A REVIEW OF HEALTH MISINFORMATION ON DIGITAL PLATFORMS: CHALLENGES AND COUNTERMEASURES

International Journal of Applied Research in Social Sciences, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 6(1), С. 23 - 36

Опубликована: Янв. 2, 2024

Health misinformation on digital platforms is a growing global concern, influencing individual health decisions, public outcomes, and trust in healthcare systems. This review explores misinformation's types, sources, challenges, highlighting its diverse manifestations societal impact. Countermeasures encompass regulatory frameworks, ethical content moderation, literacy initiatives. Future directions emphasize interdisciplinary collaboration, leveraging artificial intelligence, tailoring interventions for audiences. As we confront the evolving landscape of misinformation, collective commitment to research, education, cooperation emerges as cornerstone building resilient informed society. Keywords: Misinformation, Digital Platforms, Countermeasures, Literacy, Interdisciplinary Collaboration.

Язык: Английский

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The Future of Infodemic Surveillance as Public Health Surveillance

Emerging infectious diseases, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 28(13)

Опубликована: Окт. 1, 2022

Public health systems need to be able detect and respond infodemics (outbreaks of misinformation, disinformation, information overload, or voids). Drawing from our experience at the US Centers for Disease Control Prevention, COVID-19 State Vaccine Confidence Insight Reporting System has been created as one first public infodemic surveillance systems. Key functions include monitoring environment by person, place, time; identifying events with digital analytics; conducting offline community-based assessments; generating timely routine reports. Although specific considerations several system attributes must considered, share similarities traditional Because both pathogens are spread more readily in an increasingly hyperconnected world, sustainable ensure that interventions can deployed epidemic response.

Язык: Английский

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Informing social media analysis for public health: a cross-sectional survey of professionals

Archives of Public Health, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 82(1)

Опубликована: Янв. 2, 2024

Abstract Background During the COVID-19 pandemic, field of infodemic management has grown in response to urgent global need. Social listening is first step managing infodemic, and many organizations health systems have implemented processes. media analysis tools traditionally been developed for commercial purposes, rather than public health, little known experiences needs those professionals using them management. Methods We a cross sectional survey distributed through networks between December 2022 February 2023. Questions were structured over four sections related work-practice user did not collect any personal details from participants. Descriptive was conducted on study results. Qualitative used categorise understand answers open-text questions. Results There 417 participants, 162/417 who completed all questions, 255/417 some, responses are included analysis. Respondents came regions variety workplaces. Participants had an average 4.4 years’ experience social health. most common issue people for. reveal range training, technical capacity, support needs. Conclusions This paper we aware seek describe platforms purposes since start pandemic. key areas future work research, including addressing capacity building leadership working this space, need facilitate easier access better performing

Язык: Английский

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Analyses of the Barriers and Drivers of Ghana’s COVID-19 Vaccination Program Using the 5A Taxonomy: A Scoping Review

SAGE Open, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 15(1)

Опубликована: Янв. 1, 2025

The review explored topical vaccination themes in literature to describe the barriers and drivers of effective COVID-19 Ghana. We searched Scopus, Medline, Cinahl, Google Scholar, covering papers published exclusively Ghana between December 2019 January 2023. Using predefined inclusion exclusion criteria, 27 were included review. adopted 5As taxonomy organize into five dimensions, namely, Access, Affordability, Awareness, Acceptance, Activation. Our analysis shows that Acceptance was most frequently research theme ( n = 23, 85.1%), followed by Awareness 19, 70.4%), Activation 14, 52%), Access 7, 25.7%), Affordability 6, 22.2%). Further, we found awareness campaign messages be largely concentrated Accra, Kumasi other hotspots. Further studies on vaccine financing, access individuals families information dissemination campaigns is highly recommended.

Язык: Английский

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Debunking COVID-19 vaccine misinformation with an audio drama in Ghana, a randomized control trial

Scientific Reports, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 15(1)

Опубликована: Март 15, 2025

Misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines has hampered their uptake worldwide. In Ghana, a belief that affect fertility is prevalent and difficult to counter. UNICEF Ghana co-produced context-driven, behavioral science-based audio drama ('A shot of love') aimed debunk this misinformation narrative. randomized controlled trial, 13,000 young adults who had previously interacted with UNICEF's Agoo platform were either control (audio nutrition) or intervention debunking the misinformation). We found strong protective effect against in misinformation, both directly after listening (adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR) 0.45, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 0.34–0.59) as well at one-month follow-up (aOR 0.66, CI 0.49–0.91). Similarly, on perceived safety 1.56, 1.22-2.00) 1.53, 1.13–2.07). Overall, our science-based, context-driven was effective reducing strength vaccine increasing Ghana.

Язык: Английский

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Understanding COVID-19 vaccination behaviors and intentions in Ghana: A Behavioral Insights (BI) study

PLoS ONE, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 19(2), С. e0292532 - e0292532

Опубликована: Фев. 9, 2024

Introduction Vaccine uptake is influenced by a variety of factors. Behavioral Insights (BI) can be used to address vaccine hesitancy understand the factors that influence decision take or refuse vaccine. Methodology This two-part study consisted survey designed identify various drivers people’s COVID-19 vaccination status and their intention in Ghana, as well an experiment test which several behaviorally informed message frames had greatest effect on acceptance. Data was collected from total 1494 participants; 1089 respondents (73%) reported already being vaccinated 405 (27%) not yet. The mobile phone-based surveys were conducted between December 2021 January 2022 using Random Digit Dialing (RDD) recruit participants. analysis included regression models, relative weights analyses, ANOVAs. Results findings indicated Ghana more social (what others think) than practical such ease vaccination. Respondents’ perceptions family’s religious leaders’ attitudes towards among most influential drivers. Unexpectedly, healthcare providers’ positive about significant negative relationship with respondents’ behavior. positively predicted risk perception, vaccination, degree considered effective. Perceptions also significantly get vaccinated. Although views are important driver acceptance, results asking rank-order who influences them suggest people may consciously aware—or do want admit—the they affected what leaders think. Message fear, altruism, norms all followed responses toward vaccine, messages three distinct messengers: Health Services, doctor, leaders. Conclusions What drives intentions does necessarily drive behaviors. this develop appropriate strategies targeting effective frames.

Язык: Английский

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Lay beliefs of COVID-19 vaccine refusal among intercity commercial drivers in the Volta region of Ghana: recommendations for improved vaccine uptake

Tropical Diseases Travel Medicine and Vaccines, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 10(1)

Опубликована: Март 1, 2024

Abstract Background The COVID-19 vaccine has faced increased hesitancy in Ghana and the Volta region particular since its rollout. Acceptance of among intercity commercial drivers is crucial, especially region, as they transport people within outside country could fuel transmission virus if not vaccinated. Objective We therefore established lay beliefs surrounding refusal Ghana, well their recommendations for improved uptake. Methods purposively interviewed twenty-five (25) who had been vaccinated using a semi-structured interview guide analysed responses thematically ATLAS.ti software. Results Various (ten) were identified. These include nonexistence COVID-19, being immune to belief vaccines meant sick. Other identified that reduce Africa’s population, triggers other health complications leading death, vaccination cause financial loss, political mistrust, permitted by God, prayer prevents infection. They also suggested adoption persuasive communication techniques, publication information on those died providing evidence tests conducted vaccine, testing before vaccination, provision care may experience side effects from able explain why varied are used same help improve Conclusion Our findings show there general lack understanding mistrust region. Hence, promotion officers communicators need be knowledgeable conspiracy theories thwarting uptake provide comprehensive education public

Язык: Английский

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“This is most likely not the correct vaccine”: Analyzing COVID-19's viral spread and vaccine anxieties in Ghana, Cameroon, and Malawi

Social Science & Medicine, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 329, С. 116001 - 116001

Опубликована: Май 31, 2023

Язык: Английский

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Assessing How Risk Communication Surveillance Prompts COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance Among Internet Users by Applying the Situational Theory of Problem Solving: Cross-Sectional Study

JMIR Formative Research, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 7, С. e43628 - e43628

Опубликована: Июнь 14, 2023

The World Health Organization has recently raised concerns regarding the low number of people fully vaccinated against COVID-19. ratio and emergence renewed infectious variants correspond to worsening public health. Global health managers have highlighted COVID-19 vaccine-related infodemics as a significant risk perception factor hindering mass vaccination campaigns.Given ambiguous digital communication environment that fostered infodemics, resource-limited nations struggle boost willingness encourage vaccinate. Authorities launched some communication-laden interventions in response infodemics. However, value strategies used tackle needs be evaluated. current research using tenets Situational Theory Problem Solving is novel, it explores impending effects strategies. relationship between infodemic-induced vaccine safety actions intensify was examined.This study cross-sectional design vis-à-vis nationally representative web-based survey. We collected data from 1946 internet users across Pakistan. Participants voluntarily participated this after completing consent form reading ethical permissions. Responses were received over 3 months, May 2022 July 2022.The results delineated positively affected perception. This realization pushed engage risky communicative through reliance on searches for accurate information. Therefore, prospect managing information exposure (eg, interventions) situational context could predict robust COVID-19.These pioneering offer strategic considerations authorities effectively manage descending spiral optimal protection concludes likelihood relevant improve one's knowledge forfending selection, which can lead Hence, more situation-specific about underlying problem (ie, selection an appropriate vaccine) made accessible several official sources achieve active response.

Язык: Английский

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Strengthening polio vaccine demand in Ghana: Understanding the factors influencing uptake of the vaccine and the effectiveness of different message frames

PLoS ONE, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 18(2), С. e0279809 - e0279809

Опубликована: Фев. 10, 2023

Background Ghana has experienced recent polio outbreaks. Behavioral insights can be used to understand behavior and create demand for the vaccine. Methods This cross-sectional study is based on an interactive mobile phone survey that explored factors influencing uptake of vaccine among Ghanaian mothers with children younger than five years old. The also explores mothers’ intention vaccinate their in future as well experiment short voice message nudges identify most effective frames encouraging vaccination. sample was drawn from volunteers a service platform. Linear probability model regressions Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) estimates were analyze data. Results In total, data 708 caregivers assessed. Out sample, 35% (n = 250) had not vaccinated against polio, around 8% 53) respondents stated they did plan do so, while 28% expressed intent so during next vaccination campaign. Higher i.e. better vaccine, appeared associated children’s knowing causes paralysis (with coefficient 0.13 (95% CI: 0.02, 0.24), 13% more likely have child vaccinated). perception safe 0.11 0.01, 0.22), 11% Another factor increasing whether receive support healthcare workers 0.20), vaccinated. Crucially, difficulty accessing associate negative change -0.16 -0.23, -0.08), 16% less Satisfaction information provided by vaccinators 0.12 0.05, 0.20) 12% vaccinated); having seen or heard something about 0.10 0.03, 0.17), 10% social norms frame statistically significant 0.06 -0.004, 012). Conclusion findings this suggest women under age 5 appear polio. Many express children, never done before. are both driven number must addressed Targeted drivers uptake. However, research required how impact

Язык: Английский

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