scholarly journals Public sphere attitudes towards the rumor sources of the COVID-19 pandemic: evidence from community perceptions in Iran

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Morteza Banakar ◽  
Ahmad Kalateh Sadati ◽  
Leila Zarei ◽  
Saeed Shahabi ◽  
Seyed Taghi Heydari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Public Sphere ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Highly Educated ◽  
National Media ◽  
Foreign Media ◽  
The Public Sphere

Abstract Background In the COVID-19 pandemic, rumors travel far faster than the outbreak itself. The current study aimed to evaluate the factors affecting the attitudes of individuals towards the rumors-producing media in Iran. Methods An online cross-sectional survey was conducted in Iran in March 2020 on the source of information and rumors, along with the perception of individuals regarding the reasons for rumors propagation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results Results showed that the majority of the participants (59.3%) believed that social media were the main source of rumors. The lack of a reliable and formal news resource was also considered the most common cause of rumoring by the participants (63.6%). An evaluation was carried out to identify the main source of misinformation and rumors. Results showed that Retired participants considered foreign media (P < 0.001) as the main resource. The middle-income level participants believed that social media (P < 0.001) were the main source. In this regard, the highly educated participants (P < 0.001), government employees, and middle-income individuals (P = 0.008) believed that national media produced rumors. Conclusion Although findings were achieved during the first peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the authorities immediately introduced the national media as a reliable news resource, which allowed both media and its journalists to reduce the gap between themselves and the public sphere. It was suggested that social networks and foreign media be more accountable in pandemics.

scholarly journals Public Sphere Attitudes toward Rumor sources on COVID-19 Pandemic: Evidence from Community Perceptions in Iran

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Morteza banakar ◽  
Ahmad Kalateh Sadati ◽  
Leila Zarei ◽  
Saeed Shahabi ◽  
Kamran Bagheri Lankarani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Public Sphere ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Highly Educated ◽  
News Source ◽  
National Media ◽  
Foreign Media ◽  
The Government

Abstract Background: In the case of the COVID-19 outbreak, misinformation seems to travel far faster than the outbreak itself. This study aimed to evaluate the factors affecting individuals' attitudes toward rumor-producing media in Iran.Methods: An online survey was conducted in Iran in March 2020 on the source of trusted information and misinformation along with individuals' perception of the cause of misinformation propagation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: The results showed that social media were considered as the primary rumor source from the perspective of a majority of the participants (59.3%). Lack of a reliable and formal news source was also introduced as the most common cause of a rumor formation by the participants (63.6%). To identify which media is the main source of rumors, the male participants who had high levels of education and were employed by the government proposed foreign media (P<0.01); however, the male participants aged 30-50 years with middle-income level believed that social media (P<0.01) were producing rumors. In this regard, the highly educated participants (P<0.001), government employees, and middle-income individuals (P<0.008) believed that national media produced rumors.Conclusion: Although these findings were obtained during the first encounter with the Corona pandemic, the authorities immediately introduced the national media as a reliable news source, which allowed the media and its journalists to reduce the gap between themselves and the public sphere. It is suggested that social networks and foreign media be more accountable in pandemics.

scholarly journals Public sphere attitudes toward rumor sources on COVID-19 epidemics: Evidence from community perceptions in Iran

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Morteza Banakar ◽  
Ahmad Kalateh Sadati ◽  
Leila Zarei ◽  
Saeed Shahabi ◽  
Seyed Taghi Heydari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Public Sphere ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Government Employees ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
National Media ◽  
Foreign Media ◽  
The Government

Abstract Background Advancements in technology had raised a variety of information circulation methods. In the case of the COVID-19 outbreak, misinformation seems to travel far faster than the outbreak itself. Misleading rumors are double-edged swords arousing fear and panic on the one side and a reduction in commitment to sanitary measures and induction of wrongdoing on the other side, leading to the disruption of the mitigation measures to tackle with the pandemic. This study aimed to evaluate the factors affecting individuals’ attitudes toward rumor-producing media in Iran. Methods An online survey was conducted in Iran in March 2020 on the source of trusted information and misinformation along with individuals’ perception of the cause of misinformation propagation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results The results showed that social media were considered as the primary rumor source from the perspective of a majority of the participants (59.3%). Lack of a reliable and formal news source was also introduced as the most common cause of a rumor formation by the participants (63.6%). To identify which media is the main source of rumors, the male participants who had high levels of education and were employed by the government proposed foreign media (P < 0.01); however, the male participants aged 30–50 years with middle income level believed that social media (P < 0.01) were producing rumors. In this regard, the high educated participants (P < 0.001), government employees, and middle-income individuals (P < 0.008) believed that national media produced rumors. In addition, the high-educated individuals (P = 0.002) and government employees (P = 0.009) mentioned that national media produced rumors. Conclusion Although these findings were obtained during the first encounter with the Corona epidemic, the authorities immediately introduced the national media as a source of reliable news, which allowed the media and its journalists to reduce the gap between themselves and public sphere. It is suggested that social networks and foreign media be more accountable in epidemics.

Association between Social Media Use for Health Purpose and Depressive Symptoms: A Cross-Sectional Survey (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hee Yun Lee ◽  
Yan Luo ◽  
Cho Rong Won ◽  
Jiyoung Lee ◽  
Jeongwon Baik
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Social Networking Sites ◽  
Inverse Relationship ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Use Of Social Media ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Health Purpose

BACKGROUND The use of social media or social networking sites (SNS) is increasing across all age groups, and one of the primary motives of using SNS is to seek health-related information. Although previous research examining the effect of SNS use on depression exist, studies regarding the effect of SNS use for health purpose on depression is limited. OBJECTIVE Our study aims to explore the relationship between SNS use for health purpose and depression across the four age groups (18-34 years old, 35-49 years old, 50-64 years old, and above 65 years old). METHODS A sample of 6,789 adults aged 18 and older was extracted from a 2017 and 2018 Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS). Univariate and bivariate analyses to examine the association between each variable and four age groups were conducted. Multiple linear regression analyses to predict depression level among participants with use of SNS for health purpose were conducted. RESULTS SNS use for health purpose and depression were positively associated for three age groups but not for those 65 years or older (=0.13, P<0.05; =0.08, P<0.05; =0.09, P<0.05). Income and self-reported health status indicated an inverse relationship for all age groups. The relationship with marital status differed based on age group with 18 and 34 years old showing an inverse relationship (=-0.13, P<0.01) while 65 years or older showing a positive relationship (=0.06, P<0.05). Gender was positively associated among those in the 35-49 years old (=0.09, P<0.05) and 65 years or older (=0.07, P<0.05). Being Non-Hispanic White was positively associated with depression among 50-64 years old (=0.07, P<0.001) and 65 years or older (=0.08, P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Age-tailored education on determining accurate and reliable information shared via SNS is needed to reduce depressive symptoms.

scholarly journals Survey of young people in one region of the UK on accessing COVID-19 information (SOCIAL)

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. e000942
Author(s):  
Oliver G P Lawton ◽  
Sarah A Lawton ◽  
Lisa Dikomitis ◽  
Joanne Protheroe ◽  
Joanne Smith ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Young People ◽  
Significant Role ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Descriptive Statistics ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Education Gaps ◽  
The Uk

COVID-19 has significantly impacted young people’s lives yet little is known about the COVID-19 related sources of information they access. We performed a cross-sectional survey of pupils (11–16 years) in North Staffordshire, UK. 408 (23%) pupils responded to an online survey emailed to them by their school. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise the data. Social media, accessed by 68%, played a significant role in the provision of information, despite it not being considered trustworthy. 89% felt that COVID-19 had negatively affected their education. Gaps in the provision of information on COVID-19 have been identified.

scholarly journals Psychosocial Factors, Smoke-Free Restrictions, and Media Exposure in Relation to Smoking-Related Attitudes and Behaviors among Adults in Armenia and Georgia

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (8) ◽  
pp. 4013
Author(s):  
Christina N. Wysota ◽  
Marina Topuridze ◽  
Zhanna Sargsyan ◽  
Ana Dekanosidze ◽  
Lela Sturua ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Smoking Status ◽  
Media Exposure ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Quit Attempts ◽  
Multivariable Regression ◽  
Readiness To Quit ◽  
Perceived Harm

Background: Perceived harm, social influences, smoke-free policies, and media exposure have been understudied in relation to tobacco-related attitudes/behaviors in aggregate or in low and middle-income countries; thus, this study examined these factors collectively in relation to smoking-related outcomes among Armenian and Georgian adults. Methods: Using 2018 cross-sectional survey data (n = 1456), multivariable regression analyses examined these factors in relation to smoking status, perceived harm among nonsmokers, and readiness to quit and past-year quit attempts among smokers. Results: Significant predictors (p < 0.05) of current smoking (27.3%) included lower perceived harm, more smoking friends, and fewer home and vehicle restrictions. Among nonsmokers, more home and restaurant/bar restrictions, fewer vehicle restrictions, greater anti-tobacco media exposure, and less pro-tobacco media exposure predicted greater perceived harm. Among smokers, greater perceived social acceptability of smoking, less anti-tobacco media exposure, and greater pro-tobacco media exposure predicted readiness to quit (12.7% of smokers). More smoking friends, more home restrictions, less anti-tobacco media exposure, and greater pro-tobacco media exposure predicted past-year quit attempts (19.2%). Conclusions: Findings support the importance of smoke-free policies but were counterintuitive regarding the roles of social and media influences, underscoring the need to better understand how to address these influences, particularly in countries with high smoking rates.

scholarly journals A Survey on Topics Rating for the Undergraduate and Diploma in Environmental Health

SAGE Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 215824401881104
Author(s):  
Kamaruddin Arshad ◽  
Qi Ying Lean ◽  
Long Chiau Ming ◽  
Sundara Rajan Mahalingam ◽  
Chua Say Tiong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Health ◽  
Survey Design ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
High Exposure ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Tertiary Institutions ◽  
Current Content ◽  
Level Of Importance

Environmental health (EH) is the study of environment and environmental factors affecting the health of human. Identifying the most relevant and up-to-date and updated teaching topics of EH programs is vital to ensure competent practitioners are nurtured. Thus, this study aimed to attain the view of current content of EH programs for EH professionals and intended to recommend topics necessary for education and practice. The level of importance of current and newly proposed topics for EH courses at diploma and bachelor’s level was assessed using a cross-sectional survey design. Practicing EH programs graduates were invited via social media and e-mails to participate in the survey. The respondents were asked to rank the importance of different EH topics based on 5-point Likert-type scale. Descriptive statistics were employed to report the importance of EH curricula at Malaysian tertiary institutions. It was found that between diploma’s and bachelor’s level, the bachelor’s graduates were expected to have high exposure in existing topics such as vector control management, legislation for EH and safety, health and safety risk assessment, as well as newly proposed topics including critical literature evaluation and innovation in creating awareness activities. The findings from this survey could serve as a guide to improvise EH curricula to ensure the EH programs continue to produce students with the necessary skills, knowledge, and competencies.

scholarly journals “It Is Like Medicine”: Using Sports to Promote Adult Women’s Health in Rural Kenya

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 2347
Author(s):  
Francis Barchi ◽  
Millan A. AbiNader ◽  
Samantha C. Winter ◽  
Lena M. Obara ◽  
Daniel Mbogo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Access To Health Care ◽  
Sleep Problems ◽  
Health Benefits ◽  
Adult Women ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Aerobic Activity ◽  
Effective Interventions ◽  
Rural Kenya

Despite the well-documented health benefits of recreational sports, few opportunities exist in lower- and middle-income countries for adult women to participate in recreational physical activities. An explanatory sequential mixed methods approach was used to explore associations between an innovative soccer program for adult women and self-reported health status. Cross-sectional survey data were collected in 2018–2019 from 702 women in the Nikumbuke Project, a health and literacy program in southeastern rural Kenya, followed by focus group discussions with 225 women who also participated in the Project’s soccer program. Quantitative findings suggest that women who participated in soccer had 67% greater odds of reporting good or excellent health than their non-soccer playing peers. Thematic analysis of qualitative data indicated that women credited soccer with less pain, fatigue, and stress, as well as weight loss and reduced dependence on medicine for hypertension, pain, and sleep problems. Women equated health benefits with greater ease and efficiency in completing chores, reduced worries, youthful energy, male-like strength, and pleased husbands. Soccer programs for adult women may be particularly effective interventions in settings where access to health care is limited and where lack of opportunity to engage in physical aerobic activity increases women’s risks for poor health outcomes.

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