The Behaviour of Health Faculty Students Responding to Hoaxes Related Covid-19 on Social Media

Abstract

Background: Hoax is still a problem in the era of information disclosure and technological advances currently. News or information containing hoax related to Covid-19 affects the handling effort of the Covid-19 pandemic. This research aimed to describe the behavior of health faculty students in responding to the hoaxes associated with Covid-19 on social media. Method: This research was a descriptive study. The sampling technique used was random sampling. The samples were 384 students who were required to complete the questionnaire. The statistical test used was descriptive statistical analysis. Results: The results obtained in this study were that respondents considered Facebook as the most widely used social media for spreading hoaxes (68%). Respondents thought that cross-checking the accuracy and validity of information is a step that should be performed when receiving hoax news (85%). Respondents stated that they dug up information through official government websites regarding the handling of Covid-19 to check the statement's truth (65%). Some respondents did not cross-check the news or information related to Covid-19 due to the assumption that someone else had done it. Conclusion: Most respondents have cross-checked news or information about Covid-19. Extracting information through official government websites on handling Covid-19 has also been taken to check the accuracy and validity of the statement.

Development of Digital Health Literacy Instruments for Students of the Faculty of Health Science, Universitas Dian Nuswantoro

“…Based on the findings, 28.1% of students still find it difficult to assess the quality and reliability of health information, and students with a limited level of digital health literacy will more often use social media to find health information [23]. In addition, health students also, when receiving health information, will have different responses there are 41.9% do not check the truth of health information because they feel that someone has reviewed it before [24]. These reasons illustrate how health students use digital health literacy skills.…”

Digital Health Literacy Competencies of Students in Faculty of Health Science

“…Based respondents, or 58% of the health faculty students studied, found that respondents received hoaxes related to COVID-19 through written and image forms [4]. Of the 15 health faculty students who had spread hoax news related to Covid-19, friends were the most targeted for spreading hoaxes, namely 13 respondents or 87% [5]. Another way that digital literacy competencies can do is to improve digital literacy skills.…”

“…Health faculty students are considered to have good knowledge and access to information on health issues [5]. Faculty of Health Science.…”