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.