Abstract
We examined changes in “Kayoi-no-ba” engagements among the old-old living in an urban environment by comparing their pre- and post-COVID-19 participation and the factors associated therewith. A mail survey was conducted among the old-old in August 2021. Logistic regression analysis was conducted using data from 29,490 respondents, with participation in “Kayoi-no-ba” of each type of place before and after the spread of the pandemic as the dependent variable, and basic attributes, living conditions, and health status as the independent variables. New participation after the spread of infection was significantly associated with non-face-to-face interaction regardless of the type of “Kayoi-no-ba.” Further, new participation was significantly associated with gender, residential status, income, education, and smartphone use. On the other hand, discontinuation of participation was significantly associated with women and frailty, regardless of the type of “Kayoi-no-ba.” Depending on the type of “Kayoi-no-ba,” discontinuation of participation was significantly associated with marital status, smartphone use, and employment, as well as with non-face-to-face interaction and a subjective sense of health. These results suggest that the process of refraining from or suspending participation in “Kayoi-no-ba” may differ depending on the type and content of the “Kayoi-no-ba.”
