Sociodemographic Factors’ Influence on the Consumption and Assessment of COVID-19 Related Information–An International Web-Based Survey

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (2 (40)) ◽  
pp. 26-44
Author(s):  
Sigrid STJERNSWÄRD ◽  
Anna-Karin IVERT ◽  
Stinne GLASDAM

Information flows can affect people’s apprehension of the pan- demic and related behaviors. The aim is to explore how people access and assess COVID-19 information and whether sociodemographic factors are associated with these processes. Quantitative data from 928 persons from 29 countries who participated in an international web-based survey was ana- lyzed with descriptive and analytic statistics. Television, newspapers and social media were common sources to search for certain types of COVID-19 information. Age, educational level, employment status and sex were as- sociated with differences in terms of reported sources, types, and reliability assessments of retrieved information. Sex and education levels were associ- ated with differences pertaining to main sources and kinds of information searched. Younger respondents reported more frequent uses of social media than older respondents. Older respondents assessed information from tra- ditional media as more reliable information from social media. The current results show trends about where and how information is accessed and assessed during the pandemic. Some associations with sociodemographic factors were found, but the study’s cross-sectional design prevents causal inferences. Further research on consumption patterns of COVID-19 infor- mation and its effects on consumers is motivated, as this may in turn affect people’s attitudes and behavior relating to the pandemic.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yunier Broche-Perez ◽  
Zoylen Fernandez-Fleites ◽  
Evelyn Fernandez-Castillo ◽  
Elizabeth Jimenez-Puig ◽  
Dunia M Ferrer-Lozano ◽  
...  

The objective of this study was to explore the relationship between sociodemographic factors and fear of COVID-19 in a Cuban population. A web-based study with a cross-sectional design was conducted. The sample comprised 1145 participants. To explore fear, the Fear of COVID-19 Scale was used. Our results suggest that women were more likely to experience medium to high levels fear compared to men. Additionally, knowing a person positive to COVID-19 significantly increases fear levels in Cuban participants.


Epidemiologia ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 84-94
Author(s):  
Mst. Marium Begum ◽  
Osman Ulvi ◽  
Ajlina Karamehic-Muratovic ◽  
Mallory R. Walsh ◽  
Hasan Tarek ◽  
...  

Background: Chikungunya is a vector-borne disease, mostly present in tropical and subtropical regions. The virus is spread by Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus mosquitos and symptoms include high fever to severe joint pain. Dhaka, Bangladesh, suffered an outbreak of chikungunya in 2017 lasting from April to September. With the goal of reducing cases, social media was at the forefront during this outbreak and educated the public about symptoms, prevention, and control of the virus. Popular web-based sources such as the top dailies in Bangladesh, local news outlets, and Facebook spread awareness of the outbreak. Objective: This study sought to investigate the role of social and mainstream media during the chikungunya epidemic. The study objective was to determine if social media can improve awareness of and practice associated with reducing cases of chikungunya. Methods: We collected chikungunya-related information circulated from the top nine television channels in Dhaka, Bangladesh, airing from 1st April–20th August 2017. All the news published in the top six dailies in Bangladesh were also compiled. The 50 most viewed chikungunya-related Bengali videos were manually coded and analyzed. Other social media outlets, such as Facebook, were also analyzed to determine the number of chikungunya-related posts and responses to these posts. Results: Our study showed that media outlets were associated with reducing cases of chikungunya, indicating that media has the potential to impact future outbreaks of these alpha viruses. Each media outlet (e.g., web, television) had an impact on the human response to an individual’s healthcare during this outbreak. Conclusions: To prevent future outbreaks of chikungunya, media outlets and social media can be used to educate the public regarding prevention strategies such as encouraging safe travel, removing stagnant water sources, and assisting with tracking cases globally to determine where future outbreaks may occur.


Author(s):  
Abinet Arega Sadore ◽  
Demelash Woldeyohannes Handiso ◽  
Tekle Ejajo Wontamo ◽  
Dejene Ermias Mekango ◽  
Sisay Moges

Abstract Background: Infection with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has become a severe public health issue worldwide. A broad amount of information related to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic was disseminated by social media in Ethiopia. To date, there is limited evidence on the influence of social media use for covid-19 related information on covid-19 preventive practice. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the influence of social media use on the practice of COVID-19 preventive measures in Ethiopia. Methods: This study employed an anonymous internet-based online cross-sectional survey using Google forms to collects the data from the respondents from 15 May to 17 June 2020 in Ethiopia. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between social media usage as a predictor and COVID-19 preventive practice, after adjusting for socio-demographic and risk perception of COVID-19 variables. The data were analysed using SPSS version 21. Results: A total of 372 respondents have participated in the study. From 372, 208(55.9%) respondents in this study were male. Study participants who had good utilization of social media to get COVID-19 related information were 9.5 times engaged in COVID-19 preventive practices compared to study participants who had poor utilization of social media to get covid-19 related information (AOR= 9.59, 95% CI = 5.70 - 16.13). Also, study participants who had a high-risk perception of COVID-19 were 2.6 times engaged in COVID-19 practices compared to study participants who had a low-risk perception of covid-19 (AOR = 2.63, 95% CI = 1.58 - 4.38). Study participants who were students at the time of this study were four times more likely to show adequate COVID-19 preventive practice score compared to those who had another occupational status (AOR= 4.07, 95% CI= 1.66 - 9.98) Conclusions: Our results show that the usage of social media networks can have a positive effect on the practice of preventive measures and public safety against COVID-19; high-risk perception contributed to preventive activities against COVID-19. Social networking platforms can be used by public health agencies as an important method to raise public health understanding by disseminating concise messages to targeted audiences.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayman Al-Dahshan ◽  
Mohamad Chehab ◽  
Nagah Selim

Abstract Background: Although the internet can be a source of reassurance and clarification for expectant women, it ‎could cause concerns or feelings of worry when reading about pregnancy-related ‎information. The current research sought to assess the feelings of worry and perceived reliability towards online pregnancy-related information and the associated factors among expectant women attending antenatal clinics at primary healthcare centers in Qatar.Methods: A cross-sectional study design was employed. The participants were recruited through a systematic random sampling technique. ‎A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from the participants. Descriptive and analytic statistics were used when appropriate‎.Results: A total of 327 expecting women completed the questionnaire. Most participants were aged between 26-34 years (74.1%), held a college/university degree (76.4%), and multigravidas (73.1%). About one-third of the women ‎(31.2‎%) reported feeling worried due to something they read online. The participants coped with these feelings by consulting their antenatal care provider at the next appointment (51.0%) or by talking with relatives and friends (47.0%). Furthermore, most women (79.2%) considered online pregnancy-related information to be reliable or highly reliable. Holding a college/university degree, primigravidae, and having no children were factors significantly associated with a high perception of reliability of online health information.Conclusion: Although online pregnancy information caused feelings of worry for some pregnant ‎women, most women perceived such information to be reliable. Thus, antenatal care providers should be equipped to guide pregnant women on how to access high-quality web-based information.


2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 20
Author(s):  
Laila Nuranna ◽  
Nessyah Fatahan ◽  
Alfu Nikmatul Laily ◽  
Gatot Purwoto

Objective: Outline the correlation between cervical cancer-related knowledge and voluntary enrollment on early detection of cervical cancer.Material and Methods: Cross sectional design was performed. The inclusion is general practitioner women which currently married. Knowledge and behavior were assessed using questionnaire.Results: Among 367 respondents who filled the questionnaire, 77.4% of them (284) satisfy the inclusion criteria. 56% has high knowledge, and 42.3% has adequate knowledge. Moreover, 62.7% subjects ever performed cervical cancer early detection to themselves; 39.8% with VIA (visual inspection with acetic acid) and 46.5% with Papsmear and/or HPV DNA. Proportion of no early detection history with low and adequate knowledge 1.9 and 1.5 times simultaneously higher than proportion of no early detection with high knowledge. There is no significant correlation between level of knowledge and early detection history.Conclusion: There was no significant correlation between the level of knowlegde and voluntary enrollment for early detection of cervical cancer for general practitioners in Indonesia.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (9) ◽  
pp. 871-878
Author(s):  
M. Farhan Fadhillah ◽  
Chairil Anwar ◽  
Iche Andriyani Liberty

Introduction. Pediculosis capitis is a disease of the scalp caused by infestation of Pediculus humanus capitis with symptoms such as itching and sensation of movement in the hair. The purpose of this study was to determine the risk factors and incidence of pediculosis capitis in the Baturaja orphanage.Methods. This research is an analytic observational study using a cross-sectional design with field and laboratory research. The population of this study were all children in the Baturaja orphanage who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria, as many as 172 children. All children present were taken as subjects. Data obtained by questionnaires, interviews and direct observation of the sample.Results. The results of this study showed the prevalence of pediculosis capitis in the Baturaja orphanage was 19.1%. In this study, it was found that there was a significant relationship between age (p = 0.000), education (p = 0.000), the use of shared pillows (p = 0.000), the use of shared combs (p = 0.000), the use of shared towels (p = 0.000), knowledge (p = 0.000), attitudes and behavior (p = 0.000) with the incidence of pediculosis capitis. Multivariate analysis showed that the most dominant risk factor for the incidence of pediculosis capitis in the Baturaja orphanage was age (p=0.036), while behavior was a protective factor for the incidence of pediculosis capitis.Conclusion. There is a significant relationship between age, education, use of shared pillows, use of shared combs, use of shared towels, knowledge, attitudes, behavior with the incidence of pediculosis capitis. The most dominant risk factor for the incidence of pediculosis capitis in the Baturaja orphanage is age, while behavior is a protective factor for the incidence of pediculosis capitis.


2013 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 248-258 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carrie M. Carretta ◽  
Ann W. Burgess

This study reports the findings of an anonymous web-based survey to test differences in symptom presentation (depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder [PTSD]) among women who experienced different types of sexual trauma (forcible, pressured, sex stress). The study used a descriptive cross-sectional design with an online convenience sample of 243 adult females living primarily in the United States. The findings revealed that there was a statistically significant difference among type of sexual trauma groups for depression (p = .013) and PTSD (p = .044) but not for anxiety (p = .183). Post hoc analysis of the overall difference in depression revealed that the multiple rape type group (p = .010) and the forcible sex group (p = .016) had higher levels of depression.


F1000Research ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 216
Author(s):  
Sabuj Kanti Mistry ◽  
ARM Mehrab Ali ◽  
Uday Narayan Yadav ◽  
Nafis Md. Irfan ◽  
Binod Rayamajhee ◽  
...  

Background The COVID-19 has been appeared as the most remarkable global calamity of this century. Just as the COVID-19 spread throughout the world, so as the rumour and misconceptions related to it. The present study aimed to explore the prevalence of COVID-19 related misconceptions and its correlates among the older adults in Bangladesh. Methods The study followed a cross-sectional design and was conducted among 1032 participants aged 60 years and above from Bangladesh. Information was collected on 14 different locally relevant misconceptions related to the spread, prevention, and treatment of COVID-19, scored each misconception as one, and obtained a cumulative score, ranging from 0 to 14, with a higher score indicating a higher level of misconceptions. A multiple linear regression model explored the factors associated with misconceptions. Results The most common misconceptions were, all returning migrants carrying COVID-19 (45.5%), wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) in outdoors (80.1%), not going to the funeral of people died of COVID-19 (45.2%), its prevention by nutritious food (57.6%) and drinking water (39.4%), and doctor can cure COVID-19 (49.9%). Misconceptions were higher among the participants who were living alone, whose family members were not responsive to their needs during COVID-19, and who received COVID-19 related information from Radio/TV and health workers. These misconceptions were less likely among those who were aged 70-79 years, who had pre-existing non-communicable chronic conditions, who were overwhelmed by COVID-19, and who felt themselves at highest risk of COVID-19. Conclusion Overall, we found that misconceptions were prevalent among the older adults in Bangladesh. Government and other relevant stakeholders should take immediate actions to address the prevalent misconceptions through using appropriate channels, media, and message delivery systems, and applying evidence-based risk communication methods.


2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 1094-1105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kirsti Kvaløy ◽  
Marita Melhus ◽  
Anne Silviken ◽  
Magritt Brustad ◽  
Tore Sørlie ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectiveThe present study aimed to investigate disordered eating (DE) among Sami compared with non-Sami residing in northern Norway.DesignIn a cross-sectional design, stratified by sex and ethnicity, associations were tested between DE (Eating Disturbance Scale; EDS-5) and age, education level, BMI category, anxiety and depression, physical activity and consumption of snacks.SettingThe SAMINOR 2 Clinical Survey (2012–2014) based on the population of ten municipalities in northern Norway.SubjectsAdults aged 40–69 years; 1811 Sami (844 male, 967 female) compared with 2578 non-Sami (1180 male, 1398 female) individuals.ResultsNo overall significant ethnic difference in DE was identified, although comfort eating was reported more often by Sami individuals (P=0·01). Regardless of ethnicity and sex, symptoms of anxiety and depression were associated with DE (P<0·001). Furthermore, DE was more common at lower age and higher BMI values. Education levels were protectively associated with DE among Sami men (P=0·01). DE was associated (OR, 95% CI) with low physical activity in men in general and in non-Sami women (Sami men: 2·4, 1·4, 4·0; non-Sami men: 2·2, 1·4, 3·6; non-Sami women: 1·8, 1·2, 2·9) and so was the consumption of snacks (Sami men: 2·6, 1·3, 5·0; non-Sami men: 1·9, 1·1, 3·1; non-Sami women: 2·1, 1·3, 3·4).ConclusionsThere were no significant differences regarding overall DE comparing Sami with non-Sami, although Sami more often reported comfort eating. There were significant sex and ethnic differences related to DE and physical activity, snacking and education level.


2013 ◽  
Vol 411-414 ◽  
pp. 110-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dan Dumbrell ◽  
Robert Steele

Traditional forms of health information dissemination have previously involved a few key organizations originating health-related information and disseminating this to clinicians and the community. This information was typically disseminated via private, formalized and non-digital interactions between health information sources (HIS) and clinicians and consumers. With the introduction of the Internet, Web-based health information dissemination led to some changes with greater availability of online health information. However the recent adoption and uptake of social media has led to many more parties, both organizations of varying types, and individuals, participating in public health information dissemination; and this has also led to new forms of sharing health-related information, particularly involving a greater role for individuals. In this paper we introduce empirical findings in relation to how organizations and individuals are now using social media for sharing health information, and from this suggest themes to describe the changes from traditional to contemporary health information dissemination, as well as the new emerging roles and forms of interaction for health information dissemination.


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