Effect of exposure to COVID‐19 infodemic on infection‐preventive intentions among Korean adults

AIM: This study determined the effect of exposure to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) infodemic on infection‐preventive intentions among Korean adults. DESIGN: This was a cross‐sectional study that used structural equation model. METHODS: Data were collected between 14 April–7 July 2020 from 300 adults in their 20s to 60s residing in South Korea. Analysis was performed using SPSS 20.0 and AMOS 20.0. RESULTS: Exposure to COVID‐19 infodemic had a direct effect on the reduction of COVID‐19‐related knowledge and personal preventive health intentions. COVID‐19‐related knowledge had a direct impact on increased perceived severity, perceived vulnerability, perceived self‐efficacy, and personal preventive health intentions. Perceived severity, perceived vulnerability, and perceived self‐efficacy had a direct effect on increasing preventive intentions for personal health; and perceived severity had a direct effect on preventive intentions for public health.