2.2.1. Outcome Variable

The outcome variable is the changes in DHB among older Chinese during the COVID-19 pandemic, which were measured by a self-administered questionnaire. All behavior-related questions were designed on the WHO’s practical guidelines on self-care interventions for health [20]. Specifically, the measurement was designed to ask participants’ self-assessed frequency changes in their health behaviors using the phrase, “How often did you [particular DHB category] in the past week?”. Based on the self-care pillars [22]: hygiene (general and personal), nutrition (type and quality of food eaten), lifestyle (sporting activities, leisure, etc.), and self-medication, the evaluated DHB included 6 self-care activities—(1) Opening the door/window to keep interactive ventilation; (2) Washing hands; (3) Performing physical activities; (4) Eating vegetables and fruits (V.F.), and rich-protein diets; (5) Taking vitamins/medical supplements; and (6) Having a high-quality sleep with enough hours. The assessed results were shown as the changes in taking frequency, with response options of ‘decreased’, ‘no changes’, and ‘increased’.