Objective: to describe the occurrence of COVID-19 and the health services used by elderly individuals living by themselves; identify the knowledge held by elderly individuals regarding the transmission, signs and symptoms of COVID-19, as well as factors associated with poor knowledge of preventive measures according to sociodemographic and clinical variables. Method: cross-sectional survey conducted by telephone or mobile with 123 elderly individuals living by themselves in the Health Macro-Region of Triângulo Sul in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Descriptive analysis was performed along with bivariate and multiple linear regression ( p <0.05). Results: most elderly individuals did not present COVID-19 signs and symptoms (97.5%), were aware of how it is transmitted (86.6%), and of its signs and symptoms (90.8%). The elderly individuals were familiar with four preventive measures on average. After social distancing began, 85.7% of them left home and implemented three preventive measures on average, the most frequent of which was the use of face masks (99.0%). Being a man ( p =0.001), 80 years old or older ( p =0.045), and having fewer years of schooling ( p =0.010) were associated with having less knowledge regarding the COVID-19 preventive measures. Conclusion: the elderly individuals were knowledgeable on COVID-19, but did not implement all the preventive measures. Male elderly individuals living by themselves with a low educational level are more vulnerable to COVID-19.
【저자키워드】 aging, Coronavirus infections, Severe acute respiratory syndrome, infecciones por coronavirus, Infecções por coronavírus, Anciano, Aged, Envejecimiento, Síndrome Respiratória Aguda Grave, Idoso, Envelhecimento, síndrome respiratorio agudo grave, Health of the Elderly, Geriatric Nursing, Saúde do Idoso, Enfermagem Geriátrica, Salud del Anciano, Enfermería Geriátrica, 【초록키워드】 COVID-19, Brazil, social distancing, knowledge, Transmission, Symptom, preventive measures, Face mask, Analysis, cross-sectional survey, Multiple linear regression, preventive measure, Health Service, Older, Factor, clinical variables, individual, average, symptoms of COVID-19, Sociodemographic, being, identify, transmitted, conducted, was performed, less, occurrence of COVID-19, 【제목키워드】 knowledge, elderly, Novel coronavirus, individual, measure, Prevent,