The Impact of Media on Public Health Awareness Concerning the Use of Natural Remedies Against the COVID-19 Outbreak in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has caused major health system problems and has fueled the emergence of various misinformation regarding preventive measures. The current study was conducted to evaluate the effect of media on raising the level of health awareness of Saudi Arabian populations regarding the medical misinformation about the use of natural remedies against COVID-19. Methods This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted anonymously in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia between May 1st and June 30, 2020. The sample size was calculated using version-3.0 of OpenEpi. An 11-item questionnaire was designed to assess the effect of media on raising the level of health awareness of the population regarding the medical misinformation about the use of natural remedies during this pandemic. Results Among 1300 participants, nearly half (55.4%) reported having watched the Saudi Ministry of Health’s (MOH) broadcasted awareness videos. Social media (78.9%) was the main media platform on which they accessed these videos, followed by television (14.9%), and the Internet (6.2%). The MOH’s awareness videos had a positive effect on 69.5% of participants, who reported a change in their attitudes toward natural remedies and discontinuing the use of them as preventive medicine. The most discontinued natural remedies after watching the awareness videos were gargling with salt water (32.1%), followed by myrrh (17.6%), and garlic (12.9%). Positive effects were greater among participants with a low than high education level. Conclusion The findings of the current study indicate that the Saudi MOH’s usage of social media channels has had a positive effect on the level of public health awareness concerning the reliability of natural remedies used during the pandemic. However, more research is needed to validate how social media networks can be used in a cross-cultural context to enhance health awareness and adaptation to healthy behaviors.

Prevalence and Perception Among Saudi Arabian Population About Resharing of Information on Social Media Regarding Natural Remedies as Protective Measures Against COVID-19

“…The apparently docile nature of COVID-19 related information recirculation in Saudi Arabian social media platforms is a positive indicator that the general population are aware of the necessary sources, such as the Ministry of Health in Saudi Arabia for getting their information. 36,37 However, consistent with the findings of other studies regarding judging the validity of information on social media platforms, the Saudi Arabian general population are more likely to judge the validity of information based on their own experience, and deem it beneficial for the public to share COVID-19 related information sans evidence. 10,[16][17][18][19][20][21] Thus, it can be posited that Saudi Arabian general population's perception of COVID-19 related information circulating on social media platforms is of a neutral disposition.…”

Fear of COVID-19 and the Media Influence on Herbal Medication Use in Uganda: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…Our results as well as those of a study conducted in Saudi Arabia 16 showed that media was the main source of information from which more than 80% of the participants reported to have seen or accessed messages about herbal medication use. Media further increased the use of herbal medication in 65% of the participants which is consistent with what studies by Alotiby et al 14 and Alyami et al 4 reported that the biggest motivators for participants to pursue herbal products were Media and the Internet. 4 , 14 However, the majority of participants in our study reported that they would hold information from the Ministry of Health and WHO with high regard a finding consistent with that of Kwok et al 29 and Alotiby et al 14 In this respect, policymakers and health workers could use this opportunity to disseminate the right information to the public regarding the safe use of herbal remedies.…”

“…Media further increased the use of herbal medication in 65% of the participants which is consistent with what studies by Alotiby et al 14 and Alyami et al 4 reported that the biggest motivators for participants to pursue herbal products were Media and the Internet. 4,14 However, the majority of participants in our study reported that they would hold information from the Ministry of Health and WHO with high regard a finding consistent with that of Kwok et al 29 and Alotiby et al 14 In this respect, policymakers and health workers could use this opportunity to disseminate the right information to the public regarding the safe use of herbal remedies. 30 The current study revealed a mean FCV-19S score of 21.7 (SD=5.9, median=21).…”

“…A validated 5-item tool 14 was used to evaluate the influence of media on herbal medicines use in the general population during the COVID-19 pandemic. The first question asked the participants if they have accessed media awareness messages correcting the misinformation about using natural remedies (herbs and food supplements) as preventive medicine.…”

Media and COVID-19 vaccine negligence in India

“…Broadcasting positive news during the pandemic may bring behavioral changes in people (Shekhar, 2021). Media can improve public health, mental awareness, and bring good behavioral changes (Alotiby, 2021). Promoting more positive news regarding successful vaccinations camps -as well as highlighting interviews as regards standard operating procedures (SOP) of administering vaccines and assurances of monitoring the vaccination drives can boost public morale.…”