Understanding the Demographics, Behaviors, Attitudes and the Perceived Barriers that Impede Covid-19 Public Health Mitigation Measures among Residents Of Metro Atlanta

Abstract

UNDERSTANDING THE DEMOGRAPHICS, BEHAVIORS, ATTITUDES, AND THE PERCEIVED BARRIERS THAT IMPEDE COVID-19 PUBLIC HEALTH MITIGATION MEASURES AMONG RESIDENTS OF METRO ATLANTA. By Yomi Bello ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION: The novel COVID-19 is responsible for enormous medical costs, lost earnings, diminished economy, and thousands of deaths in the United States. Face mask-wearing, social distancing, and handwashing habits are effective prevention methods for minimizing the spread of COVID-19 virus infection. However, despite the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Public Health Advisory Committee (PHAC) recommendations in favor of the above non-pharmacological methods, many people are hesitant to adhere to COVID-19 virus infection mitigations guidelines. AIM: This study aims to describe the characteristics, attitudes, behaviors, and perceived barriers of American adults in adhering to face mask-wearing, social distancing, and handwashing habits for mitigating COVID-19 infection. METHODS: Forty-four Metro Atlanta area participants completed a questionnaire that was administered using survey monkey. All study participants (≥18 years of age) consented to study participation. Basic statistics, including means and frequencies, were used to describe attitudes, behaviors, and barriers associated with face mask-wearing, social distancing, and handwashing habits for mitigating COVID-19 infection. RESULTS: A total of 44 respondents (65.9% female, 34.1% male) aged between 19 and 81 years consented to participate in the study. Almost all participants (97.7%) practiced social distancing; 95.5% practiced handwashing, while all participants wore face masks. Out of the total, 29.5% and 65.9% agreed or strongly agreed that mask-wearing is vital in protecting against COVID-19 infection. In contrast, only 4.5% strongly disagreed that mask-wearing is essential for the prevention of COVID-19 transmission. About 73.5% of the black participants agreed/strongly agreed that wearing a face mask is crucial in mitigating COVID-19 infection compared to 60.0% of white participants. All conservatives agreed/strongly agreed that wearing face mask is for the public good. Out of the 20 who considered themselves politically liberal, 95.0% (19/20) agreed/strongly agreed that wearing a face mask is for the public good. All participants in the independent category strongly agreed that wearing a face mask is for the public good. Regarding perceptions of face mask-wearing, 43.2% of study participants felt uncomfortable, 52.3% agree/strongly agreed it makes hearing difficult, while 6.8% describe face masks as unappealing. DISCUSSION: This study suggests the need for strong public health messages to avoid misunderstanding regarding COVID-19. Public health messages should be tailored to specific at-risk groups. Framing good public health messaging may reduce adverse attitudes, behaviors, and barriers associated with COVID-19, including vaccination hesitancy in at-risk US populations