The primary goal for this study is to assess whether receiving the results of an antibody test changes protective behavior to avoid SARS-CoV-2 infections (i.e., mask-wearing, physical distancing, limiting close contacts/avoiding crowds, hand-washing, avoiding contact with high-risk individuals). While studies have been published on the cross-sectional relationship between risk perception and other demographic characteristics and health behaviors that are protective for SARS-CoV-2 infection (see citations), there have been no studies showing the effect of receiving information about antibody positivity on protective behavior. Not only can results from this study be used to better model transmission, a better understanding of college student's risk perception around SARS-CoV-2 infections has implications for future vaccination strategies as well. There are concerns that a desire to return to "normal" life in combination with reduced perception of risk could have negative consequences for uptake of vaccination (Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security 2020 report, The Public's Role in COVID-19 Vaccination: Planning Recommendations Informed by Design Thinking and the Social, Behavioral, and Communication Sciences). The antibody test used in this study is named 'SARS-CoV-2 IgM/IgG rapid assay kit (Colloidal Gold)'. It provides a fast, on-site, and accurate detection of IgM/IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, with positive results of IgM antibodies indicating a recent infection, while positive results of IgG antibodies signaling a longer or previous infection. It can detect IgM and IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in human specimens of serum, plasma, or venous whole blood.
This study will take place between September - November, 2020, and will ask participants to
participate in: a web-based baseline survey, two rounds of SARS-CoV-2 serological testing
(September and November), and bi-weekly web-based behavioral surveys (4 total surveys). Each
is described in more detail below:
Web-based baseline survey: The baseline survey is designed to collect data on participant
demographics, SARS-CoV-2 protective behaviors, alcohol drinking habits, nicotine use, and
personality profile and should take less than 30 minutes to fill out. Participants who
provide informed consent will be provided the link to the survey which they can fill out at a
time convenient to them prior to first round of serological testing.
SARS-CoV-2 serological testing: There will be two rounds of SARS-CoV-2 serological testing,
once at baseline (September 14-23) and once at endline (November 9-11). The serological
testing visits will involve in-person laboratory testing for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. The
laboratory test involves a fingerstick to provide a small blood sample for the antibody test
kits.
Antibody test results will eventually be provided to all study participants via secure link
sent by email. With this message, we will include a clearly written information sheet about
the chance for inaccurate test results and how it is still unknown whether previous
infections confer immunity to future infections. We will clearly counsel participants to not
use the results of the tests as proof of a previous SARS-CoV-2 infection, nor as a reason to
change their behaviors. If participants wish to participate in the study, but do not wish to
be provided with their antibody test results, they will be able to opt out of the results
provision. If any participants opt out of receiving their test results, these participants
would essentially create a third category of respondents: those who do not receive their
results at all. However, these participants will still be analyzed with the trial arm to
which they were randomized (intent to treat analysis).
The primary experiment will assess whether provision of the antibody test results leads to
behavior change with respect to personal protective behaviors. To that end, all participants
will be randomized to a trial arm that immediately receive results (within 24 hours) or a
trial arm with a delayed provision of results (after 4 weeks). So as to not incentivize early
drop-out, if a participant in the delayed results arm drops out early, they will still be
provided their test results at the regularly scheduled time, not earlier. All other
procedures between arms are identical. The endline laboratory test results will be delivered
to all participants in the same timeframe - within 24-72 hours. The early and delayed test
result intervention will have completed after the first round of testing.
Web-based behavioral surveys: To assess whether or not the provision of antibody test results
changes behaviors, participants will self-reported behaviors in a short web-based survey
every two weeks under observation. Links to these surveys will be sent to participants at
regular bi-weekly intervals. Participants will fill out these short follow-up surveys on
their computers or mobile devices. They are designed to take about 5 minutes or less to
complete for each survey.
Behavioral: Immediate vs. delayed provision of antibody test results
The primary experiment will be assessing whether provision of the antibody test results leads to behavior change with respect to personal protective behaviors. To that end, we will randomize all participants to a trial arm that immediately receive results (within 24 hours) or a trial arm with a delayed provision of results (after 4 weeks).
Inclusion Criteria:
- Age 18 years or older
- Current IU undergraduate student
- Current resident of Monroe County, Indiana
Exclusion Criteria:
- Younger than 18 years old
- Current residence outside of Monroe County, Indiana
Indiana University
Bloomington, Indiana, United States
Molly Rosenberg, PhD, Principal Investigator
Indiana University Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics