Behaviors and Advocacy Related to COVID-19 among Cancer Patients: The Health Belief Model and Opportunities for Messaging and Education

Abstract Introduction. Cancer patients have an increased risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes and were recommended to be vaccinated, wear a mask, practice social distancing, and increase hand hygiene. We used the Health Belief Model (HBM) to identify constructs that were associated with the likelihood of adhering to and advocating of CDC COVID-19 prevention recommendations. Methods. We surveyed adult cancer patients who had an onsite appointment at the Penn State Cancer Institute or at the Hematology and Oncology Associates of Northeastern Pennsylvania. Survey measures included adherence to and informing others of COVID-19 recommendations as well as HBM constructs. Relationships between HBM constructs and outcomes were assessed with Spearman correlation and multivariable ordinal logistic regression. Results. Of the 106 participants who completed the survey for our objectives of interest, 76% always wore a mask, 29% always practiced social distancing, and 24% washed their hands at least 10 times a day. Limited advocacy behaviors were captured for the COVID-19 vaccine (30%), social distancing (36%), and wearing masks (27%). Perceived benefits, perceived barriers, and cues-to-action were positively associated with the likelihood of adherence or advocacy of COVID-19 recommendations among cancer patients, whereas perceived susceptibility and self-efficacy were negatively associated with the likelihood of adherence or advocacy of COVID-19 recommendations among cancer patients. Conclusions. Perceived benefits may be the strongest predictor for adherence and advocacy for specific COVID-19 guidelines. Future messaging and educational campaigns focused on improving adherence to or advocacy of specific health behaviors should be informed by the HBM and originate from multiple outlets.

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Work Title Behaviors and Advocacy Related to COVID-19 among Cancer Patients: The Health Belief Model and Opportunities for Messaging and Education
Access
Open Access
Creators
  1. Savanna Ledford
  2. Jennifer Moss
  3. Steve Alles
  4. Ming Wang
  5. Fritz Kessler
  6. Benjamin Marks
  7. Amr Soliman
  8. Monika Joshi
  9. Eugene Lengerich
Keyword
  1. Cancer Patients
  2. COVID-19-related Health Behaviors
  3. Adherence
  4. Advocacy
  5. Health Belief Model
  6. Pennsylvania
License No Copyright - U.S.
Work Type Research Paper
Acknowledgments
  1. Savanna Ledford was supported by the Cancer Epidemiology Education in Special Populations (CEESP) Program (Grant R25CA112383) from the National Cancer Institute. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Cancer Institute or the National Institutes of Health.
Publication Date 2023
Geographic Area
  1. Pennsylvania
Deposited April 14, 2023

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Version 1
published

  • Created
  • Updated
  • Updated Keyword, Geographic Area Show Changes
    Keyword
    • Cancer Patients
    • Cancer Patients, COVID-19-related Health Behaviors, Adherence, Advocacy, Health Belief Model, Pennsylvania
    Geographic Area
    • Pennsylvania
  • Updated Acknowledgments Show Changes
    Acknowledgments
    • Savanna Ledford was supported by the Cancer Epidemiology Education in Special Populations (CEESP) Program (Grant R25CA112383) from the National Cancer Institute. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Cancer Institute or the National Institutes of Health.
  • Added Creator Savanna Ledford
  • Added Creator Jennifer Moss
  • Added Creator Steve Alles
  • Added Creator Ming Wang
  • Added Creator Fritz Kessler
  • Added Creator Benjamin Marks
  • Added Creator Amr Soliman
  • Added Creator Monika Joshi
  • Added Creator Eugene Lengerich
  • Added PSU_Behaviors_and_Advo_Cancer_Patients.docx
  • Added Supp_File_Questionnaire Patient Onc Patients 01.07.2022.docx
  • Added Table 1_Cancer_Patient_Survey.docx
  • Added Table 2_Cancer_Patient_Survey.docx
  • Added Figure 1_Cancer_Patient_Survey.docx
  • Added Supp_Table 3_Cancer_Patient_survey.docx
  • Added Supp_Table1_Cancer_Patient_Survey.docx
  • Added Supplement Table 2_Cancer_Patient_Survey.docx
  • Added Supplement Table 4_cancer_patient_manu.docx
  • Updated License Show Changes
    License
    • https://rightsstatements.org/page/NoC-US/1.0/
  • Deleted Figure 1_Cancer_Patient_Survey.docx
  • Deleted PSU_Behaviors_and_Advo_Cancer_Patients.docx
  • Deleted Supp_File_Questionnaire Patient Onc Patients 01.07.2022.docx
  • Deleted Supplement Table 2_Cancer_Patient_Survey.docx
  • Deleted Supplement Table 4_cancer_patient_manu.docx
  • Deleted Supp_Table1_Cancer_Patient_Survey.docx
  • Deleted Supp_Table 3_Cancer_Patient_survey.docx
  • Deleted Table 1_Cancer_Patient_Survey.docx
  • Deleted Table 2_Cancer_Patient_Survey.docx
  • Added PSU_Behaviors_and_Advo_Cancer_Patients.docx
  • Added Supp_File_Questionnaire Patient Onc Patients 01.07.2022.docx
  • Added Table 1_Cancer_Patient_Survey.docx
  • Added Figure 1_Cancer_Patient_Survey.docx
  • Added Table 2_Cancer_Patient_Survey.docx
  • Added Supp_Table1_Cancer_Patient_Survey.docx
  • Added Supplement Table 2_Cancer_Patient_Survey.docx
  • Added Supp_Table 3_Cancer_Patient_survey.docx
  • Added Supplement Table 4_cancer_patient_manu.docx
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