Study Finds Women Approach Coronavirus Precautions More Seriously Than Men

If you manage both women and men, are you finding your female staff are more conscientious about following coronavirus safety protocols? A recent study from the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (PNAS) found that women take COVID-19 precautions more seriously than men.

The study surveyed 21,649 adults in the United States, Australia, Austria, France, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. PNAS collected the survey data through international researchers at Harvard Business School in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Bocconi University in Italy, and other universities.

Survey data showed that women are less likely to become infected and experience less mortality than men. Researches wrote that “women are more likely to perceive COVID-19 as a very serious health problem, to agree with restraining public policy measures, and to comply with them.” The main behavior differences between genders were handwashing and mask wearing.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) previously said men needed more reminders about handwashing than women. Study researchers confirmed a need to create COVID-19-related health protocol campaigns aimed specifically at men.

It is important to note that the survey results were not due to sociodemographic characteristics and psychological factors, according to study researchers. Additionally, COVID-19 compliance in both women and men dropped over time.