International Journal of Public Health (Aug 2022)

COVID-19 Information-Seeking, Health Literacy, and Worry and Anxiety During the Early Stage of the Pandemic in Switzerland: A Cross-Sectional Study

  • Anica Ilic,
  • Katharina Roser,
  • Grit Sommer,
  • Grit Sommer,
  • Julia Baenziger,
  • Julia Baenziger,
  • Julia Baenziger,
  • Vera Ruth Mitter,
  • Vera Ruth Mitter,
  • Luzius Mader,
  • Daniela Dyntar,
  • Gisela Michel

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/ijph.2022.1604717
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 67

Abstract

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Objectives: To describe COVID-19 information-seeking behavior (CISB) during the first stage of the pandemic in Switzerland and identify its determinants.Methods: We conducted an online cross-sectional survey (4 May to 6 July 2020). Participants self-reported their CISB (information sources and frequency), personal COVID-19 situation (e.g., perception about having had COVID-19), sociodemographic information, and completed validated measures of health literacy, and worry and anxiety. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regressions.Results: We included 1,505 participants (24.7% male; mean age = 43.0 years, SD = 13.9). Most participants reported searching for information daily (n = 1,023, 68.0%) and referring to multiple information sources (mean 3.7, SD = 1.5). Commonly used sources were official websites (n = 1,129, 75.0%) and newspapers (n = 997, 66.2%). Participants with higher health literacy were more likely to seek information daily and use online resources, but less likely to use personal networks than those with lower health literacy. We did not find any association between CISB and worry and anxiety.Conclusion: More opportunities for personal dialogue and education about reliable online information resources should be encouraged to optimize the CISB of groups with lower health literacy.

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