Health behaviors changes during COVID-19: a study of Australianimmigrants

Abstract

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected different immigrant groups.The increase in health risk factors in times of COVID-19 has been under-researched, among theimmigrant population of Australia. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate changes in healthbehaviors during COVID-19 in South Asian Australian immigrants. Methods: An 2020 and March 2tobacco and alcohol consumption, internet,and board games use for recreation.Result: Most immigrants (40.7%) reported an increase inalcohol consumption while only 5.3% reported a decrease. Tobacco use increased by 38.5 % whiledecreased by 3.5%. The increase in watching television (66.8%) and internet use for recreation(73.9%) were also noticeable. Physical inactivity increased in 41.1% of the participants anddecreased in 32.4%. Participants from the high-income group were significantly associated with anincrease in physical inactivity, alcohol consumption, and playing video games (p<0.005). Conclusions: Longitudinal tracking is required to understand the effect of these changes in healthbehaviors and their health consequences in the immigrant population of Australia