Understanding COVID-19 Testing Knowledge and Practices Among 2-1-1 Helpline Callers

Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics Underserved Populations Supplement: Understanding COVID-19 Testing Knowledge and Practices Among 2-1-1 Helpline Callers

The purpose of this study is to identify promising health education strategies and culturally appropriate messages for use by 2-1-1 practitioners to promote coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID) testing behaviors. Previous study findings and evidence-based health communication and education tactics were integrated to create an interactive learning module that includes four narrative scenarios, illustrations, and accompanying questions and responses that inform the audience about COVID testing guidelines. The study will test the effectiveness of the interactive learning module with 2-1-1 callers (n=300) in Connecticut, North Carolina, and Nebraska. Participants' contact information will be shared with us by 2-1-1 with the participants' given consent. The study team will send the potential participant via text message a link to a survey that includes a screen where they will provide informed consent. Those who provide consent will be randomly assigned to receive one of two surveys. The inclusion of the interactive learning module is what varies across the surveys. An experimental group will receive the learning module with a study team-developed pre- and post-survey, and the control group will receive only the study team-developed pre- and post-survey. The post-survey contains questions regarding information covered in the interactive learning module. It is hypothesized that those who complete the interactive learning module in the experimental group will score better on the post-survey questions when compared to the control group. All participants, regardless of experimental or control condition, will receive an information sheet with the most up-to-date scientific guidelines for COVID testing.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Individuals who called 211 in Connecticut, Nebraska, or North Carolina on behalf of themselves or their families
• Must be 18 or older
• Must have English language proficiency
• Must be willing to be contacted via text messages or email

Exclusion Criteria:

• N/A