Characterization of COVID-19 Mitigation Measures Among Workers from May 2020-June 2021

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the relationship between early adherence to COVID-19 mitigation measures (before vaccine availability) and later vaccination status (after vaccines were widely available) in the Southwest Indiana workforce population. Design: Retrospective analysis of existing longitudinal cohort from two surveys: a COVID-19 prevalence survey in May 2020 and a follow up survey in June 2021. Setting: This study focused on secondary analysis of existing data from two surveys of the same Southwest Indiana workforce population, spanning manufacturing, finance, healthcare, and service industries. Participants: The analysis included participants who completed the 2020 survey (845), 2021 survey (492), or both (343). Main Outcome Measures: Relationship of adherence to early mitigation measures on vaccine adoption. We also examined differences in demographic characteristics including age, rurality (rural, rural/mixed, or urban county based on zip code of residence), education level, gender, and workplace environment. Results: Significant differences in age (p=0.02) and education (p=0.01), but not rurality, were observed between the vaccinated and unvaccinated groups. Furthermore, comparison of vaccinated and unvaccinated groups found significantly different responses to the degree of self-reported mitigation practices in early 2020. Conclusions: Consistent with previous studies, we found that demographic characteristics such as age and education may influence vaccination status. Furthermore, our data suggest an association between willingness to practice mitigation measures at the beginning of the pandemic and willingness to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.