Adding COVID to cancer: does cancer status influence COVID-19 infection preventive behaviors?

Introduction: A better understanding of how to promote disease mitigation and prevention behaviors among vulnerable populations, such as cancer survivors, is needed. This study aimed to determine patterns of and factors associated with COVID-19-related preventive behaviors among cancer survivors and assess whether the COVID-19 preventive behaviors of cancer survivors differ from the general population. Methods: In June 2020, an online survey of adults (N = 897) assessed predictors of COVID-19-related preventive behaviors, including socio-demographics, COVID-19 beliefs and perceptions (Health Belief Model [HBM] variables), and cancer statuses (cancer survivors currently in treatment, cancer survivors not currently in treatment, and individuals with no history of cancer). An average score of respondent engagement in eight preventive behaviors was calculated. Differences in HBM variables and preventive behaviors by cancer status were assessed using ANCOVAs. Hierarchical multiple regression analyzed associations among socio-demographics, HBM constructs, cancer statuses, and engagement in COVID-19 preventive behaviors. Results: Participants reported engaging in 3.5 (SD = 0.6) preventive behaviors. Cancer survivors not in treatment engaged in preventive behaviors significantly less than the comparison group. In the final adjusted model, after adding COVID-19 beliefs and perceptions, cancer status was no longer significant. All HBM constructs except perceived susceptibility were significant predictors of preventive behaviors. Conclusions: COVID-19 beliefs and perceptions were more robust predictors preventive behaviors than cancer status. Nonetheless, public health organizations and practitioners should communicate the risk and severity of infection among cancer survivors and emphasize the need to engage in protective behaviors for COVID-19 and other infectious diseases with this vulnerable population.

Pandemic coping and COVID-19 preventive behaviors among cancer survivors.

BACKGROUND: Cancer survivors are at greater risk for COVID-19 complications, emphasizing the importance of adherence to COVID-19 prevention. Active coping mechanisms can help manage pandemic stress but disengaged coping practices can have adverse effects. OBJECTIVES: 1) Identify differences in COVID-19 coping styles and COVID-19 preventive behaviors among cancer survivors in active treatment, survivors not in treatment, and a comparison group without a cancer history. 2) Exploring variables that may predict adherence to COVID-19 preventative behaviors. PATIENT INVOLVEMENT & METHODS: This study used an online survey among two categories of cancer survivors - one group in active treatment and one group no longer in treatment - and one group without a cancer history (N = 897 total). RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Cancer survivors in treatment were more likely to utilize both active and disengaged coping (p < .001). This could indicate that the additional COVID-19 strain is making survivors more likely to engage in coping in any way possible. Cancer survivors not in treatment were less likely to report intent to carry out COVID- 19 preventative behaviors compared to the comparison group (p = .009). Providers should understand how survivors may use both coping mechanism types because these coping strategies predict both depression and adherence to COVID-19 preventive behaviors.

Endorsement of COVID-19 related misinformation among cancer survivors.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether cancer survivors currently in treatment are more or less likely to endorse COVID-19 related misinformation compared to their counterparts no longer in treatment and those without a cancer history. METHODS: We conducted a Qualtrics survey among 897 adults to determine differences in endorsement of COVID-19 misinformation among cancer survivors in active treatment, cancer survivors no longer in treatment, and a control group with no cancer history. RESULTS: Cancer survivors currently undergoing treatment were more likely to believe misinformation related to COVID-19 than those without a cancer history. Least likely to endorse COVID-19 misinformation were cancer survivor no longer in treatment. CONCLUSION: These results alert healthcare professionals to overall high levels of endorsement of COVID-19 misinformation among cancer survivors on active treatment. Oncologists and other providers working with patients undergoing treatment for cancer should be particularly mindful of the potential elevated beliefs in misinformation among this group. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Since patients undergoing cancer treatment seem to be particularly vulnerable to COVID-19 misinformation, oncologists and other healthcare providers working with this patient population should help address patients' concerns about the pandemic and how it relates to their course of treatment.

COVID-19-Related Misinformation among Parents of Patients with Pediatric Cancer.

We conducted a survey among 735 parents to determine differences in endorsement of misinformation related to the coronavirus disease pandemic between parents of children in cancer treatment and those with children who had no cancer history. Parents of children with cancer were more likely to believe misinformation than parents of children without cancer.

Increasing Screening for Intimate Partner Violence and Reproductive Coercion: Understanding Provider Motivations.

Current estimates indicate that as few as 2% of health providers may be universally screening patients or clients for intimate partner violence and reproductive coercion. Barriers to screening have been well-described in the literature; however, little attention has been paid to the factors that motivate providers to carry out screenings. This study explored data from a sample of providers who had received specific screening and intervention training to ascertain what factors motivated them to complete screenings in practice. Patient-related, provider-related, and work setting factors were identified. Findings may support improved provider training and, ultimately, screening rates.

HPV Vaccine Searches on Pinterest: Before and After Pinterest's Actions to Moderate Content.

Objectives. To compare how human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination was portrayed on Pinterest before and after the platform acted to moderate vaccine-related search results to understand (1) what the information environment looked like previously and (2) whether Pinterest's policy decisions improved this environment in terms of sources and content.Methods. In this quantitative content analysis, we compared 2 samples of 500 HPV vaccine-focused Pinterest posts ("pins") collected before and after Pinterest's actions to provide more reliable vaccine-related information. Pins were based on search results and were analyzed using the Health Belief Model.Results. The majority of preaction search results leaned toward vaccine skepticism, specifically focused on perceived vaccine barriers. Few pins were published by public health-related Pinterest accounts. Postaction search results showed a significant shift to HPV vaccination benefits, and the number of pins by government or medical accounts increased. However, the proportion of pins in search results containing HPV content of any type was significantly lower.Conclusions. Pinterest's efforts to moderate vaccination discussions were largely successful. However, the ban also appeared to limit HPV vaccination search results overall, which may contribute to confusion or an information vacuum.

Communication strategies to reduce cancer disparities: Insights from African-American mother-daughter dyads.

INTRODUCTION: Mothers and daughters share a powerful and unique bond, which has potential for the dissemination of information on a variety of women's health issues, including the primary and secondary prevention of breast and cervical cancer. This study presents formative research from a long-term project examining the potential of mother-daughter communication in promoting cancer screening among African American women. METHOD: Thirty-two mother-daughter pairs (N = 64) completed orally administered surveys regarding their cancer knowledge, beliefs and attitudes, and barriers to care. This study compares the attitudes and beliefs of low-income, urban, African American mothers and their adolescent daughters regarding cervical and breast cancer screening. RESULTS: Both mothers and daughters had fairly high levels of knowledge about breast and cervical cancer. In addition, there was a high concordance rate between mothers' and daughters' responses, suggesting a potential sharing of health knowledge between mother and daughter. DISCUSSION: These results have implications for selecting communication strategies to reduce health disparities, and support that the mother-daughter dyad could be a viable unit to disseminate targeted screening information. (PsycINFO Database Record

Screening and intervening: evaluating a training program on intimate partner violence and reproductive coercion for family planning and home visiting providers.

Project Connect training aims to reduce barriers to screening for and intervening with women with histories of intimate partner violence and reproductive coercion. This study sought to assess the effectiveness of trainings, provider facility with Project Connect tools, and areas for improvement in a pilot state. Results indicated that providers found training useful, and those in supervisory roles particularly appreciated the universal tools and skill set given to participants. Providing these tools supports the provision of trauma-informed care. Areas for improvement included increased emphasis on initiating screening, enhancing training for different types of providers, and developing follow-up training.