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- Title
Perceived Susceptibility and Severity of COVID-19 on Prevention Practices, Early in the Pandemic in the State of Florida.
- Authors
DeDonno, M. A.; Longo, J.; Levy, X.; Morris, J. D.
- Abstract
Early in the pandemic and prior to the development of the COVID-19 vaccine, prevention measures were promoted to help inhibit the spread of the virus. To optimize adherence to prevention practices, it's important to understand factors that may influence adherence. A study was conducted in the month of April, 2020, to explore the influence of perceptions of COVID-19 on prevention practices. The sample included members of a public social-media group focused on providing updates and information on COVID-19. A total of 719 individuals completed an online survey that assessed various aspects of COVID-19 which included experience, perceptions, and prevention practices. The perceptions of COVID-19 included perceived susceptibility of contracting the virus, and perceived potential severity if contracted COVID-19. To assess prevention practices, the survey included a 10-item prevention practices questionnaire that included items such as wearing a mask, and social distancing. Results revealed that perceived susceptibility of contracting COVID-19, and potential severity of COVID-19 were significant in predicting prevention practices. Further, results suggest that perceived potential severity predicts a greater proportion of the variance in prevention practices than susceptibility of contracting COVID-19. In addition, a moderation analysis revealed no interaction between perceived susceptibility and severity, which provides evidence that the variables do not influence one another. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
- Subjects
FLORIDA; MEDICAL masks; HEALTH Belief Model; COVID-19; ATTITUDE (Psychology); SOCIAL media; RISK perception; SEVERITY of illness index; ATTITUDES toward illness; PREVENTIVE health services; DISEASE susceptibility; HEALTH behavior; HEALTH attitudes; HEALTH; INFORMATION resources; QUESTIONNAIRES; SOCIAL distancing; COVID-19 pandemic; PUBLIC opinion
- Publication
Journal of Community Health, 2022, Vol 47, Issue 4, p627
- ISSN
0094-5145
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1007/s10900-022-01090-8