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UC 4-H youth spread the facts — not the disease — during COVID-19

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Authors

Dorina M. Espinoza, UC Cooperative Extension
Anne M. laccopucci, UC Davis
Marcel Horowitz, UC Cooperative Extension
Roshan K. Nayak, UC 4-H Youth Development Program

Publication Information

California Agriculture. https://doi.org/10.3733/ca.2023a0013

Published online November 08, 2023

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Abstract

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for education in disease transmission and prevention. In response, the University of California 4-H Youth Development Program implemented a virtual epidemiology project, based on resources developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and collaborating agencies. The teenage participants were actively engaged in group lessons focused on epidemiology, immunology, vaccination, zoology, prevention strategies, related careers, and health communication. Surveys administered before and after the program showed an increase in knowledge about vaccinations and disease transmission and improved attitudes toward, and intentions to adopt, practices that reduce the spread of disease. They also showed increased self-efficacy and positive health behaviors (hand washing and mask use, and the intention to share what they learned in their communities). These findings contribute to the development of public health and epidemiological education programs for adolescents and programming that elevates youth as messengers of health information.

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UC 4-H youth spread the facts — not the disease — during COVID-19

Dorina M. Espinoza, Anne M. laccopucci, Marcel Horowitz, Roshan K. Nayak
Webmaster Email: sjosterman@ucanr.edu

UC 4-H youth spread the facts — not the disease — during COVID-19

Share using any of the popular social networks Share by sending an email Print article
Share using any of the popular social networks Share by sending an email Print article

Authors

Dorina M. Espinoza, UC Cooperative Extension
Anne M. laccopucci, UC Davis
Marcel Horowitz, UC Cooperative Extension
Roshan K. Nayak, UC 4-H Youth Development Program

Publication Information

California Agriculture. https://doi.org/10.3733/ca.2023a0013

Published online November 08, 2023

PDF  |  Citation  |  Permissions

Author Affiliations show

Abstract

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for education in disease transmission and prevention. In response, the University of California 4-H Youth Development Program implemented a virtual epidemiology project, based on resources developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and collaborating agencies. The teenage participants were actively engaged in group lessons focused on epidemiology, immunology, vaccination, zoology, prevention strategies, related careers, and health communication. Surveys administered before and after the program showed an increase in knowledge about vaccinations and disease transmission and improved attitudes toward, and intentions to adopt, practices that reduce the spread of disease. They also showed increased self-efficacy and positive health behaviors (hand washing and mask use, and the intention to share what they learned in their communities). These findings contribute to the development of public health and epidemiological education programs for adolescents and programming that elevates youth as messengers of health information.

Full text

Full text is available in PDF.

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