Knowledge, attitudes, and practices [KAP] toward COVID-19: A cross-sectional study in the New York Metropolitan Area and California Bay Area

OBJECTIVE: The 2019 novel coronavirus [COVID-19] pandemic has necessitated the implementation of public health initiatives [PHI] to slow viral spread. We evaluated the effectiveness of PHI through a survey of COVID-19 knowledge, attitudes and practices [KAP]. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted primarily during stay-at-home orders in New York and San Francisco. A volunteer sample of 675 U.S. participants completed a KAP questionnaire after electronic distribution. RESULTS: Participants had good knowledge and practices, but poor attitudes. Predictors of higher knowledge scores included white ethnicity, non-essential worker status, and healthcare worker status. Correlates with positive attitude included male gender, residence in California, higher annual income, and not utilizing radio or social media. Higher practice scores were predicted by female gender, non-essential and healthcare worker status, and information source. CONCLUSIONS: Differences in KAP were found among demographic variables. Determining what factors and sources of information drive reception of public health information can guide targeted intervention and advance equitable health education.