Use of the socio-ecological model to explore trusted sources of COVID-19 information in Black and Latinx communities in Michigan

ABSTRACT

Background

Identifying trusted sources of health information and exploring what makes these sources trustworthy is an important aspect of public health. This exploration requires embracing the cultural differences in minoritized communities, which are often treated as homogeneous. This qualitative study identifies and analyze the sources of trusted COVID-19 information among Black and Latinx communities in Michigan and assesses the rationale underlying this trust.

Methods

Interviews were conducted with 24 Black and 16 Latinx participants (n = 40) in four Michigan counties significantly impacted by COVID-19. The socio-ecological model was applied as an analytical framework for understanding the entities considered trusted sources of information. Within each level of the model, the dimensions of trustworthiness most salient for participants were identified.

Results

We found that sources of information came from all levels of the model, including interpersonal (COVID-19 survivors, church representatives, friends, relatives), organizational (employers, healthcare providers, traditional news reports), social media (hybrid source), community (members and groups), and public policy (county health department, federal and state government). Furthermore, participants determined whether they could trust information about COVID-19 by cross-referencing multiple resources. We identified competence, confidence, communication, and system trust as the dimensions of trustworthiness most often reported by participants.

Conclusions

Our research suggests public health communications should engage in cross-referencing practices, providing information from sources at all levels of interaction, cultural competency, and awareness of historical/structural inequities. These efforts would be further strengthened by attending to needs for both factual information as well as care and personal connection.

KEYWORDS:

• Public trust
• sources of information
• COVID-19
• socio-ecological model
• qualitative methods

Acknowledgments

We express our heartfelt gratitude to the community members of the MICEAL and CIVIC Steering Committee, whose partnership has been invaluable and instrumental in making this work possible.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Ethical approval

“The Fierce Urgency of Now”: Communities Conquering Covid (C3)- A Qualitative Interview Study was reviewed, approved, and determined as Exempt by the Health Science and Behavioral Sciences IRB (IRB HSBS) of the University of Michigan (Ref. ID: HUM00190371). The Initial Date of Approval was 11/18/2020.

Authors' Contributions

Concept and design: Carmona, Platt. Acquisition of data: Platt. Analysis and interpretation of data: Carmona, Reema, Sawant, Platt. Drafting of the manuscript: Carmona, Reema, Sawant, Platt. Critical revision of the paper for important intellectual content: Woolford, Ayse, Lima, Israel, Burke, Rowe.

Data availability statement

Data applicable to this study are available from the principal investigators (Marsh, Israel) on reasonable request.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by National Institute of Nursing Research: [grant number OT2HL158287]; the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences [grant number UM1TR004404]; Michigan Institute of Clinical and Health Research (MICHR), site of the University of Michigan's Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA); the National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities and National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute [grant number OT2HL158287] for the Community Engagement Alliance (CEAL); the National Institute of Health's National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities [grant number R01MD016867]; Community-Centered Interventions for Improved Vaccine Uptake for COVID (CIVIC project).

Notes on contributors

Gloria Carmona

Gloria Carmona, MPH, is a Senior research specialist at the Department of Learning Health Sciences, University of Michigan.

Kashmira Sawant

Kashmira Sawant, is a Master of Health Informatics Student, a graduate Student Instructor at College of LSA, University of Michigan.

Reema Hamasha

Reema Hamasha, BS, is a Research Assistant in the Department of Learning Health Sciences and a Master of Health Informatics Student. University of Michigan.

Fernanda Lima Cross

Fernanda Lima Cross, PhD, is an Assistant Professor at School of Social Work. University of Michigan.

Susan J. Woolford

Susan J. Woolford, MD, MPH is an Associate Professor in the Susan B. Meister Child Health Evaluation and Research Center.

Ayse G. Buyuktur

Ayse G. Buyuktur, PhD, is a senior research area specialist at MICHR. University of Michigan.

Sarah Burke Bailey

Sarah Burke Bailey, PhD, CEO of Bridges Into the Future: Community Partner with Michigan Institute Clinical & Health Research (MICHR). University of Michigan.

Zachary Rowe

Zachary Rowe, BBA, is the Executive Director of Friends of Parkside. Detroit-Michigan.

Erica Marsh

Erica Marsh, MD, MSCI is Vice Chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. University of Michigan.

Barbara Israel

Barbara Israel, DrPH, MPH, is a professor in the Department of Health Behavior and Education, University of Michigan.

Jodyn Platt

Jodyn Platt, MPH, PhD is a researcher and associate professor in the Department of Learning Health Sciences, University of Michigan.