Behaviors and Advocacy Related to COVID-19 among Cancer Patients: The Health Belief Model and Opportunities for Messaging and Education

Cancer patients have an increased risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes and were recommended to be vaccinated, wear a mask, practice social distancing, and increase hand hygiene. We used the Health Belief Model (HBM) to identify constructs that were associated with the likelihood of adhering to and advocating for CDC COVID-19 prevention recommendations. We surveyed adult cancer patients who had an onsite appointment at the Penn State Cancer Institute or at the Hematology and Oncology Associates of Northeastern Pennsylvania. Survey measures included adherence to and informing others of COVID-19 recommendations as well as HBM constructs. Relationships between HBM constructs and outcomes were assessed with Spearman’s correlation and multivariable ordinal logistic regression. Of the 106 participants who completed the survey for our objectives of interest, 76% always wore a mask, 29% always practiced social distancing, and 24% washed their hands at least 10 times a day. Limited advocacy behaviors were captured for the COVID-19 vaccine (30%), social distancing (36%), and wearing masks (27%). Perceived benefits, perceived barriers, and cues-to-action were positively associated with the likelihood of adherence or advocacy of COVID-19 recommendations among cancer patients, whereas perceived susceptibility and self-efficacy were negatively associated with the likelihood of adherence or advocacy of COVID-19 recommendations among cancer patients. Perceived benefits may be the strongest predictor for adherence and advocacy for specific COVID-19 guidelines. Future messaging and educational campaigns focused on improving adherence to or advocacy of specific health behaviors should be informed by the HBM and originate from multiple outlets.