Obtaining healthcare news during the COVID-19 pandemic: Does age influence source selection in gynecology patients?

Albrecht, E.; Hernandez Perez, A.; Weber LeBrun, E. E.; Heft, J. S.; Perez, A. H.; LeBrun, E. E. W.

Objectives: To describe the association, within a gynecologic surgery population, between a patient’s age and their main source of healthcare news during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as compliance with preventative guidelines as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional survey conducted via telephone of gynecologic surgery patients whose scheduled procedures were postponed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Subjects were placed into two groups based on age - those 60 and above and those less than 60. Patients were questioned regarding their demographics, behavioral practices, and their primary news source related to the pandemic. Traditional news sources were defined as TV, radio, or newspaper. Modern news sources included any form of social media. Results: Of the 115 subjects eligible for this study, 49 agreed to participate (42.6%). Of these, 27 (55%) were age 60 and above and 22 were under the age of 60 (45%). In the older group, all subjects reported using traditional media while only eight subjects (30%) also reported obtaining healthcare information from modern news sources. In the younger group, 16 subjects (73%) reported using traditional media while 14 (63%) simultaneously reported using modern media. When comparing the groups, there was no statistically significant difference in utilization of traditional news sources by age, however, the older group was much less likely to receive their information from modern media (P < 0.001). Regarding preventative measures, women over the age of 60 were more likely to quarantine than the younger group (OR = 2.35). Conversely, women under 60 were more likely to wear a mask (OR = 3.6), hand wash (OR = 2.36), and social distance (OR = 1.88). Conclusion: All subjects were likely to use traditional media while only those in the younger group were more likely to also utilize modern media and practice most preventative behaviors.