Katherine R Arlinghaus1, Derek Hersch2, Dianne Neumark-Sztainer3, Katie A Loth4. 1. Assistant Professor, Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota School of Public Health, Minneapolis, MN, USA. 2. Research Facilitator, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA. 3. Professor & Division Head, Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota School of Public Health, Minneapolis, MN, USA. 4. Assistant Professor, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
Abstract
Background: Despite the increased availability of vaccines, masking and social distancing remain important strategies to mitigate COVID-19 transmission. This qualitative study aimed to better understand experiences navigating public health recommendations to slow the spread of COVID-19 among economically and ethnically diverse mothers with young children. Methods: Mothers of preschoolers (n=25) were recruited from Project EAT 2010-2018 (Eating and Activity over Time) longitudinal cohort. Participants completed a virtual semi-structured interview about their experiences during COVID-19. Interview transcripts were coded using deductive and inductive content analysis and analyzed using thematic analysis to identify themes. Results: The first identified theme, "Selective adherence to recommendations" included subthemes highlighting how social distancing was more challenging than mask wearing, family and children were primary reasons for reduced adherence, and concern for the wellbeing of others influenced adherence. The second theme, "Personal experiences and relationships were important determinants of perceived severity of the virus and critical aspects of desired support," included subthemes on feelings of uncertainty, personal experiences with the virus, and desired community supports. Participants felt stressed and confused about what information to trust. Personal experiences with COVID-19 influenced perceptions of its seriousness, and mothers were more confident about following recommendations when they them from trusted medical professionals and desired for communities to work together. Conclusions: How findings among this diverse population of mothers can help inform future public health messaging and policies throughout the remainder of this pandemic, its aftermath, and future public health emergencies, in which masking and social distancing will be needed, are discussed.
Background: Despite the increased availability of vaccines, masking and social distancing remain important strategies to mitigate COVID-19 transmission. This qualitative study aimed to better understand experiences navigating public health recommendations to slow the spread of COVID-19 among economically and ethnically diverse mothers with young children. Methods: Mothers of preschoolers (n=25) were recruited from Project EAT 2010-2018 (Eating and Activity over Time) longitudinal cohort. Participants completed a virtual semi-structured interview about their experiences during COVID-19. Interview transcripts were coded using deductive and inductive content analysis and analyzed using thematic analysis to identify themes. Results: The first identified theme, "Selective adherence to recommendations" included subthemes highlighting how social distancing was more challenging than mask wearing, family and children were primary reasons for reduced adherence, and concern for the wellbeing of others influenced adherence. The second theme, "Personal experiences and relationships were important determinants of perceived severity of the virus and critical aspects of desired support," included subthemes on feelings of uncertainty, personal experiences with the virus, and desired community supports. Participants felt stressed and confused about what information to trust. Personal experiences with COVID-19 influenced perceptions of its seriousness, and mothers were more confident about following recommendations when they them from trusted medical professionals and desired for communities to work together. Conclusions: How findings among this diverse population of mothers can help inform future public health messaging and policies throughout the remainder of this pandemic, its aftermath, and future public health emergencies, in which masking and social distancing will be needed, are discussed.
Entities:
Keywords:
COVID-19; health communication; life stress; masks; preventative medicine; social distancing
Authors: Benjamin Rader; Laura F White; Michael R Burns; Jack Chen; Joseph Brilliant; Jon Cohen; Jeffrey Shaman; Larry Brilliant; Moritz U G Kraemer; Jared B Hawkins; Samuel V Scarpino; Christina M Astley; John S Brownstein Journal: Lancet Digit Health Date: 2021-01-19
Authors: Arnstein Finset; Hayden Bosworth; Phyllis Butow; Pål Gulbrandsen; Robert L Hulsman; Arwen H Pieterse; Richard Street; Robin Tschoetschel; Julia van Weert Journal: Patient Educ Couns Date: 2020-05
Authors: Sohee Kwon; Amit D Joshi; Chun-Han Lo; David A Drew; Long H Nguyen; Chuan-Guo Guo; Wenjie Ma; Raaj S Mehta; Fatma Mohamed Shebl; Erica T Warner; Christina M Astley; Jordi Merino; Benjamin Murray; Jonathan Wolf; Sebastien Ourselin; Claire J Steves; Tim D Spector; Jaime E Hart; Mingyang Song; Trang VoPham; Andrew T Chan Journal: Nat Commun Date: 2021-06-18 Impact factor: 14.919
Authors: Catherine M Brown; Johanna Vostok; Hillary Johnson; Meagan Burns; Radhika Gharpure; Samira Sami; Rebecca T Sabo; Noemi Hall; Anne Foreman; Petra L Schubert; Glen R Gallagher; Timelia Fink; Lawrence C Madoff; Stacey B Gabriel; Bronwyn MacInnis; Daniel J Park; Katherine J Siddle; Vaira Harik; Deirdre Arvidson; Taylor Brock-Fisher; Molly Dunn; Amanda Kearns; A Scott Laney Journal: MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep Date: 2021-08-06 Impact factor: 17.586