Covid-19 Messaging to Underserved Communities - 2nd Experiment
1 other identifier
interventional
20,460
1 country
1
Brief Summary
The aim of the study is to build off results from our first experiment (NCT04371419) , and test whether messages that acknowledge racial injustice on behalf of institutions affect the retention of knowledge and movement of beliefs and behavior with respect to Covid-19. The investigators will also test the effect of concordance of providers and whether highlighting the unequal burden of the disease has additional effects on knowledge, beliefs and behavior regarding covid-19. The sample will include African American and white adult Americans and oversample those with less than a college degree.
Trial Health
Trial Health Score
Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach
participants targeted
Target at P75+ for not_applicable covid19
Started Aug 2020
Shorter than P25 for not_applicable covid19
1 active site
Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.
Trial Relationships
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Study Timeline
Key milestones and dates
First Submitted
Initial submission to the registry
August 2, 2020
CompletedFirst Posted
Study publicly available on registry
August 6, 2020
CompletedStudy Start
First participant enrolled
August 7, 2020
CompletedPrimary Completion
Last participant's last visit for primary outcome
September 6, 2020
CompletedStudy Completion
Last participant's last visit for all outcomes
September 6, 2020
CompletedResults Posted
Study results publicly available
July 27, 2021
CompletedJuly 27, 2021
July 1, 2021
1 month
August 2, 2020
May 28, 2021
July 24, 2021
Conditions
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcomes (10)
Incidence Rate for Knowledge Gaps: Control vs. Any Intervention
Participants were asked to identify ways to prevent COVID-19 spread and identify four common symptoms. The incidence rate for knowledge gaps is the count of knowledge gaps divided by the maximum possible count: 10.
The outcome was measured immediately following the intervention in the baseline survey.
Incidence Rate for Knowledge Gaps: Control vs. Any Intervention - Follow up
Participants were asked to identify ways to prevent COVID-19 spread and identify four common symptoms. Incidence rate for knowledge gaps is the count of knowledge gaps divided by the maximum possible count: 10.
The outcome was measured at a follow-up within 2 weeks following the intervention
Incidence Rate for Information-seeking Behavior: Control vs. Any Intervention
Participants were offered the option of requesting additional information on COVID-19 related resources by clicking on up to five links that included more content. We measured "information seeking behavior" as the number of links for which participants expressed interest, a count variable between 0 (lowest information seeking behavior) and 5 (greatest information seeking behavior). Incidence rate for interest in links is the count of links demanded divided by the maximum possible count: 5.
The outcome was measured immediately following the intervention in the baseline survey.
Incidence Rate - Safety Gap Score: Control vs. Any Intervention
Participants were asked about how often they engaged in four behaviors of interest: if they wore a mask indoors/outdoors; if they washed their hands; if they followed social distancing guidelines. The safety gap index takes values of 0 (if a participant reported that they always practiced the four behaviors of interest) up to 4 (none). Incidence rate for safety gaps is the count of safety gaps divided by the maximum possible count: 4.
The outcome was measured at a follow-up within 2 weeks following the intervention.
Willingness to Pay (WTP) for Masks: Control vs. Any Intervention
WTP: the participants will be asked to choose between two masks vs an unrestricted gift card. They will be asked what amount of gift card would make them just as happy to receive two mask versus the gift card.
The outcome was measured immediately following the intervention in the baseline survey.
Incidence Rate Ratio (IRR) - Knowledge Gap
Participants were asked to identify ways to prevent COVID-19 spread and identify four common symptoms. The incidence rate for knowledge gaps is the count of knowledge gaps divided by the maximum possible count: 10. The incidence rate ratio compares the incidence rate of participants in Arm A vs. Arm B within the intervention group (i.e. those who received covid-19-related videos), within in the control group (i.e. those who saw placebo videos), or across the intervention and control group. Arms A and B are described in each Arm/Group Title. The overall number of participants analyzed is all equal across 6 arms/groups because the outcome measure data presented below came from a single negative binomial regression.
The outcome was measured immediately following the intervention in the baseline survey.
Incidence Rate Ratio (IRR) - Knowledge Gap - Follow up
Participants were asked to identify ways to prevent COVID-19 spread and identify four common symptoms. The incidence rate for knowledge gaps is the count of knowledge gaps divided by the maximum possible count: 10. The incidence rate ratio compares the incidence rate of participants in Arm A vs. Arm B within the intervention group (i.e. those who received covid-19-related videos), within in the control group (i.e. those who saw placebo videos), or across the intervention and control group. Arms A and B are described in each Arm/Group Title. The overall number of participants analyzed is all equal across 6 arms/groups because the outcome measure data presented below came from a single negative binomial regression.
The outcome was measured at a follow-up within 2 weeks following the intervention
Incidence Rate Ratio (IRR) - Information-seeking Behavior
Participants were offered the option of requesting additional information on COVID-19 related resources by clicking on up to 5 links that included more content. We measured "information seeking behavior" as the number of links for which participants expressed interest, a count variable between 0 (lowest information seeking behavior) and 5 (greatest information seeking behavior). Incidence rate for interest in links is the count of links demanded divided by the maximum possible count: 5. The incidence rate ratio compares the incidence rate of participants in Arm A vs. Arm B within the intervention group (i.e. those who received covid-19-related videos), within in the control group (i.e. those who saw placebo videos), or across the intervention and control group. Arms A and B are described in each Arm/Group Title. The overall number of participants analyzed is all equal across 6 arms/groups because the outcome measure data presented below came from a single negative binomial regression.
The outcome was measured immediately following the intervention in the baseline survey.
Incidence Rate Ratio (IRR) - Safety Gap Score
Participants were asked about how often they engaged in four behaviors of interest: if they wore a mask indoors/outdoors; if they washed their hands; if they followed social distancing guidelines. The safety gap index takes values of 0 (if a participant reported that they always practiced the four behaviors of interest) up to 4 (none). Incidence rate for safety gaps is the count of safety gaps divided by the maximum possible count: 4. The incidence rate ratio compares the incidence rate of participants in Arm A vs. Arm B within the intervention group (i.e. those who received covid-19-related videos), within in the control group (i.e. those who saw placebo videos), or across the intervention and control group. Arms A and B are described in each Arm/Group Title. The overall number of participants analyzed is all equal across 6 arms/groups because the outcome measure data presented below came from a single negative binomial regression.
The outcome was measured at a follow-up within 2 weeks following the intervention.
OLS Regression Coefficients - Willingness to Pay (WTP) for Masks
WTP: the participants will be asked to choose between two masks vs an unrestricted gift card. They will be asked what amount of gift card would make them just as happy to receive two mask versus the gift card. The regression coefficients compares the incidence rate of participants in Arm A vs. Arm B within the intervention group (i.e. those who received covid-19-related videos), within in the control group (i.e. those who saw placebo videos), or across the intervention and control group. Arms A and B are described in each Arm/Group Title. The overall number of participants analyzed is all equal across 6 arms/groups because the outcome measure data presented below came from a single ordinary least squares (OLS) regression for WTP masks).
The outcome was measured immediately following the intervention in the baseline survey.
Study Arms (12)
AMA RI - B- B - R
EXPERIMENTALRespondents will be randomized to an AMA statement acknowledging racial injustice read by an African American individual. The messenger / doctor in the follow-up AMA videos will also be African American - the message on Covid-19 will include information on the disproportionate impact on communities of color.
AMA RI - B - B - N
EXPERIMENTALRespondents will be randomized to an AMA statement acknowledging racial injustice read by an African American individual. The messenger / doctor in the follow-up AMA videos will also be African American - the message on Covid-19 will not include information on the disproportionate impact on communities of color.
AMA RI - W - W - R
EXPERIMENTALRespondents will be randomized to an AMA statement acknowledging racial injustice read by a white individual. The messenger / doctor in the follow-up AMA videos will be white - the message on Covid-19 will include information on the disproportionate impact on communities of color.
AMA RI - W - W - N
EXPERIMENTALRespondents will be randomized to an AMA statement acknowledging racial injustice read by a white individual. The messenger / doctor in the follow-up AMA videos will be white - the message on Covid-19 will not include information on the disproportionate impact on communities of color.
AMA DP - B- B - R
EXPERIMENTALRespondents will be randomized to an AMA statement acknowledging drug pricing read by an African American individual. The messenger / doctor in the follow-up AMA videos will also be African American - the message on Covid-19 will include information on the disproportionate impact on communities of color .
AMA DP - B- B - N
EXPERIMENTALRespondents will be randomized to an AMA statement acknowledging drug pricing read by an African American individual. The messenger / doctor in the follow-up AMA videos will also be African American - the message on Covid-19 will not include information on the disproportionate impact on communities of color.
AMA DP - W- W - R
EXPERIMENTALRespondents will be randomized to an AMA statement acknowledging drug pricing read by a white individual. The messenger / doctor in the follow-up AMA videos will be white - the message on Covid-19 will include information on the disproportionate impact on communities of color.
AMA DP - W- W - N
EXPERIMENTALRespondents will be randomized to an AMA statement acknowledging drug pricing read by a white individual. The messenger / doctor in the follow-up AMA videos will be white - the message on Covid-19 will not include information on the disproportionate impact on communities of color.
Control: AMA RI - B - B
PLACEBO COMPARATORRespondents will be randomized to an AMA statement acknowledging racial injustice read by an African American individual. The messenger / doctor in the follow-up AMA videos will also be African American - No message on Covid-19 will be shown. Acknowledgement Racial Injustice AMA: Investigators will examine whether acknowledgements of racial inequality are helpful towards improving knowledge retention and behaviors associated with the intervention among participants. In this arm, participants will receive a AMA statement on racial injustice. African American Sender Acknowledgement: Investigators will also vary the messenger of the acknowledgement sender. In this arm participants receive a African American sender in acknowledgment of AMA
Control: AMA RI - W - W
PLACEBO COMPARATORRespondents will be randomized to an AMA statement acknowledging racial injustice read by a white individual. The messenger / doctor in the follow-up AMA videos will also be white - No message on Covid-19 will be shown. Acknowledgement Racial Injustice AMA: Investigators will examine whether acknowledgements of racial inequality are helpful towards improving knowledge retention and behaviors associated with the intervention among participants. In this arm, participants will receive a AMA statement on racial injustice. White Sender Acknowledgement: Investigators will also vary the messenger of the acknowledgement sender. In this arm participants receive a white sender in acknowledgment of AMA
Control: AMA DP - B - B
PLACEBO COMPARATORRespondents will be randomized to an AMA statement acknowledging drug pricing read by an African American individual. The messenger / doctor in the follow-up AMA videos will also be African American - No message on Covid-19 will be shown. African American Sender Acknowledgement: Investigators will also vary the messenger of the acknowledgement sender. In this arm participants receive a African American sender in acknowledgment of AMA AMA Acknowledgement Drug Pricing: Investigators will examine whether acknowledgements of racial inequality are helpful towards improving knowledge retention and behaviors associated with the intervention among participants. In this arm, participants receive AMA information on drug pricing
Control: AMA DP - W - W
PLACEBO COMPARATORRespondents will be randomized to an AMA statement acknowledging drug pricing read by a white individual. The messenger / doctor in the follow-up AMA videos will also be white - No message on Covid-19 will be shown. White Sender Acknowledgement: Investigators will also vary the messenger of the acknowledgement sender. In this arm participants receive a white sender in acknowledgment of AMA AMA Acknowledgement Drug Pricing: Investigators will examine whether acknowledgements of racial inequality are helpful towards improving knowledge retention and behaviors associated with the intervention among participants. In this arm, participants receive AMA information on drug pricing
Interventions
Investigators will examine whether acknowledgements of racial inequality are helpful towards improving knowledge retention and behaviors associated with the intervention among participants. In this arm, participants will receive a AMA statement on racial injustice.
Investigators will also vary the messenger of the acknowledgement sender. In this arm participants receive a African American sender in acknowledgment of AMA
Investigators will vary the sender of the informational covid-19 videos. In this arm, participants receive a African American sender in informational videos.
Investigators will include information on race-specific covid-19 cases and deaths in one variation in the messaging. In this arm, participants receive disproportionate race-specific Covid-19 facts
Investigators will examine whether acknowledgements of racial inequality are helpful towards improving knowledge retention and behaviors associated with the intervention among participants. In this arm, participants receive AMA information on drug pricing
Investigators will also vary the messenger of the acknowledgement sender. In this arm, participants receive a white sender in the acknowledgement
Investigators will vary the messenger of the informational covid-19 videos. In this arm, participants receive white sender in the informational video
In this arm, the disproportionate burden of Covid-19 on communities of color will not be highlighted
Videos not related to covid-19 will be shown
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if:
- adults who self-identify as African American or white.
- an oversample of individuals with less than a college education
Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.
Sponsors & Collaborators
- National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.lead
- Massachusetts General Hospitalcollaborator
- Stanford Universitycollaborator
- Yale Universitycollaborator
- Harvard Universitycollaborator
Study Sites (1)
JPAL North America
Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02138, United States
Related Publications (1)
Torres C, Ogbu-Nwobodo L, Alsan M, Stanford FC, Banerjee A, Breza E, Chandrasekhar AG, Eichmeyer S, Karnani M, Loisel T, Goldsmith-Pinkham P, Olken BA, Vautrey PL, Warner E, Duflo E; COVID-19 Working Group. Effect of Physician-Delivered COVID-19 Public Health Messages and Messages Acknowledging Racial Inequity on Black and White Adults' Knowledge, Beliefs, and Practices Related to COVID-19: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Netw Open. 2021 Jul 1;4(7):e2117115. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.17115.
PMID: 34259846DERIVED
MeSH Terms
Conditions
Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)
Limitations and Caveats
1\. It was conducted online, and the participants may not be representative of the population with less than a college degree, since they have access to the internet and are used to participating in online studies; 2. Participants' preventive health behaviors were not directly observed; 3. Outcomes might be subject to social desirability bias.
Results Point of Contact
- Title
- Tristan Loisel
- Organization
- JPAL North America
Publication Agreements
- PI is Sponsor Employee
- No
- Restrictive Agreement
- No
Study Design
- Study Type
- interventional
- Phase
- not applicable
- Allocation
- RANDOMIZED
- Masking
- NONE
- Purpose
- PREVENTION
- Intervention Model
- PARALLEL
- Sponsor Type
- OTHER
- Responsible Party
- PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
- PI Title
- Abdul Latif Jameel Professor of Poverty Alleviation and Development Economics, MIT; Co-Director, Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab
Study Record Dates
First Submitted
August 2, 2020
First Posted
August 6, 2020
Study Start
August 7, 2020
Primary Completion
September 6, 2020
Study Completion
September 6, 2020
Last Updated
July 27, 2021
Results First Posted
July 27, 2021
Record last verified: 2021-07