ERIC Number: EJ1297393
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2021-Jul
Pages: 9
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0022-4391
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
COVID-19 Knowledge and Behavior Change among High School Students in Semi-Rural Georgia
Campbell, Katherine; Weingart, Rachel; Ashta, Jasleen; Cronin, Thomas; Gazmararian, Julie
Journal of School Health, v91 n7 p526-534 Jul 2021
Background: Many schools transitioned online to reduce viral spread and promote social distancing amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Remote learning may impact health behaviors and coping strategies among adolescents, including reduced physical activity and increased screen time. Social media and peers provide information about the pandemic to adolescents and may influence prevention behaviors. This study aims to assess adolescent knowledge and information about COVID-19, determine students' behavior change, and identify sources students turn to for information on the pandemic. Methods: Students from 2 high schools in semi-rural Georgia participated in a cross-sectional online survey in March 2020 (N = 761). Results: Common sources for COVID-19 news were peers (80%) and social media (58%). Few adolescents (3%) indicated that teenagers were at higher risk of severe illness due to COVID-19. Responses reveal adolescents understand social distancing and many are participating in prevention behaviors, including handwashing (87%) and staying at home as much as possible (87%). Most respondents reported increases in screen time outside of class (82%). Conclusions: Findings suggest adolescents are obtaining COVID-19 knowledge from various sources, including social media, with varying degrees of implementation of prevention practices. Increases in screen time and reduced physical activity may impact long-term health among adolescents.
Descriptors: COVID-19, Pandemics, Online Courses, School Closing, Disease Control, Adolescents, High School Students, Behavior Change, Student Behavior, Information Sources, Knowledge Level, Rural Areas, Health Behavior, Computer Use
Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www-wiley-com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-us
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: High Schools; Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Georgia
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A