Systematic evaluation of COVID-19 related Internet health rumors during the breaking out period of COVID-19 in China

Abstract

Background: To adapt the scientific evaluation tool for the confusion evaluation of health rumors and to test this tool to the confusion evaluation of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related health rumors on Chinese online platforms during the outbreak period of COVID-19in China. Methods: The design of our study was systematic evaluation of COVID-19-related health rumors. Retrieved from 7 rumor-repellent platforms, rumors about COVID-19 were collected during the publication from December 1, 2019, to February 6, 2020, and their origins were traced. Researchers evaluated rumors using the confusion evaluation tool in 6 dimensions(creators, evidence selection, evidence evaluation, evidence application, backing and publication platform, conflict of interest). Items were scored using a seven-point Likert scale. The scores were converted into percentages, and the median of rumors from different sources was compared with rank-sum test. Results: Our research included 127 rumors. Scores were converted to percentages, median and interquartile range are used to describe the data. The median score: creators 25.00%(interquartile range, IQR, 16.67-37.50%), evidence selection 27.78% (IQR, 13.89-44.44%),evidence evaluation 33.33% (IQR, 25.00-45.83%), evidence application 36.11% (IQR, 22.22-47.22%), backing and publication platform 8.33% (IQR, 4.17-20.83%), conflict of interest75.00% (IQR, 50.00-83.33%). Almost 40% rumors came from WeChat and the rumors with the lowest scores were concentrated on the WeChat platform. The rumors about prevention methods have relatively lower scores. Conclusion: Most rumors included were not highly confusing for evaluators of this project.WeChat is the "worst-hit area" of COVID-19 related health rumors. More than half rumors focus on the description of prevention methods, which reflects the panic, anxiety and blind conformity of the public under public health emergencies.

How can the collaborative participation of regulators, whistleblowers, and parties effectively promote rumor management in public health emergencies?

“…In current practice, rumor management of public health emergencies mainly starts with regulators and media, using traditional means such as deleting posts, dispelling rumors and media guidance ( 8 ). And the public often tends to search for more information to reduce uncertainty in a chaotic environment, which leads to the great spread of rumors ( 10 , 11 ). Numerous studies have indicated the pronounced significance of stakeholder-oriented governance concerning rumors within the domain of public health incidents ( 12 ).…”

Cyber-Syndrome: Concept, Theoretical Characterization, and Control Mechanism

“…When it comes to thinking space, people with Cyber-Syndrome are more likely to feel loneliness, depression, and anxiety. For example, Shekar and Aravantagi [34] pointed out that there was a strong relationship between overwhelming online information and anxiety. The easily available online information played a catalytic role in anxiety particularly during COVID-19.…”

Hot Topic Recognition of Health Rumors Based on Anti-Rumor Articles on the WeChat Official Account Platform: Topic Modeling

“…The World Health Organization carried out a series of communication campaigns to combat the spread of misinformation on the spread of the COVID-19 disease and the information epidemic in 2021 [13][14][15]. In particular, among rumors generated by public health crises, the proportion of health rumors is higher and the social impact is more serious [16]. In China, epidemic-related rumors in 2020, including "COVID-19 is a biological weapon" and "Shuang-Huang oral liquid can treat COVID-19," consecutively emerged on social media platforms, including WeChat and Weibo, and subsequently filled the cyberspace, causing panic to the public [17].…”