TY  - JOUR
AU  - Gunderson, Justine
AU  - Mitchell, Dwayne
AU  - Reid, Keshia
AU  - Jordan, Melissa
PY  - 2021
TI  - COVID-19 Information-Seeking and Prevention Behaviors in Florida, April 2020
T2  - Preventing Chronic Disease
JO  - Prev Chronic Dis
SP  - E17
VL  - 18
CY  - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, USA.
N2  - INTRODUCTION  Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) surveillance can be enhanced by collecting population-level data on individual prevention measures. We described the use of a state-based, population-level surveillance system on COVID-19 prevention and information-seeking behaviors in Florida during the first month of survey administration. METHODS  Beginning in April 2020, respondents of the Florida Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System were asked a series of 8 questions about sources of COVID-19 information and prevention behaviors. We analyzed the prevalence of information-seeking and prevention behaviors among respondents who answered at least 1 of the 8 questions (N = 1,004) overall, by demographic characteristics, and by the presence of chronic conditions. RESULTS  Most respondents reported engaging in prevention behaviors, including handwashing (98.2%), reducing or avoiding travel (96.6%), avoiding crowds and public events (96.5%), and keeping household members at home (87.5%); however, the prevalence of prevention behaviors varied significantly by age, sex, and education. The most frequently reported source of COVID-19 information was the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's website (40.8%) followed by the Florida Department of Health's website (32.9%). We found significant differences in information sources across all demographic and chronic condition subgroups. A larger proportion of respondents with chronic conditions (vs without chronic conditions) reported consulting their personal doctor for COVID-19 information. CONCLUSION  Understanding the uptake and characteristics associated with individual prevention and information-seeking behaviors at the population level facilitates COVID-19 response efforts. The rapid implementation of COVID-19-related questions in the Florida BRFSS provides a useful model for other population-based surveillance systems.
SN  - 1545-1151
UR  - https://doi.org/10.5888/pcd18.200575
DO  - 10.5888/pcd18.200575
ER  -