Social media exposure, risk perception, preventive behaviors and attitudes during the COVID-19 epidemic in La Paz, Bolivia: A cross sectional study

Rivas, Diana Reyna Zeballos; Jaldin, Marinalda Lidia Lopez; Canaviri, Blanca Nina; Escalante, Luisa Fabiola Portugal; Fernández, Ángela María Clara Alanes; Ticona, Juan P. Aguilar

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0245859

Cited by 117 publications

(104 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…Attitudes toward COVID-19 were also better among HCWs who got information from social media, followed by WHO websites. This is in line with a study that showed that social media exposure to COVID-19 information influences the adoption of preventive attitudes and behaviors through shaping risk perception [ 26 ]. Thus, understanding the role of social media during the pandemic could help policy makers and communicators to develop better communication strategies that enable HCWs to adopt appropriate attitudes and behaviors.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding COVID-19 Among Health Care Workers in Public Health Facilities in Eastern Ethiopia: Cross-sectional Survey Study

Farah¹,

Nour²,

Obsiye³

et al. 2021

JMIR Form Res

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Background On March 13, 2020, Ethiopia reported the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Addis Ababa. COVID-19 is likely to overwhelm an already-fragile health care delivery system and reduce the availability of essential health services. This analysis of data from the Somali Region of Eastern Ethiopia on health care workers’ (HCWs) knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding the prevention and control of COVID-19 may be used in planning health education programs about the emerging viral disease. Objective This study aimed to investigate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of HCWs regarding COVID-19 infection. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted among HCWs in three public health facilities in the Somali Region, Eastern Ethiopia. A self-administered questionnaire was shared with all HCWs working at the public health facilities. A total of 15 knowledge questions were scored as 1 or 0 for correct or incorrect responses, respectively. A total of 14 practice questions were scored on a 3-point scale from 1 (“always”) to 3 (“never”). A total of six attitude questions were rated on a 5-point Likert scale, in a negative dimension, as follows: 1 (“strongly agree”), 2 (“agree”), 3 (“neutral”), 4 (“disagree”), and 5 (“strongly disagree”). Mean scores were calculated and used as a cut point to dichotomize the outcome variables (>13.7 indicated good knowledge, <18.8 indicated good practices, and ≤10.5 indicated favorable attitudes). We used t tests and analyses of variance (ie, F tests) to analyze the mean score differences of knowledge, attitudes, and practices between the independent variables. Spearman correlation was used to assess the relationship between mean knowledge and attitude scores. Results Of the 686 HCWs approached, a total of 434 HCWs responded (63.3% response rate). The mean age of the participants was 27.6 (SD 5.3) years, and the majority of the participants were male (293/434, 67.5%). The mean knowledge score was 13.7 (SD 2.6), and 73.3% (318/434) of participants had sufficient knowledge. The mean attitude score was 10.5 (SD 4.1), and 54.8% (238/434) of the participants had a good attitude toward COVID-19. The mean practice score was 18.8 (SD 5.8), and 61.5% (267/434) of the participants practiced precautionary measures to prevent COVID-19. There was a negative correlation between knowledge and attitude scores (r=–0.295, P<.001) and between knowledge and practice scores (r=–0.298, P<.001). Conclusions The overall levels of knowledge and practice were relatively better than the attitude level. This highlights the need to implement strategies that enhance the positive attitudes and safe practices of the HCWs for better containment of the pandemic and supporting of essential health care services.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding COVID-19 Among Health Care Workers in Public Health Facilities in Eastern Ethiopia: Cross-sectional Survey Study

Farah¹,

Nour²,

Obsiye³

et al. 2021

JMIR Form Res

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“…The reason for social media been the dominant sources of the vaccine messages is not farfetched bearing in mind the popularity of the social media for information dissemination in contemporary times. The study also collaborates with the study of Zeballos et al 44 which found that social media exposure to COVID-19 information influences the adoption of preventive attitudes and behaviors through shaping risk perception. This is in contrast with the study conducted by Al-Marshoudi et al 25 in Omani community's which found that their willingness to take COVID-19 vaccine can be enhanced by utilizing social media and community influencers to spread awareness about the vaccine's safety and efficacy.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 71%

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 71%

“…33 Researchers have adduced reasons behind spreading of rumors, fake news, refusal of vaccine acceptance and vaccine hesitancy globally with regard to COVID-19 vaccine. [34][35][36][37][38] Thus, reasons such as: Vaccine susceptibility, risk perception, and reaction [39][40][41][42][43][44] certain religious beliefs, lack of knowledge and awareness. [45][46][47][48][49] Likewise other reasons from Nigeria setting and other countries, such as poor health literacy 50,51 conflicts and insecurities, 52 distrust in governments and firms that manufacture the vaccines 49,[53][54][55][56][57][58][59] remain a serious challenge.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Communicating COVID-19 Vaccine Safety: Knowledge and Attitude Among Residents of South East, Nigeria

Anorue¹,

Ugwu²,

Ugboaja³

et al. 2021

IDR

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Background:The fight against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), which has continued to threaten human existence globally, has led to the development of vaccines in order to control the rate of infection and death associated with the disease. Media messages on the COVID-19 vaccine are geared towards raising audience awareness and understanding of health risks, knowledge and attitudes about the vaccine safety. Objective: The study examined the knowledge and attitude towards COVID-19 vaccine safety media messages amongst residents of South East, Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 399 respondents (18-47 years) in both urban and rural communities of South East, Nigeria from May 6th to July 4th, 2021. The survey was carried out using structured self administered questionnaire containing the respondents' demographics, knowledge and attitudes towards media messages regarding COVID-19 vaccine safety. The data were analysed using the SPSS version 26 software. Result was presented in frequencies, percentages and charts showing the interrelatedness of the variables examined. Regression ANOVA was used to test hypotheses on the extent to which level of exposure to COVID-19 media messages predict their knowledge and attitude towards COVID-19 vaccine safety at P<0.05 level of significance. Results: Data indicate respondents are apprehensive of taking the COVID-19 vaccine. Approximately, 91% of respondents are between the ages of 18 and 27 years. Meanwhile, 26.1% of the respondents agreed that media messages on COVID-19 vaccine is very assuring and convincing as regards human safety; 42.4% disagreed on the safety of COVID-19 vaccine safety messages; 26.1% rated vaccine messages as moderate as regards human safety, while 5.5% rated the vaccine messages as poor. Knowledge of respondents regarding the safety of the vaccine was low and respondents' attitude was negative in South East, Nigeria. The implication is indicative of the failure of the main stream media in educating the general public on pertinent health issues relevant to them. Conclusion: Knowledge regarding media messages on COVID-19 vaccine safety is low. Messages on COVID-19 vaccine safety were not sufficient and convincing. Consequently, there is a negative attitude towards the vaccine. Hence, improving knowledge and adoptive attitude amongst respondents amidst COVID-19 is critical.

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“…We adapted this measure from previous studies (Choi et al, 2017;Oh et al, 2020;Rivas, 2021). Respondents were asked the question, "How often do you see information about COVID-19 when using social media like Facebook, Twitter, Blogs, or Youtube?"…”

Section: Social Media Exposurementioning

confidence: 99%

Social Media Use and Covid-19 Risk Perception Among Nigerians: The Roles of Affects, Gender and Information Sources

Erubami¹,

Bebenimibo²,

Ugwuoke³

2021

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Social media technologies have become significant sources of public health information, especially in times of infectious disease outbreaks such as COVID-19. Using online survey data collected from social media users in Nigeria, this study investigates the influence of social media exposure for COVID-19 risk information on risk perception and affective responses towards the outbreak of COVID-19. It also explores gender and information sources' roles in the construction of perceived risk towards the pandemic. Findings showed that social media exposure tends to significantly influence risk perception, fear, and anger towards COVID-19, which varies across gender. However, social media's COVID-19 information sources are not significant predictors of public risk perception and affective responses towards COVID-19. Therefore, public health stakeholders should ensure correct health information to reduce panic and increase volitional control in public during risky situations.

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Social media exposure, risk perception, preventive behaviors and attitudes during the COVID-19 epidemic in La Paz, Bolivia: A cross sectional study

Cited by 117 publications

References 27 publications

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding COVID-19 Among Health Care Workers in Public Health Facilities in Eastern Ethiopia: Cross-sectional Survey Study

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding COVID-19 Among Health Care Workers in Public Health Facilities in Eastern Ethiopia: Cross-sectional Survey Study

Communicating COVID-19 Vaccine Safety: Knowledge and Attitude Among Residents of South East, Nigeria

Social Media Use and Covid-19 Risk Perception Among Nigerians: The Roles of Affects, Gender and Information Sources

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