Perception of Local COVID-19 Transmission and Use of Preventive Behaviors Among Adults with Recent SARS-CoV-2 Infection — Illinois and Michigan, June 1–July 31, 2022

Details

• Journal Article:
  Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR)
• Personal Author:
  Czeisler, Mark É. ; Lane, Rashon I. ; Orellana, Robert C. ; Lundeen, Kristen ; Macomber, Kathryn ; Collins, Jim ; Varma, Prerna ; Booker, Lauren A. ; Rajaratnam, Shantha M.W. ; Howard, Mark E. ; Czeisler, Charles A. ; Flannery, Brendan ; Weaver, Matthew D.
• Description:
  During the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, use of preventive behaviors was associated with perceived risk for contracting SARS-CoV-2 infection (1,2). Over time, perceived risk has declined along with waning COVID-19-related media coverage (3,4). The extent to which communities continue to be aware of local COVID-19 transmission levels and are implementing recommended preventive behaviors is unknown. During June 1-July 31, 2022, health departments in DuPage County, Illinois and metropolitan Detroit, Michigan surveyed a combined total of 4,934 adults who had received a positive test result for SARS-CoV-2 during the preceding 3 weeks. The association between awareness of local COVID-19 transmission and use of preventive behaviors and practices was assessed, both in response to perceived local COVID-19 transmission levels and specifically during the 2 weeks preceding SARS-CoV-2 testing. Both areas had experienced sustained high COVID-19 transmission during the study interval as categorized by CDC COVID-19 transmission levels.* Overall, 702 (14%) respondents perceived local COVID-19 transmission levels as high, 987 (20%) as substantial, 1,902 (39%) as moderate, and 581 (12%) as low; 789 (16%) reported they did not know. Adjusting for geographic area, age, gender identity, and combined race and ethnicity, respondents who perceived local COVID-19 transmission levels as high were more likely to report having made behavioral changes because of the level of COVID-19 transmission in their area, including wearing a mask in public, limiting travel, and avoiding crowded places or events. Continued monitoring of public perceptions of local COVID-19 levels and developing a better understanding of their influence on the use of preventive behaviors can guide COVID-19 communication strategies and policy making during and beyond the pandemic.
• Subjects:
  Adult COVID-19 Testing COVID-19/epidemiology COVID-19/prevention & Control Female Gender Identity Humans Male Pandemics/prevention & Control Perception SARS-CoV-2

  More +
• Source:
  MMWR Morbidity Mortal Weekly Rep. 71(46):1471-1478
• Series:
  Weekly Report: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR)
• DOI:
  http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7146a2
• ISSN:
  0149-2195 (print) ; 1545-861X (digital)
• Pubmed ID:
  36395064
• Pubmed Central ID:
  PMC9707356
• Document Type:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Illinois ; Michigan
• Pages in Document:
  8 pdf pages
• Volume:
  71
• Issue:
  46
• Collection(s):
  Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR)
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:f535fa9c1943613bed7dbfe84efffffd1f71c84932f8c2bac87ac5d26c1de3a426c9e7818b444701861662a17a440ca36df6bd4190b7d3cfeef770c72ebf28d4
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/123150/cdc_123150_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 324.18 KB ]