The causes, impacts and countermeasures of COVID-19 “Infodemic”: A systematic review using narrative synthesis

Pian, Wenjing; Chi, Jianxing; Ma, Feicheng

doi:10.1016/j.ipm.2021.102713

Cited by 129 publications

(100 citation statements)

References 269 publications

(407 reference statements)

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“…Among the recommended measures to tackle these problems, they suggest improvements in education (especially science education, numeracy and critical thinking), and the identification of the groups most vulnerable to misinformation for which action should be prioritized. In [ 23 ], it is suggested that governments provide clear information via official channels to reduce public anxiety and increase trust, as well as taking action against the spread of false information. It also suggests that social media platforms should apply more stringent censorship of pandemic-related misinformation.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Misinformation can prevent the suppression of epidemics

Sontag

Rogers

Yates

2022

J. R. Soc. Interface.

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The effectiveness of non-pharmaceutical interventions, such as mask-wearing and social distancing, as control measures for pandemic disease relies upon a conscientious and well-informed public who are aware of and prepared to follow advice. Unfortunately, public health messages can be undermined by competing misinformation and conspiracy theories, spread virally through communities that are already distrustful of expert opinion. In this article, we propose and analyse a simple model of the interaction between disease spread and awareness dynamics in a heterogeneous population composed of both trusting individuals who seek better quality information and will take precautionary measures, and distrusting individuals who reject better quality information and have overall riskier behaviour. We show that, as the density of the distrusting population increases, the model passes through a phase transition to a state in which major outbreaks cannot be suppressed. Our work highlights the urgent need for effective interventions to increase trust and inform the public.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Misinformation can prevent the suppression of epidemics

Sontag

Rogers

Yates

2022

J. R. Soc. Interface.

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“…Social media messages compounded politicization of the virus. 23 , 24 Stories that circulated widely on social media included false claims (such as transmission of coronavirus through mosquito bites), conspiracy theories (the virus is spread by 5G towers) and pseudoscientific health therapies (eating garlic or drinking bleach can cure the disease). 25 The speed and extent of this spread of false information via social media has been characterized as a kind of epidemic itself: a “misinfodemic.” 26 Partisan differences in response …”

Section: How Did the Covid-19 Virus Itself Become Politicized?mentioning

confidence: 99%

Politicization and COVID-19 vaccine resistance in the U.S.

Bolsen

Palm

2022

Progress in Molecular Biology and Translational Science

145

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“…Previous global studies have confirmed the residents’ concern about the epidemic information [ 19 ], and some studies have examined the impact of information disclosure on authenticity screening [ 20 ]. Some studies have focused on channels [ 21 ] and countermeasures [ 22 ], but there is no research to observe the timeliness of information disclosure from the perspective of residents. Currently COVID-19 epidemic has been controlled and China has entered a period of low transmission [ 23 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Timeliness of information disclosure during the low transmission period of COVID-19: resident-level observational study in China

et al. 2022

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Background Only when people feel they have received timely disclosure will they have sufficient incentive to implement community prevention and control measures. The timely and standardized information published by authorities as a response to the crisis can better inform the public and enable better preparations for the pandemic during the low transmission period of COVID-19; however, there is limited evidence of whether people consent that information is disclosed timely and influencing factors. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted in China from 4 to 26 February 2021. Convenient sampling strategy was adopted to recruit participators. Participants were asked to filled out the questions that assessed questionnaire on the residents’ attitudes to information disclosure timely. A binary logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the risk factors affecting the residents’ attitudes. Results A total of 2361 residents filled out the questionnaire. 1704 (72.17%) consented COVID-19 information has been disclosed timely. Furthermore, age (OR = 0.093, 95%CI = 0.043 ~ 0.201), gender (OR = 1.396, 95%CI = 1.085 ~ 1.797), place of residence (OR = 0.650, 95%CI = 0.525 ~ 0.804), employed status (OR = 2.757, 95%CI = 1.598 ~ 4.756), highest educational level (OR = 0.394, 95%CI = 0.176 ~ 0.880), region (OR = 0.561, 95%CI = 0.437 ~ 0.720) and impact on life by the COVID-19 (OR = 0.482, 95%CI = 0.270 ~ 0.861) were mainly factors associated with residents’ attitudes. Conclusions The aims of this study were to evaluate the residents attitudes to information disclosure timely during the low transmission period in China and to provide a scientific basis for effective information communication in future public health crises. Timely and effective efforts to disclose information need to been made during the low transmission period. Continued improvements to local authority reporting will contribute to more effective public communication and efficient public health research responses. The development of protocols and the standardization of epidemic message templates—as well as the use of uniform operating procedures to provide regular information updates—should be prioritized to ensure a coordinated national response.

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The causes, impacts and countermeasures of COVID-19 “Infodemic”: A systematic review using narrative synthesis

Cited by 129 publications

References 269 publications

Misinformation can prevent the suppression of epidemics

Misinformation can prevent the suppression of epidemics

Politicization and COVID-19 vaccine resistance in the U.S.

Timeliness of information disclosure during the low transmission period of COVID-19: resident-level observational study in China

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