Healthcare Avoidance before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic among Australian Youth: A Longitudinal Study

Article

Islam, Md Irteja, Freeman, Joseph, Chadwick, Verity and Martiniuk, Alexandra. 2022. "Healthcare Avoidance before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic among Australian Youth: A Longitudinal Study." Healthcare. 10 (7). https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10071261
Article Title

Healthcare Avoidance before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic among Australian Youth: A Longitudinal Study

ERA Journal ID212680
Article CategoryArticle
AuthorsIslam, Md Irteja, Freeman, Joseph, Chadwick, Verity and Martiniuk, Alexandra
Journal TitleHealthcare
Journal Citation10 (7)
Article Number1261
Number of Pages15
Year2022
PublisherMDPI AG
Place of PublicationSwitzerland
ISSN2227-9032
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10071261
Web Address (URL)https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/10/7/1261
Abstract

Background: Access to healthcare for young people is essential to ensure they can build a foundation for a healthy life. However, during the COVID‐19 pandemic, many people avoided seeking healthcare, adversely affecting population health. We investigated the factors associated with the avoidance of healthcare for Australian young people when they reported that they needed healthcare. We were able to compare healthcare avoidance during the COVID‐19 pandemic with healthcare avoidance prior to COVID‐19.

Methods: We used two recent data collection waves from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC)—Wave 9C1 during the COVID‐19 pandemic in 2020, and Wave 8 data which were collected in 2018. The primary outcome of this study revealed the avoidance of healthcare among those who perceived the need for care. Bivariate analyses and multiple logistic regression models were employed to identify the factors associated with the avoidance of healthcare during the COVID‐19 and pre‐COVID‐19 periods.

Results: In the sample of 1110 young people, 39.6% avoided healthcare during the first year of the COVID‐19 pandemic even though they perceived that they had a health problem that required healthcare. This healthcare avoidance was similar to the healthcare avoidance in the pre‐COVID‐19 pandemic period (41.4%). The factors most strongly associated with healthcare avoidance during the COVID‐19 pandemic were female gender, an ongoing medical condition, and moderately high psychological distress. In comparison, prior to the pandemic, the factor associated with healthcare avoidance was only psychological distress. The most common reason for not seeking healthcare was thinking that the problem would spontaneously resolve itself (55.9% during COVID‐19 vs. 35.7% pre‐COVID‐19 pandemic).

Conclusions: A large proportion of youths avoided healthcare when they felt they needed to seek care, both during and before the COVID‐19 pandemic.

Keywordsadolescents; Australia; coronavirus; COVID‐19 pandemic; healthcare avoidance; perceived need; service access; young adult; youth
Contains Sensitive ContentDoes not contain sensitive content
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020420699. Public health not elsewhere classified
FunderNational Health and Medical Research Council
Byline AffiliationsLibrary Services
University of Sydney
Centre for Health Research
Department of Health, New South Wales
George Institute for Global Health, Australia
University of Toronto, Canada
Permalink -

https://research.usq.edu.au/item/yyx2w/healthcare-avoidance-before-and-during-the-covid-19-pandemic-among-australian-youth-a-longitudinal-study

Log in to edit

Download files

Published Version
healthcare-10-01261-v2.pdf
License: CC BY 4.0
File access level: Anyone

  • 65
    total views
  • 26
    total downloads
  • 7
    views this month
  • 1
    downloads this month

Export as

Related outputs

Factors associated with satisfaction of the australian rural resident medical officer cadetship program: results from a cross-sectional study
Kensit, Phillipa, Islam, Md Irteja, Ramsden, Robyn, Geddes, Louise, Guisard, Yann, Russell, Chris and Martiniuk, Alexandra. 2024. "Factors associated with satisfaction of the australian rural resident medical officer cadetship program: results from a cross-sectional study." BMC Medical Education. 24 (1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-024-05737-z
A longitudinal study on impact of emergency cash transfer payments during the COVID pandemic on coping among Australian young adults
Islam, Md Irteja, Lyne, Elizabeth, Freeman, Joseph and Martiniuk, Alexandra. 2024. "A longitudinal study on impact of emergency cash transfer payments during the COVID pandemic on coping among Australian young adults." Scientific Reports. 14 (1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-68027-0
Prevalence and associated factors of last dental visit and teeth cleaning frequency in Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal: Findings from nationally representative surveys
GuptaI, Rajat Das, Haider, Shams Shabab, Jahan, Shah Saif, Islam, Md. Irteja, Mazumder, Ananna, Zafar, Muhammad Sohail, Siddika, Nazeeba and Apu, Ehsanul Hoque. 2024. " Prevalence and associated factors of last dental visit and teeth cleaning frequency in Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal: Findings from nationally representative surveys." PLoS Global Public Health. 4 (7). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgph.0003511
Role of internet use, mobile phone, media exposure and domestic migration on reproductive health service use in Bangladeshi married adolescents and young women
Pickard, Anita, Islam, Md Irteja, Ahmed, Md Sabbir and Martiniuk, Alexandra. 2024. "Role of internet use, mobile phone, media exposure and domestic migration on reproductive health service use in Bangladeshi married adolescents and young women." PLoS Global Public Health. 4 (3). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgph.0002518
Mental health in children conceived by Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ARTs): Insights from a longitudinal study of Australian children
Islam, Md. Irteja, Chaffey, Oscar A., Chadwick, Verity and Martiniuk, Alexandra. 2024. "Mental health in children conceived by Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ARTs): Insights from a longitudinal study of Australian children." PLoS One. 19 (6). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0304213
Prevalence, inequality and associated factors of overweight/obesity among Bangladeshi adolescents aged 15-19 years
Ahmed, Md Sabbir, Khan, Safayet, Islam, Mansura, Islam, Md Irteja, Hossain, Md Musharraf, Khan, Bayezid and Yunus, Fakir Md. 2024. "Prevalence, inequality and associated factors of overweight/obesity among Bangladeshi adolescents aged 15-19 years." International Health. 16 (6), pp. 670-677. https://doi.org/10.1093/inthealth/ihae012
Identifying social determinants and measuring socioeconomic inequalities in the use of four different mental health services by Australian adolescents aged 13-17 years: Results from a nationwide study
Islam, Md Irteja, Salam, Shumona Sharmin, Kabir, Enamul and Khanam, Rasheda. 2023. "Identifying social determinants and measuring socioeconomic inequalities in the use of four different mental health services by Australian adolescents aged 13-17 years: Results from a nationwide study." Healthcare. 11 (18). https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11182537
Job Satisfaction of Health Practitioners Providing Outreach Health Services during COVID-19 in Rural New South Wales (NSW) and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), Australia
Islam, Md Irteja, Bagnulo, Sharif, Wang, Yiwen, Ramsden, Robyn, Wrightson, Trent, Masset, Amanda, Colbran, Richard, Edwards, Mike and Martiniuk, Alexandra. 2023. "Job Satisfaction of Health Practitioners Providing Outreach Health Services during COVID-19 in Rural New South Wales (NSW) and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), Australia." Healthcare. 11 (1). https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11010003
Correction to: Working conditions and occupational stress among nurses in Bangladesh: a cross-sectional pilot study
Islam, Md Irteja, Alam, Kh Md Watin, Keramat, Syed Afroz, Murshid, Munzur E., Haque, Rezwanul, Kabir, Enamul, Khanam, Rasheda and Khan, Manjurul Haque. 2023. "Correction to: Working conditions and occupational stress among nurses in Bangladesh: a cross-sectional pilot study ." Journal of Public Health: Zeitschrift fuer Gesundheitswissenschaften. 31 (1), pp. 161-161. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-021-01482-5
The gap between perceived mental health needs and actual service utilization in Australian adolescents
Islam, Md Irteja, Yunus, Fakir Md, Isha, Samia Naz, Kabir, Enamul, Khanam, Rasheda and Martiniuk, Alexandra. 2022. "The gap between perceived mental health needs and actual service utilization in Australian adolescents." Scientific Reports. 12, pp. 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-09352-0
Mental health services use among adolescent bullying victims in Australia: results from a nationwide survey
Islam, Md Irteja, Yunus, Fakir Md., Salam, Shumona Sharmin, Kabir, Enamul and Khanam, Rasheda. 2022. "Mental health services use among adolescent bullying victims in Australia: results from a nationwide survey." Children and Youth Services Review. 132, pp. 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2021.106312
Depression and anxiety have a larger impact on bullied girls than on boys to experience self-harm and suicidality: a mediation analysis
Islam, Md Irteja, Khanam, Rasheda and Kabir, Enamul. 2022. "Depression and anxiety have a larger impact on bullied girls than on boys to experience self-harm and suicidality: a mediation analysis." Journal of Affective Disorders. 297, pp. 250-258. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2021.10.061
Working conditions and occupational stress among nurses in Bangladesh: a cross-sectional pilot study
Islam, Md Irteja, Alam, Kh Md Watin, Keramat, Syed Afroz, Murshid, Munzur E., Haque, Rezwanul, Kabir, Enamul, Khanam, Rasheda and Khan, Manjurul Haque. 2022. "Working conditions and occupational stress among nurses in Bangladesh: a cross-sectional pilot study." Journal of Public Health: Zeitschrift fuer Gesundheitswissenschaften. 30 (9), pp. 2211-2219. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-020-01415-8
Bullied Because of Their Teeth: Evidence from a Longitudinal Study on the Impact of Oral Health on Bullying Victimization among Australian Indigenous Children
Islam, Md Irteja, Chadwick, Verity, Esgin, Tuguy and Martiniuk, Alexandra. "Bullied Because of Their Teeth: Evidence from a Longitudinal Study on the Impact of Oral Health on Bullying Victimization among Australian Indigenous Children ." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 19 (9). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19094995
Identifying potential factors associated with PCR testing for COVID-19 among Australian young people: cross-sectional findings from a longitudinal study
Islam, Md Irteja, Chadwick, Verity and Martiniuk, Alexandra. 2022. "Identifying potential factors associated with PCR testing for COVID-19 among Australian young people: cross-sectional findings from a longitudinal study." BMC Public Health. 22 (1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-14892-1
Experience of Bangladeshi Dental Students towards Online Learning during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Web-Based Cross-Sectional Study
Islam, Md Irteja, Jahan, Shah Saif, Chowdhury, Mohammad Tawfique Hossain, Isha, Samia Naz, Saha, Arup Kumar, Nath, Sujan Kanti, Jahan, Mohammed Shahed, Kabir, Md. Humayun, Apu, Ehsanul Hoque, Kabir, Russell and Siddika, Nazeeba. 2022. "Experience of Bangladeshi Dental Students towards Online Learning during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Web-Based Cross-Sectional Study." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 19 (13). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19137786
Does Long-Term Enrollment in Day-Care Maintain or Increase Early Developmental Gains—Findings from an Intervention Study in Rural Bangladesh
Agrawal, Priyanka, Nair, Divya, Salam, Shumona Sharmin, Islam, Md Irteja, Hamadani, Jena Derakhshani and Alonge, Olakunle. 2022. "Does Long-Term Enrollment in Day-Care Maintain or Increase Early Developmental Gains—Findings from an Intervention Study in Rural Bangladesh." Children. 9 (7). https://doi.org/10.3390/children9070929
Protective Factors against Self-Harm and Suicidality among Australian Indigenous Adolescents: A Strengths-Based Analysis of the Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children
Islam, Md Irteja, Sharwood, Lisa, Chadwick, Verity, Esgin, Tuguy and Martiniuk, Alexandra. 2022. "Protective Factors against Self-Harm and Suicidality among Australian Indigenous Adolescents: A Strengths-Based Analysis of the Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 19 (15). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19159131
Patient-Reported Experiences and Satisfaction with Rural Outreach Clinics in New South Wales, Australia: A Cross-Sectional Study
Islam, Md Irteja, O'Neill, Claire, Kolur, Hibah, Bagnulo, Sharif, Colbran, Richard and Martiniuk, Alexandra. 2022. "Patient-Reported Experiences and Satisfaction with Rural Outreach Clinics in New South Wales, Australia: A Cross-Sectional Study." Healthcare. 10 (8). https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10081391
Oral Healthcare during Pregnancy: Its Importance and Challenges in Lower-Middle-Income Countries (LMICs)
Jahan, Shah Saif, Apu, Ehsanul Hoque, Sultana, Zeeba Zahra, Islam, Md Irteja and Siddika, Nazeeba. 2022. "Oral Healthcare during Pregnancy: Its Importance and Challenges in Lower-Middle-Income Countries (LMICs)." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 19 (17). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191710681
Estimating income-related and area-based inequalities in mental health among nationally representative adolescents in Australia: the concentration index approach
Islam, Md Irteja, Ormsby, Gail M., Kabir, Enamul and Khanam, Rasheda. 2021. "Estimating income-related and area-based inequalities in mental health among nationally representative adolescents in Australia: the concentration index approach." PLoS One. 16 (9), pp. 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0257573
Obesity, disability and self-perceived health outcomes in Australian adults: a longitudinal analysis using 14 annual waves of the HILDA cohort
Keramat, Syed Afroz, Alam, Khorshed, Ahinkorah, Bright Opoku, Islam, Md Sariful, Islam, Md Irteja, Hossain, Md Zobayer, Ahmed, Sazia, Gow, Jeff and Biddle, Stuart J. H.. 2021. "Obesity, disability and self-perceived health outcomes in Australian adults: a longitudinal analysis using 14 annual waves of the HILDA cohort." ClinicoEconomics and Outcomes Research. 13, pp. 777-788. https://doi.org/10.2147/CEOR.S318094
Evaluating Risk and Protective Factors for Suicidality and Self-Harm in Australian Adolescents With Traditional Bullying and Cyberbullying Victimizations
Islam, Md Irteja, Yunus, Fakir Md, Kabir, Enamul and Khanam, Rasheda. 2022. "Evaluating Risk and Protective Factors for Suicidality and Self-Harm in Australian Adolescents With Traditional Bullying and Cyberbullying Victimizations." American Journal of Health Promotion. 36 (1), pp. 73-83. https://doi.org/10.1177/08901171211034105
Understanding the determinants and socioeconomic inequality of behavioural and mental health problems, and services utilization among Australian adolescents
Islam, Md Irteja. 2021. Understanding the determinants and socioeconomic inequality of behavioural and mental health problems, and services utilization among Australian adolescents. PhD Thesis Doctor of Philosophy. University of Southern Queensland. https://doi.org/10.26192/5a31-yr03
Effect of internet use and electronic game‑play on academic performance of Australian children
Islam, Md Irteja, Biswas, Raaj Kishor and Khanam, Rasheda. 2020. "Effect of internet use and electronic game‑play on academic performance of Australian children." Scientific Reports. 10 (1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-78916-9
Interaction between the place of residence and wealth on the risk of overweight and obesity in Bangladeshi women
Ahmad, Kabir, Khanam, Taslima, Keramat, Sayed Afroz, Islam, Md. Irteja, Kabir, Enamul and Khanam, Rasheda. 2020. "Interaction between the place of residence and wealth on the risk of overweight and obesity in Bangladeshi women." PLoS One. 15 (12), pp. 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0243349
Mapping and situation analysis of basic WASH facilities at households in Bangladesh: Evidence from a nationally representative survey
Ahmed, Md. Sabbir, Islam Md Irteja, Das, Manik Chandra, Khan, Arifuzzaman and Yunus, Fakir Md. 2021. "Mapping and situation analysis of basic WASH facilities at households in Bangladesh: Evidence from a nationally representative survey ." PLoS One. 16. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0259635
Cost-effectiveness analysis of a large-scale crèche intervention to prevent child drowning in rural Bangladesh
Alfonso, Y. Natalia, Hyder, Adnan A., Alonge, Olakunle, Salam, Shumona Sharmin, Baset, Kamran, Rahman, Aminur, Hoque, Dewan Md Emdadul, Islam, Irteja, Rahman, Fazlur, El-Arifeen, Shams and Bishai, David. 2021. "Cost-effectiveness analysis of a large-scale crèche intervention to prevent child drowning in rural Bangladesh ." Injury Epidemiology. 8 (1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40621-021-00351-9
Bullying victimization, mental disorders, suicidality and self-harm among Australian high schoolchildren: Evidence from nationwide data
Islam, Md. Irteja, Khanam, Rasheda and Kabir, Enamul. 2020. "Bullying victimization, mental disorders, suicidality and self-harm among Australian high schoolchildren: Evidence from nationwide data." Psychiatry Research. 292. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2020.113364
The use of mental health services by Australian adolescents with mental disorders and suicidality: findings from a nationwide cross-sectional survey
Islam, Md. Irteja, Khanam, Rasheda and Kabir, Enamul. 2020. "The use of mental health services by Australian adolescents with mental disorders and suicidality: findings from a nationwide cross-sectional survey." PLoS One. 15 (4). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0231180
Suicidality, mental disorder and the utilization of mental health services among Australian adolescents
Islam, Md. Irteja, Kabir, Enamul and Khanam, Rasheda. 2020. "Suicidality, mental disorder and the utilization of mental health services among Australian adolescents." Children and Youth Services Review. 111. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2020.104821
Large-scale evaluation of interventions designed to reduce childhood Drownings in rural Bangladesh: a before and after cohort study
Alonge, Olakunle, Bishai, David, Wadhwaniya, Shirin, Agrawal, Priyanka, Rahman, Aminur, Hoque, Emdad Md. Dewan, Baset, Kamran Ul, Salam, Shumona Sharmin, Bhuiyan, Al-Amin, Islam, Md Irteja, Talab, Abu, Rahman, Qazi Sadeq-ur, Rahman, Fazlur, El-Arifeen, Shams and Hyder, Adnan A.. 2020. "Large-scale evaluation of interventions designed to reduce childhood Drownings in rural Bangladesh: a before and after cohort study ." Injury Epidemiology. 7 (1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40621-020-00245-2
Study protocol of a 4- parallel arm, superiority, community based cluster randomized controlled trial comparing paper and e-platform based interventions to improve accuracy of recall of last menstrual period (LMP) dates in rural Bangladesh
Salam, Shumona Sharmin, Ali, Nazia Binte, Rahman, Ahmed Ehsanur, Tahsina, Tazeen, Islam, Md. Irteja, Iqbal, Afrin, Hoque, Dewan Md. Emdadul, Saha, Samir Kumar and El-Arifeen, Shams. 2018. "Study protocol of a 4- parallel arm, superiority, community based cluster randomized controlled trial comparing paper and e-platform based interventions to improve accuracy of recall of last menstrual period (LMP) dates in rural Bangladesh ." BMC Public Health. 18 (1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-018-6258-z
The Burden of Suicide in Rural Bangladesh: Magnitude and Risk Factors
Salam, Shumona Sharmin, Alonge, Olakunle, Islam, Md Irteja, Hoque, Dewan Md Emdadul, Wadhwaniya, Shirin, Baset, Md Kamran Ul, Mashreky, Saidur Rahman and El-Arifeen, Shams. 2017. "The Burden of Suicide in Rural Bangladesh: Magnitude and Risk Factors ." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 14 (9). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14091032