The Influence of Sociodemographic Heterogeneity on the Perceptions of COVID-19: A Countrywide Survey Study in the USA

Pritish Mondal, Ankita Sinharoy, Binu-John Sankoorikal, Roopa Siddaiah, Lauren Mazur and Gavin Graff
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Pritish Mondal: Division of Pediatric Pulmonology, Department of Pediatrics, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA
Ankita Sinharoy: Penn State University, Harrisburg, PA 17057, USA
Binu-John Sankoorikal: Division of Pediatric Pulmonology, Department of Pediatrics, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA
Roopa Siddaiah: Division of Pediatric Pulmonology, Department of Pediatrics, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA
Lauren Mazur: Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA
Gavin Graff: Division of Pediatric Pulmonology, Department of Pediatrics, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 17, 1-11

Abstract: Background: Sociodemographic factors such as age, race, education, family income, and sex have been reported to influence COVID-related perceptions, reflected by knowledge, stress, and preventive behavior. We conducted a US-based survey to estimate the difference in COVID-related perceptions among diverse sociodemographic groups and the influence of sociodemographic heterogeneity on COVID-related perceptions. Methods: The survey enquired about sociodemographic parameters and relevant information to measure knowledge, stress, and preventive behavior. COVID-perception scores among sociodemographic subgroups were compared with ANOVA (Bonferroni). The general linear model (GLM) was used to estimate the association among sociodemographic factors and COVID-related perceptions. Results: Females (75%) and White participants (78%) were the predominant (N = 3734). Females, White participants, wealthy, and educated participants demonstrated better knowledge, while participants of minority races, younger ages, low incomes, and females experienced high stress. Females, African-Americans, and educated participants better adopted preventive behaviors. Race, family income, and sex were the highest contributors to the predictive model. Sociodemographic determinants had statistically significant associations with knowledge (F-score = 7.72, p < 0.001; foremost predictor: race), stress (F-score = 16.46, p < 0.001; foremost predictor: income), and preventive behavior (GLM: F-score = 7.72, p < 0.001, foremost predictor: sex). Conclusion: Sociodemographic heterogeneity significantly influenced COVID-related perceptions, while race, family income, and sex were the strongest determinants of COVID-related perceptions.

Keywords: COVID-19; perception of COVID-19; preventive behavior; COVID-related stress; survey study; general linear model; sociodemographic predictors (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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