@Article{info:doi/10.2196/37846,
author="Tetteh, Emmanuel Kwabena
and Combs, Todd
and Geng, Elvin Hsing
and McKay, Virginia Ruth",
title="Public Health Information Seeking, Trust, and COVID-19 Prevention Behaviors: Cross-sectional Study",
journal="J Med Internet Res",
year="2022",
month="Sep",
day="30",
volume="24",
number="9",
pages="e37846",
keywords="COVID-19; public health; health communication; trust and mistrust; disease prevention; health measure; health information; cross-sectional study; Health Belief Model",
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 toward preventative behaviors may be dependent on their sources of information and trust in the information. Objective: The aim of this study was to understand the relationship between trusting in COVID-19 information and preventative behaviors in a racially and politically diverse metropolitan area in the United States. Methods: We conducted a web-based cross-sectional survey of residents in St. Louis City and County in Missouri. Individuals aged ≥18 years were eligible to participate. Participants were recruited using a convenience sampling approach through social media and email. The Health Belief Model and the Socioecological Model informed instrument development, as well as COVID-19--related questions from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We performed an ordinary least squares linear regression model to estimate social distancing practices, perceptions, and trust in COVID-19 information sources. Results: Of the 1650 eligible participants, the majority (n=1381, 83.7{\%}) had sought or received COVID-19--related information from a public health agency, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or both. Regression analysis showed a 1{\%} increase in preventative behaviors for every 12{\%} increase in trust in governmental health agencies. At their lowest levels of trust, women were 68{\%} more likely to engage in preventative behaviors than men. Overall, those aged 18-45 years without vulnerable medical conditions were the least likely 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 during disease outbreaks. ",
issn="1438-8871",
doi="10.2196/37846",
url="https://www.jmir.org/2022/9/e37846",
url="https://doi.org/10.2196/37846",
url="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/36084197"
}