Flattening the curve: Factors associated with engagement in health protective behaviors at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic among Black individuals from predominantly low-income backgrounds

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic had negative consequences for individuals in the United States, especially Black and low-income populations. At the start of the pandemic, efforts were made to stop the spread of COVID-19 through recommending person-level, health protective behaviors (e.g. mask wearing), but minimal research has explored what factors were related to Black and low-income individuals’ engagement in these behaviors. The current study sought to increase understanding on how (a) COVID-19 knowledge, (b) medical mistrust, and (c) COVID-19 specific worry, related to following COVID-19 recommendations at the start of the pandemic in a sample of 110 Black, predominantly low-income, caregivers of young children. Findings demonstrated that participants were frequently following the COVID-19 recommendations, and that COVID-19 specific worry was positively associated with following the recommendations. Findings help provide feedback and possible guidance for how public health initiatives may serve Black individuals from low-income communities to encourage engagement in health protective behaviors.