[Factors associated with restarting or continuing community activities for older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic].

Abstract

Objective　This study examined the factors associated with the status of group activities provided to older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic by community groups aiming to improve the health and social interactions of older adults. Methods　A mail survey was conducted with 372 leaders of neighborhood associations and Senior Citizen Clubs in November 2020 in Ward A, Tokyo. The questionnaire asked leaders about the status of group activities provided by neighborhood associations and the aforementioned clubs for older adults. Leaders responded regarding their group's activity status from April to October 2020 based on three patterns: 1) suspending the activity, 2) carrying out the activity by modifying the content, and 3) performing the activity without modifying the content. Data from 206 groups were analyzed. A latent class analysis (LCA) was performed using activity status to classify each group's activity patterns, and a multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted using activity patterns as dependent variables. Variations in activity content, activity frequency, the average number of participants and volunteers, having participants over 80 years old in the group, and the group's social capital were assigned as covariates. We also included the communication frequency between the volunteers and participants before COVID-19 and during the first state of emergency as covariates. Missing values were supplemented using a multiple imputation model. Results　Four patterns were identified from the LCA results: "suspended the activity" from April to October, "restarted the activity with modified content" from a specific month, "continued the activity with modified content" from April to October, and "continued/restarted the activity without modified content" from April to October. The multiple logistic regression, with "suspended the activity" as a reference group, demonstrated that a communication frequency of more than once a week was associated with "continued the activity with modified content" (odds ratio: = 5.25, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.19-23.21), and "continued/restarted the activity without modified content" (OR = 4.37, 95%CI = 1.07-17.82). In addition, carrying out the activity more than twice a month (OR = 3.12, 95%CI = 1.10-8.87) and having 6-10 volunteers (OR = 0.32, 95%CI = 0.11-0.89) were associated with "restarted the activity with modified content."Conclusion　This study emphasizes the importance of communicating with participants more than once a week and having fewer volunteers to restart or continue group activities during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study findings can guide municipal governments and public health professionals in assisting community groups during emergencies, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.