COVID-19 Information Sources and Potential Influence to Testing Behavior and Attitudes of COVID-19 in Community Members Impacted by Diabetes Open Access

Abstract

Health information communication has been important during the coronavirus disease pandemic, also known as COVID-19. Information dissemination on the progression of the disease, epidemiology, testing, and prevention has been a critical part of efforts to control the pandemic. In the age of advanced technology, information spread at a rate faster than ever before. In an effort to understand how different information sources can impact people’s attitudes toward COVID-19 and behaviors towards COVID-19 testing, specifically in populations impacted by diabetes (people living with diabetes, at risk of diabetes, and caregivers), this study employed a mixed-method approach to investigate people’s information source and then further investigate the reasonings and other factors that may impact their testing behavior and attitudes. This study utilized a survey to gather quantitative data on information sources and the level of trust from participants at baseline and three-month follow-up. Then, these participants were contacted to be interviewed at baseline, and another time during a three-month follow-up. Results showed that participants trust healthcare professionals, some news sources (specifically local news), the CDC, and other US government information sources. However, trust in these information sources does not lead to testing behavior, rather, it is the combination of the information and the evaluation of risks due to other factors, such as exposure and symptoms that influence testing. In addition, social opportunities are also a facilitator of testing. Although social media was shown as an untrustworthy source, it still facilitates information flow, assists in spreading messages to a wider audience, and for participants to obtain home tests.

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER 1

LITERATURE REVIEW: 2

COVID-19 Infection and Epidemiology 2

Prevention Measures and Decision Making 3

Technology, Health Information Dissemination, and Health Behaviors 4

Introduction to Methods and the COM-B Theory 6

METHODS: 9

Data 9

Quantitative Data Analysis 12

Variables 12

Statistical Analysis 16

Qualitative Analysis 16

RESULTS: 19

Demographic Information: 19

COVID-19 Testing and Information Sources 19

Quantitative Results: Statistical Analysis: 20

Information Source Variables Logistic Regression Models 20

Race, Gender, and Ethnicity Comparisons: 23

Tables: 24

Qualitative Results 33

Psychological Capability 33

Social Opportunity 36

Reflective Motivation 37

Information Sources 39

Media Influences 43

Vaccinations 45

DISCUSSION 48

STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS 52

IMPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH PRACTICE 54

CONCLUSION 54

REFERENCES 56

About this Master's Thesis

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School	Rollins School of Public Health
Department	Hubert Department of Global Health
Degree	M.P.H.
Submission	Master's Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	Health Sciences, Epidemiology Health Sciences, Public Health
Keyword	Diabetes Social Media COVID-19 Information Source
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Weber, Mary Beth, Emory University

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