JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Pregnancy is a time of heightened COVID-19 risk. Pregnant individuals’ choice of specific protective health behaviors during pregnancy may be affected by information sources.

Objective:

This study examined the association between COVID-19 information sources and engagement in protective health behaviors among a pregnant population in a large academic medical system.

Methods:

Pregnant patients completed an app-based questionnaire about their sources of COVID-19 information and engagement in protective health behaviors. The voluntary questionnaire was made available to patients using a pregnancy app as part of their routine prenatal care between April 21, 2020 and November 27, 2020.

Results:

637 pregnant responders routinely accessed a median of 5 sources for COVID-19 information. The most-cited source (79%) was the CDC. Participation in evidence-based protective actions was relatively high, although 14% engaged in potentially harmful behaviors to avoid COVID-19 infection. The CDC and other sources were positively associated with engaging in protective behaviors while others (e.g., President Trump) were negatively associated with protective behaviors. Participation in protective behaviors was not associated with refraining from potentially harmful behaviors. Moreover, over time, participation in protective behaviors decreased, and participation in potentially harmful actions increased.

Conclusions:

Pregnant people are highly engaged in COVID-19-related information-seeking and health behaviors. However, there may be a lack of clarity about which behaviors are actually protective. Clear and targeted communications from commonly accessed health organizations about which actions may be harmful, in addition to which actions offer protection, may offer needed support to the pregnant population.