Infodemic Management Using Digital Information and Knowledge Cocreation to Address COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy: Case Study From Ghana (Preprint)

Abstract

BACKGROUND Infodemic management is an integral part of pandemic management. The Ghana Health Services (GHS) together with the UNICEF Country Office have developed a systematic process that effectively identifies, analyses, and responds to COVID-19 and vaccine-related misinformation in Ghana. OBJECTIVE This paper describes the infodemic management system in Ghana and explains how the system is implemented to support COVID-19 vaccine rollout programming in Ghana. METHODS The infodemic management system is based on collecting social media data through a digital platform (Talkwalker), analysis of the data, and review of the findings by experts, followed by verification of the findings and knowledge co-creation of appropriate infodemic responses through a multisectoral task force. The system is based on four steps: 1) social listening to identify misinformation, 2) risk assessment and proposal for appropriate responses by experts, 3) verification and knowledge co-creation of appropriate responses, and 4) implementation of infodemic responses. RESULTS Data was based on COVID-19 social media public posts and online resources identified by UNICEF Talkwalker in Ghana during the period of May-November 2021. The demographics of those whose posts on Talkwalker identified are 25-34 years old, 70% male and 30% female. The Talkwalker system detected different kinds of fake information including misinformation, disinformation and posts that could potentially reduce public trust towards the health systems and the COVID-19 vaccination program. CONCLUSIONS The Ghanaian infodemic management system is a functional and sustained system that is able to develop culturally appropriate infodemic responses that can be replicated in other countries in the world. CLINICALTRIAL NA