Information sources and knowledge about chronic wasting disease in North Dakota
Jerry J. Vaske, Craig A. Miller, Chad J. Parent, Charlie S. Bahnson
Abstract
This article examined the relationships between information sources (used and perceived importance) and factual knowledge about chronic wasting disease (CWD). Data were obtained from an online survey of North Dakota deer permit holders from the 2020–2021 seasons (n = 3,242, response rate = 29%). Over 90% of respondents knew that CWD exists in North Dakota and three-quarters (75%) knew that infected deer can look healthy. Respondents were less knowledgeable about the causes and transmission of CWD. Bivariate correlations between all information sources and a knowledge index were significant and positive. Multiple regression analyses, however, revealed that while 7 of the 8 betas for agency-based sources were significant and positive, only 4 of the 20 coefficients for non-agency sources were significant. Two of these were positive and associated with sportsmen’s club meetings. The other two were negative and associated with listening to the radio and the importance of word of mouth in learning about CWD.