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The relation between knowledge and concern: A global study of children and COVID-19

Dina L G Borzekowski1, Christopher R Lane2, Ankit Chandnani1

  • 1University of Maryland, College Park, MD.

Health Psychology Research
|November 8, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Children

Area of Science:

  • Public Health
  • Risk Communication
  • Child Psychology

Background:

  • Children are a vulnerable population for risk communication during pandemics.
  • Understanding the relationship between COVID-19 knowledge and concern in children is crucial for effective messaging.
  • Global variations in COVID-19 messaging necessitate region-specific communication strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between COVID-19 knowledge and concern among preadolescents worldwide.
  • To identify regional differences in how knowledge influences children's pandemic-related worries.
  • To inform the development of targeted public health messages for children during health crises.

Main Methods:

  • An online survey was administered to 4,249 children (mean age 11.0) across 8 global regions in Spring 2020.
  • COVID-19 knowledge was assessed through questions on prevention, symptoms, and myths.
  • Children's concerns regarding illness, school, and activities were evaluated.

Main Results:

  • The relationship between COVID-19 knowledge and concern varied significantly by geographic region.
  • A positive association was observed in Sub-Saharan Africa, the Arabian region, Asia, and North America.
  • A flat or negative association was found in Latin America, Oceania, Europe, and Southeast Asia.

Conclusions:

  • Increased COVID-19 knowledge does not uniformly lead to decreased concern in children globally.
  • Health communicators must consider regional nuances when developing pandemic risk messages for children.
  • Tailored communication strategies are essential to address children's diverse concerns and knowledge levels effectively.

Keywords:
childrencrisis communicationglobal healthhealth informationrisk communication

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