Adolescents from
immigrant backgrounds and those who were living in the outer eastern suburbs of Oslo
also more frequently reported to comply with the rules. Trust and acceptance of the rules
were also important factors.