Skip to main content
Top
Published in: BMC Public Health 1/2021

Open Access 01-12-2021 | Public Health | Research article

Trust in health information sources and its associations with COVID-19 disruptions to social relationships and health services among people living with HIV

Authors: Seth C. Kalichman, Bruno Shkembi, Moira O. Kalichman, Lisa A. Eaton

Published in: BMC Public Health | Issue 1/2021

Login to get access

Abstract

Background

SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19) is potentially severe for individuals with compromised immune systems, including people living with HIV. Along with the direct health threats of COVID-19, there are disruptions to social relationships and health services resulting from mitigation efforts instituted by public health authorities. This study examined the relationship between trust in the government and trust in COVID-19 health information from the US CDC, state health departments, and social media on the experience of COVID-19 social and health services-related disruptions.

Methods

People living with HIV (N = 459) recruited through social media advertisements and chain referrals completed confidential surveys delivered through an online platform.

Results

Participants experienced high-levels of disruptions to social relationships and health services attributable to COVID-19 mitigation efforts. We also observed high-rates of inaccurate information and low-levels of trust in government and sources of COVID-19 information. Greater disruptions to social relationships were predicted by more concern about oneself and others contracting COVID-19, whereas disruptions to health services were predicted by greater concern for oneself contracting COVID-19, greater general medical mistrust, and less trust in information from the CDC.

Conclusions

Findings have implications for the necessity of rebuilding public trust in credible sources of health information and stepping up efforts to counter sources of inaccurate information.
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
Literature
4.
go back to reference Wang R, Pan M, Zhang X, Fan X, Han M, Zhao F, et al. Epidemiological and clinical features of 125 hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in Fuyang, Anhui, China. Int J Infect Dis. 2020. Wang R, Pan M, Zhang X, Fan X, Han M, Zhao F, et al. Epidemiological and clinical features of 125 hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in Fuyang, Anhui, China. Int J Infect Dis. 2020.
8.
go back to reference Del Amo J, Polo R, Moreno S, Diaz A, Martinez E, Arribas JR, et al. Incidence and severity of COVID-19 in HIV-positive persons receiving antiretroviral therapy: a cohort study. Ann Intern Med. 2020. Del Amo J, Polo R, Moreno S, Diaz A, Martinez E, Arribas JR, et al. Incidence and severity of COVID-19 in HIV-positive persons receiving antiretroviral therapy: a cohort study. Ann Intern Med. 2020.
13.
go back to reference Ridgway J, Schmitt,J., Friedman, E., Taylor, M., Delvin, S., McNulty, M.,Pitrak, D. . HIV care continuum and COVID-19 outcomes among people living with HIV during the COVID-19 pandemic, Chicago. AIDS and Behavior. 2020. Ridgway J, Schmitt,J., Friedman, E., Taylor, M., Delvin, S., McNulty, M.,Pitrak, D. . HIV care continuum and COVID-19 outcomes among people living with HIV during the COVID-19 pandemic, Chicago. AIDS and Behavior. 2020.
14.
go back to reference Kalichman SC, Eaton LA, Berman M, Kalichman MO, Katner H, Sam SS, et al. Intersecting pandemics: impact of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) protective behaviors on people living with HIV, Atlanta, Georgia. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 2020. Kalichman SC, Eaton LA, Berman M, Kalichman MO, Katner H, Sam SS, et al. Intersecting pandemics: impact of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) protective behaviors on people living with HIV, Atlanta, Georgia. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 2020.
17.
go back to reference Gupta R, Dhamija RK. Covid-19: social distancing or social isolation? BMJ. 2020;369:m2399.CrossRef Gupta R, Dhamija RK. Covid-19: social distancing or social isolation? BMJ. 2020;369:m2399.CrossRef
20.
go back to reference Yamey G, Gonsalves G. Donald Trump: a political determinant of covid-19. BMJ. 2020;369:m1643.CrossRef Yamey G, Gonsalves G. Donald Trump: a political determinant of covid-19. BMJ. 2020;369:m1643.CrossRef
22.
go back to reference Peterson EB, Chou WS, Kelley DE, Hesse B. Trust in national health information sources in the United States: comparing predictors and levels of trust across three health domains. Transl Behav Med. 2019. Peterson EB, Chou WS, Kelley DE, Hesse B. Trust in national health information sources in the United States: comparing predictors and levels of trust across three health domains. Transl Behav Med. 2019.
24.
go back to reference Dyer O. Covid-19: trump stokes protests against social distancing measures. BMJ. 2020;369:m1596.CrossRef Dyer O. Covid-19: trump stokes protests against social distancing measures. BMJ. 2020;369:m1596.CrossRef
29.
go back to reference Ahmed Siddiqui MY, Mushtaq K, Mohamed MFH, Al Soub H, Hussein Mohamedali MG, Yousaf Z. "Social Media Misinformation"-An Epidemic within the COVID-19 Pandemic. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2020. Ahmed Siddiqui MY, Mushtaq K, Mohamed MFH, Al Soub H, Hussein Mohamedali MG, Yousaf Z. "Social Media Misinformation"-An Epidemic within the COVID-19 Pandemic. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2020.
36.
go back to reference Dyer O. Covid-19: trump declares intention to "re-open economy" within weeks against experts' advice. BMJ. 2020;368:m1217.CrossRef Dyer O. Covid-19: trump declares intention to "re-open economy" within weeks against experts' advice. BMJ. 2020;368:m1217.CrossRef
37.
go back to reference Tanne JH. Covid-19: US cases soar as trump pushes for schools to open. BMJ. 2020;370:m2803.CrossRef Tanne JH. Covid-19: US cases soar as trump pushes for schools to open. BMJ. 2020;370:m2803.CrossRef
Metadata
Title
Trust in health information sources and its associations with COVID-19 disruptions to social relationships and health services among people living with HIV
Authors
Seth C. Kalichman
Bruno Shkembi
Moira O. Kalichman
Lisa A. Eaton
Publication date
01-12-2021
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Public Health / Issue 1/2021
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-10856-z

Other articles of this Issue 1/2021

BMC Public Health 1/2021 Go to the issue