JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Preventative health measures such as shelter in place and mask-wearing have been widely encouraged to curb the spread of the COVID-19 disease. People’s attitudes towards preventative behaviors may be dependent on their sources of information and trust in the information.

Objective:

The aim of this study is to understand the relationship between trusting in COVID-19 information and preventative behavior in a racially and politically diverse metropolitan area in the United States.

Methods:

We conducted an online cross-sectional survey of residents in St. Louis City and County in Missouri. Individuals older than 17 years were eligible to participate. Participants were recruited using a convenience sampling approach through social media and email. The Health Belief Model (HBM) and the Socio-ecological Model informed instrument development, as well as COVID-19-related questions from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). We performed an ordinary least squares linear regression model to estimate social distancing practices, perceptions, and trust in COVID-19 information sources.

Results:

Out of 1650 eligible participants, the majority (84%, n=1403) had sought or received COVID-19 related information from a public health agency (PHA), the CDC or both. Regression analysis showed a 1% increase in preventative behavior for every 12% increase in trust in governmental health agencies. At their lowest levels of trust, women were 64% more likely to engage in preventative behavior than men. Overall, 18-45 year-olds without vulnerable medical conditions were the least to engage in preventative behaviors.

Conclusions:

Trust in COVID-19 information increases an individual’s likelihood of practicing preventative behaviors. Effective health communication strategies should be used to effectively disseminate health information in disease outbreaks.