Search

Data from the UCSD ZAP COVID study was analyzed to determine an association between participant demographics and risk perception, as well as the effect of antibody knowledge on risk perception. It was hypothesized that medical comorbidities and tobacco use would influence baseline risk perception, and that a change in risk perception would be affected by participants’ antibody results. Participants (n=2727) were recruited from UCSD and provided saliva samples for antibody testing. Participants were surveyed on baseline characteristics, risk perception, and masking/social distancing behavior. Participants completed follow-up surveys at 30 and 90 days. After analyzing the study data in RStudio, it was found that people with medical comorbidities had higher baseline risk perceptions, and obesity (based on BMI) was the most significant comorbidity. Knowledge of antibody levels had a significant effect on change in risk perception, as participants with 80% or higher immunity had a decrease in risk perception, while participants with less than 80% immunity tended to increase their risk perception.