Effect of exposure to COVID-19 infodemic on infection-preventive intentions among Korean adults.

Aim: This study determined the effect of exposure to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infodemic on infection-preventive intentions among Korean adults.

Design: This was a cross-sectional study that used structural equation model.

Methods: Data were collected between 14 April-7 July 2020 from 300 adults in their 20s to 60s residing in South Korea. Analysis was performed using SPSS 20.0 and AMOS 20.0.

Results: Exposure to COVID-19 infodemic had a direct effect on the reduction of COVID-19-related knowledge and personal preventive health intentions. COVID-19-related knowledge had a direct impact on increased perceived severity, perceived vulnerability, perceived self-efficacy, and personal preventive health intentions. Perceived severity, perceived vulnerability, and perceived self-efficacy had a direct effect on increasing preventive intentions for personal health; and perceived severity had a direct effect on preventive intentions for public health.