%0 Journal Article
%@ 1438-8871
%I JMIR Publications
%V 24
%N 9
%P e37846
%T Public Health Information Seeking, Trust, and COVID-19 Prevention Behaviors: Cross-sectional Study
%A Tetteh,Emmanuel Kwabena
%A Combs,Todd
%A Geng,Elvin Hsing
%A McKay,Virginia Ruth
%+ Center for Public Health Systems Science, Washington University in St Louis, One Brookings Drive, St Louis, MO, 63130, United States, 1 314 935 5740, virginia.mckay@wustl.edu
%K COVID-19
%K public health
%K health communication
%K trust and mistrust
%K disease prevention
%K health measure
%K health information
%K cross-sectional study
%K Health Belief Model
%D 2022
%7 30.9.2022
%9 Original Paper
%J J Med Internet Res
%G English
%X 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. 
%M 36084197
%R 10.2196/37846
%U https://www.jmir.org/2022/9/e37846
%U https://doi.org/10.2196/37846
%U http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/36084197