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Factors Influencing Risk for COVID-19 Exposure Among Young Adults Aged 18–23 Years — Winnebago County, Wisconsin, March–July 2020
Weekly / October 16, 2020 / 69(41);1497–1502
On October 9, 2020, this report was posted online as an MMWR Early Release.
Rebecca F. Wilson, PhD1; Andrea J. Sharma, PhD1; Sarahjean Schluechtermann, MPH2; Dustin W. Currie, PhD1,3; Joan Mangan, PhD1; Brian Kaplan, MS, MA1; Kimberly Goffard, MBA2; Julia Salomon, MS2; Sue Casteel, MS1; Ashley Mukasa2; Niki Euhardy, MPH2; Andrew Ruiz, MSPH1; Gregory Bautista, MPH1; Erika Bailey4; Ryan Westergaard, MD, PhD4; Douglas Gieryn2 (View author affiliations)
View suggested citationSummary
What is already known about this topic?
Young adults represent an increasingly large proportion of U.S. COVID-19 cases.
What is added by this report?
In Winnebago County, Wisconsin, perceived low severity of disease outcome; perceived responsibility to others; peer pressure; and exposure to misinformation, conflicting messages, or opposing views regarding masks were identified as drivers of behaviors that might influence risk for COVID-19 exposure among young adults.
What are the implications for public health practice?
Identifying factors that influence risk for COVID-19 exposure and framing messaging to target those factors could help persuade young adults to adhere to public health guidelines that prevent the spread of COVID-19. Providing clear and consistent messages regarding the need for and effectiveness of masks could help increase widespread adoption of evidence-based guidance.
On May 13, 2020, the Wisconsin Supreme Court declared the state’s Safer at Home Emergency Order (https://evers.wi.gov/Documents/COVID19/EMO28-SaferAtHome.pdf) “unlawful, invalid, and unenforceable,”* thereby increasing opportunities for social and business interactions. By mid-June, Winnebago County,† Wisconsin experienced an increase in the number of infections with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), with the largest increase among persons aged 18–23 years (young adults) (1). This age group§ accounts for 12.5% of the population in the county. To identify factors that influence exposure to COVID-19 among young adults in Winnebago County, characteristics of COVID-19 cases and drivers of behaviors in this age group were examined. During March 1–July 18, 2020, 240 young adults received positive SARS-CoV-2 test results, accounting for 32% of all Winnebago County cases. In 30 key informant interviews, most interviewees reported exposure to misinformation, conflicting messages, or opposing views about the need for and effectiveness of masks. Thirteen young adults described social or peer pressure to not wear a mask and perceived severity of disease outcome for themselves as low but high for loved ones at risk. Having low perceived severity of disease outcome might partly explain why, when not in physical contact with loved ones at risk, young adults might attend social gatherings or not wear a mask (2). Exposure to misinformation and unclear messages has been identified as a driver of behavior during an outbreak (3,4), underscoring the importance of providing clear and consistent messages about the need for and effectiveness of masks. In addition, framing communication messages that amplify young adults’ responsibility to protect others and target perceived social or peer pressure to not adhere to public health guidance might persuade young adults to adhere to public health guidelines that prevent the spread of COVID-19.
SARS-CoV-2 spreads easily through person-to-person contact; certain behavioral factors (e.g., wearing masks, social distancing, and avoiding large gatherings) are effective in preventing COVID-19.¶ Young adults represent an increasingly large proportion of U.S. COVID-19 cases (5). A recent survey found that persons aged 18–24 years reported lower agreement with and adherence to public health guidance (e.g., wearing masks) compared with those aged ≥25 years (2). Identifying factors (e.g., perceived severity of disease outcome) that influence risk for exposure to COVID-19 and framing communication messages to target those factors might persuade young adults to engage in behaviors that are effective in preventing the spread of COVID-19 (6,7).
This study used a quantitative and qualitative approach to identify drivers of behavior that influence risk for exposure to COVID-19 among young adults. Characteristics (e.g., social gathering attendance, occupation, and age) of young adults with COVID-19 during March 1–July 18, 2020, and within Winnebago County, were obtained from Wisconsin’s Electronic Disease Surveillance System.** In addition, key informant interviews were conducted during July 9–22 with 30 persons, including 13 young adults, nine owners of business establishments employing and frequented by young adults (e.g., restaurants and bars), and eight community leaders†† (persons in various leadership roles) within Winnebago County using semistructured interview guides. Interviews did not knowingly include anyone who had received positive SARS-CoV-2 test results before the interview. Interview guides included questions to assess various factors (e.g., attitudes and perceptions).§§ Participants were recruited using snowball sampling, a method whereby enrolled participants refer other potential participants (8). Local health officials provided initial participant referrals. In-person interviews, lasting 30–75 minutes, were digitally recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using NVivo software (version 12; QSR International).¶¶ Analysis involved summarizing patterns of information shared by participants regarding their subjective experiences of the pandemic. All participants consented to being interviewed and received a gift card for participating.*** Interviews were conducted until thematic saturation was achieved and no new themes emerged.†††
By mid-June, after the Safer at Home Emergency Order was invalidated, Winnebago County experienced an increase in COVID-19 cases, with the largest increase among young adults (Figure). During March 1–July 18, 2020, young adults accounted for 240 (32%) of 757 cumulative COVID-19 cases in Winnebago County (Table 1). The majority of young adults were non-Hispanic White (72%); followed by other/unknown race/ethnicity (14%); Hispanic (7%); and non-Hispanic Black (4%). Over half were female (54%), and 72% reported being employed. Among those employed, 83% reported working outside of the home during their exposure period§§§; over half (58%) reported working outside of the home 2 days before symptom onset or positive specimen collection (i.e., during their contagious period¶¶¶). In addition, 38% reported attending a social gathering**** during their exposure period, and 84% reported clinical symptoms consistent with COVID-19.
Among the 13 young adults interviewed, nine were women, all were employed, and all were either enrolled in college or had graduated from college within the last year. Common themes that emerged during interviews as drivers of behavior were social or peer pressure, social interactions, attitudes regarding public health guidance, perceived severity of disease outcome, perceived responsibility to others, workplace COVID-19 mitigation measures, absence of countywide measures, identifying a trusted source for COVID-19 information, and exposure to misinformation, conflicting messages, or opposing views regarding masks (Table 2). In the analysis of interviews, young adults described feeling social or peer pressure to not wear a mask, reportedly receiving “negative reactions” or “odd looks” from others when wearing a mask, or feeling “weird” about wearing a mask. Young adults reported limiting social interactions; however, many reported engaging in social activities (e.g., attending a bonfire or bar) that exposed them to multiple persons. Young adults reported wearing masks when shopping, most held favorable views of public health guidance (e.g., wearing masks), and a few had negative or questioning views of masks and social distancing. Most young adults indicated they would likely be asymptomatic or have mild or flu-like symptoms if they were to receive a positive test result or “had peers who had tested positive and those peers hardly even had symptoms.” Young adults reported having loved ones at risk for severe COVID-19–associated outcomes and expressed a sense of responsibility to those loved ones and the broader community. Moreover, most young adults voiced concerns about exposure to SARS-CoV-2 within their workplaces and reported exposure to misinformation, conflicting messages, or opposing views regarding the need for or effectiveness of masks.
Among interviewed business owners (nine) and community leaders (eight), all business owners identified local health officials as trusted sources for COVID-19 information, yet a few community leaders did not. Further, many business owners and community leaders reported exposure to misinformation, conflicting messages, or opposing views regarding the need for or effectiveness of masks. Business owners indicated they had implemented some control measures (e.g., hand-hygiene stations and mask-wearing); however, many reported discontinuing mask-wearing requirements for reasons such as not wanting to offend customers or perceived competition with similar establishments. Business owners perceived the absence of a countywide mask ordinance as a barrier to reimplementing mask-wearing requirements within their establishments and some spontaneously indicated that if a mask ordinance was implemented, they would comply.
Discussion
Wisconsin’s Electronic Disease Surveillance System data indicated social interactions and workplace and community transmission likely contributed to the spread of COVID-19 among young adults in Winnebago County. Nearly three quarters (72%) of young adults with COVID-19 were employed, and over one half (58%) worked outside of the home while contagious, increasing the risk for transmitting SARS-CoV-2 to the broader community. Among young adult interviewees with jobs that entailed interaction with the public, many voiced concerns about workplace exposure, underscoring the importance of businesses implementing control measures (e.g., requiring masks) consistent with published guidance,†††† especially when physical distancing is difficult. These concerns, coupled with the fact that most business owners identified the absence of a countywide mask ordinance as a barrier to reimplementing mask-wearing requirements within their establishments, highlight the benefits that might come from implementing a countywide mask ordinance (9). Given that business owners and most community leaders trusted local health officials for COVID-19 information, businesses could collaborate with local health officials in implementing control measures tailored to their needs. Among the few community leaders who distrusted COVID-19 information shared by local health officials, that distrust appeared to stem from exposure to misinformation and conflicting messages regarding the severity of the pandemic, which in turn seemed to influence their views about the extremeness of broader community mitigation measures (e.g., the Safer at Home Order). Lack of trust can influence adherence to public health guidance.§§§§
Some young adults admitted to not wearing a mask when socializing with friends, which might indicate a sense of security when interacting with friends. Moreover, the expectation that they would likely be fine if they contracted COVID-19, coupled with social or peer pressure, might help explain transmission patterns among young adults. Although young adults perceived a low severity of disease outcome for themselves, many expressed concerns about transmitting SARS-CoV-2 to loved ones at risk and to the broader community. Having a sense of responsibility to others might explain why young adults reported wearing masks when shopping and why most held positive views of masks. However, when not in physical contact with loved ones at risk, young adults might choose to not wear a mask or to attend larger gatherings with peers who might also perceive a low severity of disease outcome for themselves. Exposure to misinformation and conflicting messages regarding masks might make it difficult to know what information to trust, underscoring the importance of providing clear and consistent messages during an outbreak (3,4). Among the few young adults who expressed negative attitudes about masks and social distancing or who had questions about the effectiveness of masks, those views appeared to be based on the expressed need to make their own choices (i.e., personal agency).
The findings in this report are subject to at least four limitations. First, interviews were conducted in Winnebago County; therefore, findings are not widely generalizable. Second, self-reported information collected in Wisconsin’s Electronic Disease Surveillance System and from interviews is subject to social desirability bias and might have led to underestimations of some characteristics and factors. Third, interviewees identified through snowball sampling might have similar characteristics; thus, this report might not capture representativeness of diverse responses. Finally, missing information in text fields could have led to underestimations of some characteristics.
Despite limitations, this report provides a framework for tailoring communication messages that are empathetic, that amplify personal responsibility and responsibility to protect others, and that focus on perceived pressure to not wear a mask, all of which might persuade young adults to adhere to public health guidelines (e.g., wearing masks) that prevent the spread of COVID-19. Masks are an effective tool to prevent the spread of COVID-19 (9), and current CDC guidance recommends universal masking to prevent SARS-CoV-2 transmission.¶¶¶¶ This report further underscores the importance of providing clear and consistent messages regarding need for and effectiveness of masks, because consistent messages could help increase widespread adoption of evidence-based guidance (3).
Acknowledgments
All interviewees; Winnebago County Public Health Department staff members; Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
Corresponding author: Douglas Gieryn, DGieryn@co.winnebago.wi.us.
1CDC COVID-19 Response Team, 2Winnebago County Public Health Department, Winnebago County, Wisconsin, 3Epidemic Intelligence Service, CDC; 4Bureau of Communicable Diseases, Division of Public Health, Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
All authors have completed and submitted the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors form for disclosure of potential conflicts of interest. No potential conflicts of interest were disclosed.
* https://www.wicourts.gov/sc/opinion/DisplayDocument.pdf?content=pdf&seqNo=260868.
† The COVID-19 data provided in this report are specific to the Winnebago County Health Department (WCHD) jurisdiction. Data for the portions of the City of Menasha or City of Appleton that fall within Winnebago County are not included. Data provided on the Wisconsin Department of Health Services website might be different than the information provided by WCHD because the state reports data for the entire county, which includes those portions of Menasha and Appleton.
§ Percentage of population includes persons aged 18–24 years in Winnebago County, Wisconsin, and were obtained using the U.S. Census 2018 American Community Survey data. Population data for young adults aged 18–23 years were not available for this report. https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g = 0500000US55139.060000&y = 2018&d = ACS%205-Year%20Estimates%20Detailed%20Tables&tid = ACSDT5Y2018.B01001.
¶ https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/how-covid-spreads.html.
** In Wisconsin’s Electronic Disease Surveillance System, information for occupation and social gathering is systematically collected in various formats (e.g., text field and drop-down menu options); thus, abstraction of free text fields was completed to enhance data completeness and accuracy of these variables.
†† Community leaders were interviewed to gain an understanding of broader concerns related to COVID-19 and its impact within the community, but because of their diverse roles within the community, results from those interviews were not analyzed for themes but presented as salient concerns raised by community leaders. Thus, NVivo software was not used to analyze interviews for community leaders. Broader concerns expressed by community leaders that paralleled those of business owners and young adults were presented along with themes that emerged from interviews with business owners and or young adults.
§§ The interview guide for young adults included a range of questions and were abbreviated for this report to include questions regarding social interactions with peers, adherence to and attitudes about public health guidance, perceived severity of disease outcome, perceived responsibility to others, and social or peer pressure. The interview guide for business owners included a range of questions and were abbreviated for this report to include questions regarding trusted sources of COVID-19 information, main concerns regarding the pandemic, and barriers to implementing public health guidance within their establishments. The interview guide for community leaders included questions regarding participants’ appraisal of the pandemic, main concerns regarding the pandemic, and trusted sources of COVID-19 information.
¶¶ https://www.qsrinternational.com/nvivo-qualitative-data-analysis-software/home.
*** Providing incentives to participants have been found to increase participation in studies (https://link.springer.com/article/10.1023/A:1025023600517). Thus, in this study, a gift card in the sum of $25 was provided to participants, and the amount was based on the need to balance motivating interviewees to participate without offering a coercive sum (i.e., a sum that a low-income individual would find difficult to refuse). Two interviewees declined the offer of a gift card.
††† Thematic saturation, which is often used to determine sample size in qualitative data collection (e.g., key informant interviews), is achieved when no new information or salient themes arise from data collection. Probing, in-depth responses provided by interviewees, and the number of salient issues being discussed are some factors that influence when thematic saturation is reached. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6010234/.
§§§ Exposure period is defined as the 14 days preceding symptom onset or receiving positive test results.
¶¶¶ Contagious period is defined as working outside of the home the 2 days before symptom onset or positive specimen collection. Information for worked during contagious period was determined by examining information contained in the Facility Intervention section and the date of onset of symptoms, which are both systematically collected in Wisconsin’s Electronic Disease Surveillance System. Abstraction of free text fields was completed to enhance data completeness and accuracy of data collected on patients reporting working outside of the home in the 2 days before symptom onset or positive specimen collection contagious period.
**** Social gathering refers to the COVID-19 patient reporting attending a gathering, party, or meeting with people from outside of their household in the 14 days before symptom onset or receiving positive test results. Wisconsin’s Electronic Disease Surveillance System does not provide a minimum number of participants to qualify as a social gathering.
§§§§ https://www.cdc.gov/eis/field-epi-manual/chapters/Communicating-Investigation.html.
¶¶¶¶ https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2020/p0714-americans-to-wear-masks.html.
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FIGURE. Cumulative number of confirmed COVID-19 cases, by age group (N = 757) — Winnebago County, Wisconsin, March 1–July 18, 2020
Abbreviation: COVID-19 = coronavirus disease 2019.
Abbreviation: COVID-19 = coronavirus disease 2019.
* COVID-19 cases in this report are specific to the Winnebago County Health Department jurisdiction and do not include COVID-19 cases that fall within the City of Menasha Health Department jurisdiction and the City of Appleton Health Department jurisdictions.
† Percentages might not sum to 100% because of rounding.
§ Five young adults reported employment at more than one employer but were counted only once under restaurant/bar (two) or health care (three). Young adults who reported their employment status as employed and student are counted under employed. Young adults who reported their occupation as student and did not include any additional information about occupation type are counted under unemployed.
¶ Social gathering refers to the COVID-19 patient reporting attending a gathering, party, or meeting with people from outside of their household in the 14 days before symptom onset or receiving positive test results. Wisconsin’s Electronic Disease Surveillance System does not provide a minimum number of participants to qualify as a social gathering.
**Characteristic is not mutually exclusive.
†† Domestic travel is categorized as a social gathering if the COVID-19 patient reported making a journey, out of town, to attend a gathering, party, or meeting with people from outside of their household in the 14 days before symptom onset or receiving positive test results.
§§ Unknown location reflects COVID-19 positive patients who reported attending a social gathering in the 14 days before symptom onset or receiving positive test results but did not report the location of the social gathering.
Abbreviation: COVID-19 = coronavirus disease 2019.
* Business owners are owners of establishments employing and frequented by young adults (e.g., restaurants and bars).
† Community leaders were interviewed to gain an understanding of broader concerns related to COVID-19 and its impact within the community, but because of their diverse roles within the community, results from those interviews were not analyzed for themes but presented as salient concerns raised by community leaders.
§ Exposure to misinformation, conflicting messages, or opposing views regarding public health guidance was reported within all interviewee groups. To facilitate interpretation and analysis of this theme, these three salient issues were reported under one theme because of their similarities.
Suggested citation for this article: Wilson RF, Sharma AJ, Schluechtermann S, et al. Factors Influencing Risk for COVID-19 Exposure Among Young Adults Aged 18–23 Years — Winnebago County, Wisconsin, March–July 2020. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2020;69:1497–1502. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6941e2.
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