Mapping automatic social media information disorder. The role of bots and AI in spreading misleading information in society

PLoS ONE, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 19(5), P. e0303183 - e0303183

Published: May 31, 2024

This paper presents an analysis on information disorder in social media platforms. The study employed methods such as Natural Language Processing, Topic Modeling, and Knowledge Graph building to gain new insights into the phenomenon of fake news its impact critical thinking knowledge management. focused four research questions: 1) distribution misinformation, disinformation, malinformation across different platforms; 2) recurring themes their visibility; 3) role artificial intelligence authoritative and/or spreader agent; 4) strategies for combating disorder. AI was highlighted, both a tool fact-checking truthiness identification bots, potential amplifier false narratives. Strategies proposed include improving digital literacy skills promoting among users.

Language: Английский

---

Defining Misinformation and Related Terms in Health-Related Literature: Scoping Review

Journal of Medical Internet Research, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 25, P. e45731 - e45731

Published: Aug. 9, 2023

Misinformation poses a serious challenge to clinical and policy decision-making in the health field. The COVID-19 pandemic amplified interest misinformation related terms witnessed proliferation of definitions.

Language: Английский

---

“Black People Listen to Black People”: Strategies to Improve COVID-19 Vaccine Confidence Among Black People Living in Canada

COVID, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 5(4), P. 45 - 45

Published: March 24, 2025

Background: Compared to other groups of Canadians, Black people have been significantly more affected by COVID-19 and appear be hesitant receive the vaccine. This article identifies approaches or strategies increase vaccine confidence uptake among in Canada. Methods: Thirty-six diverse ethnicities, aged 18 years above, living six provinces across Canada were interviewed. An inductive thematic approach was employed analyze interview data. Results: Building trust at center identified spoke meaningful practical ways sociocultural realities can used inform implement most effective health interventions. Identified include public education, building through Black-led community engagement, addressing barriers convenience focusing on literacy communication. Together, these consider nuance message, diversity messenger(s), communication channels call for a move away from generic promotion messages tailored communications grounded expertise experiences all levels healthcare service provision. Conclusions: Health must acknowledge difference, tailor target audiences, foster lasting collaborations informed members community. Government agencies providers should relationships established during pandemic, document lessons learned, remove systemic healthcare, create an emergency preparedness guide engagement

Language: Английский

---

Exploring vaccination attitudes in African communities in Canada: A mixed-methods study protocol

PLoS ONE, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 20(4), P. e0319584 - e0319584

Published: April 28, 2025

Introduction Vaccine hesitancy is a complex issue influenced by many interacting factors. While literature on its contributing causes continues to expand, there limited research the contextual and cultural dynamics that shape vaccine among African-born individuals in Canada. Identifying understanding these factors critical developing targeted health interventions address specific barriers vaccination within this community. The study aims explore unique socio-cultural context-specific elements of African community members living Methods analysis will use mixed-methods approach investigate Southwestern Ontario. In qualitative study, we conduct semi-structured interviews participatory focus groups each selected areas: London, Windsor Chatham-Kent. data be collected, transcribed then analyzed thematically using NVivo 12. For quantitative provide participants with surveys accurately assess predictors hesitancy. logistic regression how influences, trust, accessible information impact Discussion This addresses significant gap existing providing insights drivers individuals. Using mix-method design, offers rich influences shaping decision-making. findings support development policies aimed at improving overall outcomes for communities

Language: Английский

---

Usability and Credibility of a COVID-19 Vaccine Chatbot for Young Adults and Health Workers in the United States: Formative Mixed Methods Study

JMIR Human Factors, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 10, P. e40533 - e40533

Published: Nov. 20, 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic raised novel challenges in communicating reliable, continually changing health information to a broad and sometimes skeptical public, particularly around vaccines, which, despite being comprehensively studied, were the subject of viral misinformation. Chatbots are promising technology reach engage populations during pandemic. To inform communicate effectively with users, chatbots must be highly usable credible.We sought understand how young adults workers United States assessed usability credibility web-based chatbot called Vira, created by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School Public Health IBM Research using natural language processing technology. Using mixed method approach, we rapidly improve Vira's user experience support vaccine decision-making peak pandemic.We recruited racially ethnically diverse people workers, both groups from urban areas States. We used validated Chatbot Usability Questionnaire tool's navigation, precision, persona. also conducted 11 interviews experience, whether they perceived as confidential trustworthy, would use chatbot. coded categorized emerging themes determining factors for participants' assessment credibility.In all, 58 participants completed questionnaire in-depth interviews. Most respondents said was "easy navigate" (51/58, 88%) "very easy use" (50/58, 86%), many (45/58, 78%) its responses relevant. mean score 70.2 (SD 12.1) scores ranged 40.6 95.3. Interview felt achieved high due strong functionality, performance, confidentiality that could attain redesign cartoonish visual Young discuss vaccination hesitant friends or family members, whereas anticipated community outreach, save time, stay up date.This formative study pandemic's provided feedback an iterative Vira. approach multidimensional feedback, identifying worked well-being use, answering questions appropriately, credible branding-while offering tangible steps product's design. Future studies should evaluate personal decision-making, context public emergency, such outreach tools can reduce staff burnout. Randomized measure countering misinformation affect knowledge, attitudes, behavior.

Language: Английский

---

What contributes to COVID-19 online disinformation among Black Canadians: a qualitative study

CMAJ Open, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 11(3), P. E389 - E396

Published: May 1, 2023

Background:

Black Canadians are disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and literature suggests that online disinformation misinformation contribute to higher rates of SARS-CoV-2 infection vaccine hesitancy in communities Canada. Through stakeholder interviews, we sought describe nature among identify factors contributing this phenomenon.

Methods:

We conducted purposive sampling followed snowball completed in-depth qualitative interviews with stakeholders insights into impact communities. analyzed data using content analysis, drawing on analytical resources from intersectionality theory.

Results:

The (n = 30, 20 purposively sampled 10 recruited way sampling) reported sharing Canadian communities, involving social media interaction family, friends community members information shared prominent figures platforms such as WhatsApp Facebook. Our analysis shows poor communication, cultural religious factors, distrust health care systems governments contributed

Interpretation:

findings suggest racism underlying systemic discrimination against immensely catalyzed spread across Canada, which exacerbated inequities people experienced. As such, collaborative interventions understand challenges within relay about vaccines could address hesitancy.

Language: Английский

---

Experiences of Governments and Public Health Agencies Regarding Crisis Communication During the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Digital Age: Protocol for a Systematic Review of Qualitative Studies

JMIR Research Protocols, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 13, P. e58040 - e58040

Published: June 27, 2024

Governments and public health agencies worldwide experienced difficulties with social media-mediated infodemics on the internet during COVID-19 pandemic. Existing crisis communication strategies need to be updated. However, experiences of governments pandemic have not been systematically compiled, necessitating updated strategies.

Language: Английский

---

Innovation for infection prevention and control—revisiting Pasteur's vision

The Lancet, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 400(10369), P. 2250 - 2260

Published: Dec. 1, 2022

Language: Английский

---

COVID-19 Immunization Coverage Among People With Sickle Cell Disease

JAMA Network Open, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 7(1), P. e2351618 - e2351618

Published: Jan. 8, 2024

This cross-sectional study compares the completion of primary COVID-19 vaccine series in Michigan residents with vs without sickle cell disease and by age group.

Language: Английский

---

Lessons Learned From TranslateCovid, a Multilingual Online Resource Hub for Asian American and Pacific Islander Communities and Beyond

Public Health Reports, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 139(6), P. 647 - 653

Published: April 8, 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated health disparities among immigrant communities. Delivering accurate information and addressing misinformation on protective measures vaccination to linguistically disadvantaged groups was critical for mitigating the effects of pandemic. One group that especially vulnerable miscommunication about non-native English-speaking immigrants. To address these disparities, Asian American Studies Center Fielding School Public Health at University California, Los Angeles, partnered create a multilingual resource hub, TranslateCovid.org, disseminate credible reliable safety measures, science behind vaccines, vaccine safety. We identified >1300 verified resources in 60 languages from government, academic, nonprofit organizations reposted them TranslateCovid website. also developed public service announcement videos handwashing, use face masks, social distancing 10 fact sheet frequently asked questions 20 languages. used participatory approach develop strategies disseminating resources. discuss lessons learned, including forming community, academic partnerships support timely development dissemination information. conclude with discussion unique role universities promoting equitable access communities times crisis.

Language: Английский

---