scholarly journals A thematic analysis of highly retweeted early COVID-19 tweets: consensus, information, dissent and lockdown life

2020 ◽  
Vol 72 (6) ◽  
pp. 945-962 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mike Thelwall ◽  
Saheeda Thelwall
Keyword(s):  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
English Language ◽  
Information Dissemination ◽  
Public Attitudes ◽  
Practical Implementation ◽  
Health Campaigns ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Public Health Campaigns ◽  
Public Reaction

PurposePublic attitudes towards COVID-19 and social distancing are critical in reducing its spread. It is therefore important to understand public reactions and information dissemination in all major forms, including on social media. This article investigates important issues reflected on Twitter in the early stages of the public reaction to COVID-19.Design/methodology/approachA thematic analysis of the most retweeted English-language tweets mentioning COVID-19 during March 10–29, 2020.FindingsThe main themes identified for the 87 qualifying tweets accounting for 14 million retweets were: lockdown life; attitude towards social restrictions; politics; safety messages; people with COVID-19; support for key workers; work; and COVID-19 facts/news.Research limitations/implicationsTwitter played many positive roles, mainly through unofficial tweets. Users shared social distancing information, helped build support for social distancing, criticised government responses, expressed support for key workers and helped each other cope with social isolation. A few popular tweets not supporting social distancing show that government messages sometimes failed.Practical implicationsPublic health campaigns in future may consider encouraging grass roots social web activity to support campaign goals. At a methodological level, analysing retweet counts emphasised politics and ignored practical implementation issues.Originality/valueThis is the first qualitative analysis of general COVID-19-related retweeting.

Public perception of COVID-19 vaccines from the digital footprints left on Twitter: analyzing positive, neutral and negative sentiments of Twitterati

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aasif Ahmad Mir ◽  
Sevukan Rathinam ◽  
Sumeer Gul
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Public Perception ◽  
English Language ◽  
Social Issues ◽  
Application Programming Interface ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
Public Reaction ◽  
Types Of Information ◽  
The Impact

PurposeTwitter is gaining popularity as a microblogging and social networking service to discuss various social issues. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become a global pandemic and is discussed worldwide. Social media is an instant platform to deliberate various dimensions of COVID-19. The purpose of the study is to explore and analyze the public sentiments related to COVID-19 vaccines across the Twitter messages (positive, neutral, and negative) and the impact tweets make across digital social circles.Design/methodology/approachTo fetch the vaccine-related posts, a manual examination of randomly selected 500 tweets was carried out to identify the popular hashtags relevant to the vaccine conversation. It was found that the hashtags “covid19vaccine” and “coronavirusvaccine” were the two popular hashtags used to discuss the communications related to COVID-19 vaccines. 23,575 global tweets available in public domain were retrieved through “Twitter Application Programming Interface” (API), using “Orange Software”, an open-source machine learning, data visualization and data mining toolkit. The study was confined to the tweets posted in English language only. The default data cleaning and preprocessing techniques available in the “Orange Software” were applied to the dataset, which include “transformation”, “tokenization” and “filtering”. The “Valence Aware Dictionary for sEntiment Reasoning” (VADER) tool was used for classification of tweets to determine the tweet sentiments (positive, neutral and negative) as well as the degree of sentiments (compound score also known as sentiment score). To assess the influence/impact of tweets account wise (verified and unverified) and sentiment wise (positive, neutral, and negative), the retweets and likes, which offer a sort of reward or acknowledgment of tweets, were used.FindingsA gradual decline in the number of tweets over the time is observed. Majority (11,205; 47.52%) of tweets express positive sentiments, followed by neutral (7,948; 33.71%) and negative sentiments (4,422; 18.75%), respectively. The study also signifies a substantial difference between the impact of tweets tweeted by verified and unverified users. The tweets related to verified users have a higher impact both in terms of retweets (65.91%) and likes (84.62%) compared to the tweets tweeted by unverified users. Tweets expressing positive sentiments have the highest impact both in terms of likes (mean = 10.48) and retweets (mean = 3.07) compared to those that express neutral or negative sentiments.Research limitations/implicationsThe main limitation of the study is that the sentiments of the people expressed over one single social platform, that is, Twitter have been studied which cannot generalize the global public perceptions. There can be a variation in the results when the datasets from other social media platforms will be studied.Practical implicationsThe study will help to know the people's sentiments and beliefs toward the COVID-19 vaccines. Sentiments that people hold about the COVID-19 vaccines are studied, which will help health policymakers understand the polarity (positive, negative, and neutral) of the tweets and thus see the public reaction and reflect the types of information people are exposed to about vaccines. The study can aid the health sectors to intensify positive messages and eliminate negative messages for an enhanced vaccination uptake. The research can also help design more operative vaccine-advocating communication by customizing messages using the obtained knowledge from the sentiments and opinions about the vaccines.Originality/valueThe paper focuses on an essential aspect of COVID-19 vaccines and how people express themselves (positively, neutrally and negatively) on Twitter.

scholarly journals A cross-sectional population survey of physicians in Alberta, Canada about a novel provincial contact tracing smartphone app

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
D Jerome ◽  
M Pietrosanu ◽  
K Dhillon
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
English Language ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Smartphone App ◽  
Health Campaigns ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Knowledge And Beliefs ◽  
Public Health Officials ◽  
Health Zone ◽  
Public Health Campaigns

Abstract Background The Canadian province of Alberta released the ABTraceTogether smartphone app in May 2020 to assist in contact tracing during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Public engagement with this public health tool has been low, limiting the effectiveness of the intervention. This study examines physician knowledge of the app and practice patterns in relation to the app. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional self-administered online English language survey of physicians and medical students in Alberta, Canada. The survey link was sent to all registered members of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta and was distributed by other provincial physician organizations and health zone leaders. Results The survey received 317 responses. 96% of participants were aware of the app but only 27% had recommended the app to patients. The most common reason provided for not downloading or recommending the app was that participants had security concerns about the app. 23% of participants indicated they did not believe they had a responsibility to recommend the app to others. Conclusions Our study provides insights into participants’ knowledge and beliefs about the ABTraceTogether app. This information may be valuable to public health officials who wish to engage physicians in future public health campaigns.

scholarly journals The public uptake of information about antibiotic resistance in the Netherlands

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 486-503 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michiel van Rijn ◽  
Manon Haverkate ◽  
Peter Achterberg ◽  
Aura Timen
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Antibiotic Resistance ◽  
Representative Sample ◽  
Public Attitudes ◽  
Educational Video ◽  
Health Campaigns ◽  
Deficit Model ◽  
The Public ◽  
Knowledge Deficit ◽  
Public Health Campaigns

In this study, we test to what extent an educational video on the intricacies of antibiotic resistance affects public attitudes towards antibiotic resistance and how such information is absorbed by the most likely targets of public health campaigns. We use a representative sample of 2037 individuals (from 2016) to test how people respond to a video educating them about antibiotic resistance. Our results show that receiving information does increase the general awareness of antibiotic resistance among our respondents. Yet, these effects are most profound for those who are the most likely targets of such information: the least knowledgeable group and those who have a more apathetic worldview. Our results are in line with suggestions made by the knowledge deficit model and show that the influence of cultural predispositions on the uptake of information about antibiotic resistance should not be ignored in future campaigns.

scholarly journals COVID-19 information dissemination in Uganda: Perspectives from sub-national health workers

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristin Alexis Fergus ◽  
Elizabeth Storer ◽  
Moses Arinaitwe ◽  
Solomon Kamurari ◽  
Moses Adriko
Keyword(s):  
Health System ◽  
Information Dissemination ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
National Level ◽  
Local Context ◽  
Accurate Information ◽  
Health Campaigns ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Communication Modes ◽  
Public Health Campaigns

Abstract Background In many places, health workers at the sub-national level are on the frontlines of disseminating information about coronavirus (COVID-19) to communities. To ensure communities are receiving timely and accurate information, it is vital health workers are kept abreast of the most recent recommendations, and guidance. Methods An electronic survey was implemented to provide insights about the dissemination and utilisation of information and evidence related to the COVID-19 pandemic by health workers engaged at sub-national levels of the Ugandan health system. The aim of this survey was to provide insights about the dissemination and utilisation of information and evidence related to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic by individuals engaged at sub-national levels of the health system. Results Mass media and public health campaigns and outreach activities were deemed the most suitable means to reach communities with COVID-19 information. Given the reported disruption to public outreach campaigns, this is a particularly important consideration for the provision of information to communities. All materials should be adapted to the local context. The need for information on homecare of COVID-19 patients was highlighted, along with the need for updated local statistics as to COVID-19 cases to be relayed for health workers at sub-national levels. Conclusions Understanding the sources of information used by health workers can facilitate the transfer of relevant and timely information, which in turn increases the use of such information by the Ugandan population. It is vital that these issues are continued to be monitored, and communication modes and content are actively responsive to the time- and place-specific needs of health workers and community members.

scholarly journals Gender Discrepancies in SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic Related Beliefs, Attitudes, and Practices

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bethann Mangel Pflugeisen ◽  
Jin Mou
Keyword(s):  
The United States ◽  
International Studies ◽  
Health Campaigns ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Community Healthcare ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Attitudes And Practices ◽  
Early Stages ◽  
Chi Squared ◽  
Public Health Campaigns

Objectives: International studies suggest that males may be less likely to adhere to SARS-CoV-2 transmission mitigation efforts than females. However, there is a paucity of research in this field in the United States. The primary aim of this study was to explore the relationship of binary gender identity (female/male) with beliefs, attitudes, and pandemic-related practices in the early stages of the pandemic.Methods: This study is based on a cross-sectional, voluntary response survey. Patients who were tested for SARS-CoV-2 between March 5 and June 7, 2020 were invited to participate. All patients were tested within a large community healthcare system that serves patients through eight hospitals and hundreds of clinics across Washington State. Bivariate associations between gender and various demographics were tested using Chi-squared and Student's t-tests. We examined associations between gender and pandemic-related beliefs, attitudes, and practices using multivariable logistic regression, accounting for potential confounding factors.Results: Females were more likely than males to agree that they (aOR = 1.51, 95% CI 1.14–2.00) or their families (aOR = 1.75, 95% CI 1.31–2.33) were threatened by SARS-CoV-2, or that their own behavior could impact transmission (aOR = 2.17, 95% CI 1.49–3.15). Similarly, females were more likely to agree that social distancing (aOR = 1.72, 95% CI 1.19–2.46), handwashing (aOR = 3.27, 95% CI 2.06–5.21), and masking (aOR = 1.41, 95% CI 1.02–1.94) were necessary to slow SARS-CoV-2 spread. Females were significantly less likely to visit outside of their social distancing circle (aOR = 0.62, 95% CI 0.47–0.81), but among those who did, practices of social distancing (aOR = 1.41, 95% CI 0.89–2.23), remaining outdoors (aOR = 0.89, 95% CI 0.56–1.40), and masking (aOR = 1.19, 95% CI 0.74–1.93) were comparable to males, while females practiced handwashing more than males (aOR = 2.11, 95% CI 1.33–3.34).Conclusions: Our study suggests that gender disparate beliefs, attitudes, and practices existed in the early stages of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Efforts should be tailored to encourage males to engage with mitigation efforts in ongoing pandemic-related public health campaigns.

Consensus and trust are key for leaders amid COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Consensus Building ◽  
Health Campaigns ◽  
Female Leaders ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Women And Girls ◽  
Public Health Campaigns ◽  
Heads Of State

Significance Research indicates that compared with male heads of state, female leaders more often insist on consensus-building, investment in social services and empathetic communication. These traits are proving especially useful in mounting robust public health campaigns. Impacts The pandemic will spotlight the lack of women in top decision-making roles in public health, spurring change. Female political participation is likely to increase, especially in countries where female leaders are visibly tackling the pandemic. Overall, gender gaps will rise due to the disproportionate impact of the pandemic on women and girls.

Why are some people not socially distancing during COVID-19? A segmentation study

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Denni Arli ◽  
Tyson Ang ◽  
Shuqin Wei
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Democratic Party ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Health Belief ◽  
Health Campaigns ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Medical Practitioners ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Belief Model

Purpose Governments around the world have used social distancing methods to slow the spread of COVID-19. Some people, however, have ignored repeated warnings about the need to maintain social distance. The purpose of this study was to segment individuals based on their perceptions of social distancing with respect to shared constructs, such as attitudes and demographic profiles. The findings can assist social marketing efforts to target specific groups for health campaigns. Design/methodology/approach This study used a priori methods, meaning that the type and number of segments were determined in advance. Amazon’s Mturk was used to collect data from an online sample of US residents (n = 759) in May 2020, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings Individuals’ perceptions of social distancing were segmented as follows: Segment 1 = majority social distancing followers; Segment 2 = social distancing inbetweeners; and Segment 3 = minority social distancing rebels. Interestingly, some of these segments were strongly affiliated with political parties. In addition, the results show attitudes toward social distancing appear to be influenced by individuals’ beliefs regarding their susceptibility to coronavirus and the potential severity of the symptoms or disease’s impact on their lives. Research limitations/implications This study makes several theoretical and practical contributions to the literature on these issues. In particular, it involved the application of the health belief model to the context of attitudes toward social distancing, which were found to be influenced by individuals’ beliefs regarding whether they are susceptible to coronavirus infection and whether the symptoms or disease could have a significant effect on their lives. Practical implications The results of this study will assist public health researchers, social marketers and policymakers in efforts to improve the effectiveness of health campaigns. Public health campaigns in the USA need to be bi-partisan. The finding that the social distancing rebels were mostly Republicans is consistent with an earlier report that those who identify with this party were less convinced than those who identified with the Democratic party regarding the efficacy of maintaining social distancing measures and more concerned about the adverse effects of these measures on the economy. Originality/value Only a few studies have segmented populations based on their perceptions of social distancing. This study was designed to understand the distinguishing features of such segments to enhance health messaging and content and convince those reluctant to engage in social distancing to view the issue from the perspective of marketing and medical practitioners.

Differentiating confidence in the police, trust in the police, and satisfaction with the police

2015 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 239-249 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liqun Cao
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
English Language ◽  
Public Perceptions ◽  
Research Literature ◽  
Great Care ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Conceptual Clarity ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to differentiate clearly between three frequently used concepts found in the research literature on public perceptions of the police: confidence in the police, satisfaction with the police and trust in the police. Design/methodology/approach – Systemic literature review and thematic analysis are employed to assess each key term in the official English language dictionary and in the research literature. Their individual origins, their evolvement and their current usages are examined with great care. Findings – The findings of the study suggest that the three phrases are indeed distinct in their connotation. It is concluded that “confidence in the police” is the preferred choice when we survey the citizenry about the level of support for the police and when the police is evaluated as a political institution. Practical implications – Given that most criminologists believe that we are doing scientific research, it is our duty to be attentive to the pitfalls of lack of conceptual clarity. Originality/value – The essay advances the conceptual clarification of one of the popular themes in the study of the police.

scholarly journals Using Artificial Intelligence-enabled analysis of social media data to understand public perceptions of COVID-19 contact tracing apps (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathrin Cresswell ◽  
Ahsen Tahir ◽  
Zakariya Sheikh ◽  
Zain Hussain ◽  
Andrés Domínguez Hernández ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Public Attitudes ◽  
Public Perceptions ◽  
Media Analysis ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Health Campaigns ◽  
Social Media Analysis ◽  
Public Health Campaigns ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Effective Public Health

UNSTRUCTURED We here report on an exploratory analysis of the suitability of AI-enabled social media analysis of Facebook and Twitter to understand public perceptions of COVID-19 contact tracing apps in the UK. We extracted over 10,000 relevant social media posts and analysed these over an eight month period, from 1st of March to 31st of October 2020. Overall, we observed 76% positive and 12% negative sentiments, and discuss how the government's decision to move from a centralised to a decentralised contact-tracing model is likely to have influenced sentiment trends. In doing so, we demonstrate how AI-enabled social media analysis of public attitudes in healthcare can help to facilitate the implementation of effective public health campaigns.

Measles cases will spur US vaccines debate

2019 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
New York ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
The United States ◽  
Health Campaigns ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Control And Prevention ◽  
Current Outbreak ◽  
Public Health Campaigns ◽  
Media Firms

Subject Measles cases and vaccinations in the United States. Significance The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in late May there had been 971 reported cases of measles in 2019, surpassing the previous US record of 963 in 1994. Measles is highly contagious but had been eliminated in the United States in 2000. Now, however, it is back. The current outbreak is particularly affecting parts of New York City and within that, the Orthodox Jewish community. Impacts Social media firms could face government and public pressure further to help with public health campaigns. There will likely be court cases against local governments’ legal moves to compel people to be vaccinated. If vaccination levels do not increase markedly, inroads could be created into the problem by increasing US border health checks.

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