Knowledge and behaviors toward COVID-19 among U.S. residents during the early days of the pandemic

John M. Clements

Sample characteristics were generated using frequency analysis and other descriptive statistics as appropriate (Table 1) . Knowledge scores were compared using independent sample t-test for differences in mean score between males and females, as well as groups based on whether people had engaged in hoarding activity or not, had attended large gatherings or not, and had worn masks or not. In addition, independent sample t-tests were used to determine differences in mean age between people who had engaged in these activities or not. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to determine differences in mean knowledge scores among groups based on education, race, income, political party, and generational age groups (i.e. Baby Boomers, Gen X, etc.) ( Table 2 ). Multivariable linear regression was used to determine which demographic characteristics influence knowledge scores, while binomial logistic regression was used to determine which characteristics influence participation in hoarding behavior, attending large group events, and using masks ( Table 3 ). All analyses were conducted using SPSS (v.25) 26 .