scholarly journals Consuming Information Related to COVID-19 on Social Media Among Older Adults and Its Association With Anxiety, Social Trust in Information, and COVID-Safe Behaviors: Cross-sectional Telephone Survey

10.2196/26570 ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. e26570
Author(s):  
Frankie Ho Chun Wong ◽  
Tianyin Liu ◽  
Dara Kiu Yi Leung ◽  
Anna Y Zhang ◽  
Walker Siu Hong Au ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Telephone Survey ◽  
Social Trust ◽  
Anxiety Symptoms ◽  
Mediation Effect ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Attitudes And Behaviors ◽  
Related Information ◽  
And Behaviors

Background COVID-19-related information on social media is overabundant and sometimes questionable, resulting in an “infodemic” during the pandemic. While previous studies suggest social media usage increases the risk of developing anxiety symptoms, how induced anxiety affects attitudes and behaviors is less discussed, let alone during a global pandemic. Little is known about the relationship between older adults using social media during a pandemic and their anxiety, their attitudes toward social trust in information, and behaviors to avoid contracting COVID-19. Objective The goal of this study was to investigate the associations between using social media for COVID-19-related information and anxiety symptoms as well as the mediation effect of anxiety symptoms on social trust in information and COVID-safe behaviors among older adults. Methods A cross-sectional telephone survey was conducted in Hong Kong between May and August 2020. A rapid warm-call protocol was developed to train social workers and volunteers from participant nongovernmental organizations to conduct the telephone surveys. Questions related to COVID-safe behaviors, social trust in information, social media use, anxiety and depressive symptoms, and sociodemographic information were asked. The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases at the community level was used to account for the risk of contracting COVID-19. Ordinary least squares regressions examined the associations between social media use and anxiety symptoms, and how they were associated with social trust in information and COVID-safe behaviors. Structural equation modeling further mapped out these relationships to identify the mediation effects of anxiety symptoms. Results This study collected information regarding 3421 adults aged 60 years and older. Use of social media for COVID-19-related information was associated with more anxiety symptoms and lower social trust in information but had no significant relationship with COVID-safe behaviors. Anxiety symptoms predicted lower social trust in information and higher COVID-safe behaviors. Lower social trust in information was predicted by using social media for COVID-19 information, mediated by anxiety symptoms, while no mediation effect was found for COVID-safe behaviors. Conclusions Older adults who rely on social media for COVID-19-related information exhibited more anxiety symptoms, while showing mixed effects on attitudes and behaviors. Social trust in information may be challenged by unverified and contradictory information online. The negligible impact on COVID-safe behaviors suggested that social media may have caused more confusion than consolidating a consistent effort against the pandemic. Media literacy education is recommended to promote critical evaluation of COVID-19-related information and responsible sharing among older adults.

scholarly journals Consuming information related to COVID-19 on social media among older adults and its associations with anxiety, social trust in information, and COVID-safe behaviours: Cross-Sectional Survey (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frankie Ho Chun Wong ◽  
Tianyin Liu ◽  
Dara Kiu Yi Leung ◽  
Yan A. Zhang ◽  
Walker Siu Hong Au ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Telephone Survey ◽  
Social Trust ◽  
Media Use ◽  
Anxiety Symptoms ◽  
Mediation Effect ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Media Usage ◽  
Related Information

BACKGROUND COVID-19-related information on social media is overabundant and sometimes questionable, resulting in an “infodemic” during the pandemic. While previous studies suggest social media usage increases the risk of developing anxiety symptoms, how induced anxiety affects attitudes and behaviours is less discussed in the literature, let alone during a global pandemic. Although older adults may not use digital media as extensively as younger adults, they use social media differently to address information needs. Little is known about the effect of using social media during a pandemic on their anxiety, social trust in information, and behaviours to avoid contracting COVID-19. OBJECTIVE To investigate the associations between using social media for COVID-19-related information and anxiety symptoms and the mediation effect of anxiety symptoms on social trust in information and COVID-safe behaviours among older adults. METHODS A cross-sectional telephone survey was conducted in Hong Kong between May and August 2020 among service recipients of local NGOs providing active aging activities or mental health services. A rapid warm-call protocol was developed to train social workers and volunteers from particpant NGOs to conduct the telephone survey that included questions related to COVID-safe behaviours, social trust in information, social media use, anxiety and depressive symptoms, and sociodemographic information. The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases at the community level was used to account for the risk of contracting COVID-19, which may prompt COVID-safe behaviours and affect social trust in information. OLS regressions examined the associations between social media use and anxiety symptoms, and how they were associated with social trust in information and COVID-safe behaviours. Structural equation modelling further mapped out these relationships to identify the mediation effects of anxiety symptoms. RESULTS This study collected information regarding 3421 adults aged 60 years and older. Use of social media for COVID-19-related information predicted more anxiety symptoms and lower social trust in information but had no significant relationship with COVID-safe behaviours. Anxiety symptoms predicted lower social trust in information and more COVID-safe behaviours. Lower social trust in information was predicted by social media usage, mediated by anxiety symptoms, while no mediation effect was found in COVID-safe behaviours. CONCLUSIONS Older adults who rely on social media for COVID-19-related information are exposed to a higher risk of anxiety if they, while showing mixed effects on attitudes and behaviours. Social trust in information may be challenged by unverified and contradictory information online. The negligible impact on COVID-safe behaviours suggested social media may have caused more confusion than consolidating a consistent effort against the pandemic. Media literacy education is recommended to mitigate the negative effects of social media usage, promote critical evaluation of it and responsible sharing among older adults.

scholarly journals Youth Study Recruitment Using Paid Advertising on Instagram, Snapchat, and Facebook: Cross-Sectional Survey Study (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelsey Lynett Ford ◽  
Tashuna Albritton ◽  
Tara A Dunn ◽  
Kacy Crawford ◽  
Jessica Neuwirth ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Health Research ◽  
Conversion Rate ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Attitudes And Behaviors ◽  
Study Recruitment ◽  
Social Media Platforms ◽  
And Behaviors ◽  
Youth Study

BACKGROUND The use of paid social media advertising for targeted study recruitment is an effective strategy in health research and evaluation, specifically to reach diverse youth participants. Although the literature adequately describes the utility of Facebook in recruitment, limited information exists for social media platforms that are more popular with youth, specifically Instagram and Snapchat. OBJECTIVE This paper outlines a paid advertising approach using Instagram, Snapchat, and Facebook to evaluate a statewide youth marijuana prevention campaign. The objective of this study was to compare recruitment metrics across Instagram, Snapchat, and Facebook for two surveys documenting youth knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to retail marijuana in Colorado post legalization. In addition, the study assessed the feasibility of using Instagram and Snapchat as effective additions to Facebook for youth study recruitment. METHODS A social media recruitment strategy was used to conduct two cross-sectional surveys of youth, aged 13 to 20 years, in Colorado. Geographically targeted ads across 3 social media platforms encouraged the completion of a Web-based self-administered survey. Ad Words and Snap Ads were used to deploy and manage advertising campaigns, including ad design, placement, and analysis. Ad costs and recruitment metrics (ie, impressions, link clicks, and conversion rates) were calculated across the three social media platforms. RESULTS Over two 1-month periods, 763,613 youth were reached (ie, impressions), 6089 of them clicked survey links (ie, clicks), and 828 eligible youth completed surveys about knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to retail marijuana. Instagram converted 36.13% (803/2222) of impressions to clicks (ie, conversion rate) in the first survey and 0.87% (864/98982) in the second survey. Snapchat generated the most impressions and link clicks, but it did so with the lowest conversion rate for both surveys, with a 1.40% (1600/114,200) conversion rate in the first survey and a 0.36% (1818/504700) conversion rate in the second survey. Facebook maintained a consistent conversion rate of roughly 2% across both surveys, despite reductions in budget for the second survey. The cost-per-click ranged between US $0.25 and $0.37 across the three platforms, with Snapchat as both the most cost-effective platform in the first survey and the most expensive platform in the second survey. CONCLUSIONS Recruitment and enrollment outcomes indicate the use of Instagram and Snapchat, in addition to Facebook, may be a modern, useful, and cost-effective approach to reach youth with surveys on sensitive health topics. As the use of Facebook declines among youth, the use of more popular social media platforms can augment study recruitment for health research and evaluation efforts.

scholarly journals Youth Study Recruitment Using Paid Advertising on Instagram, Snapchat, and Facebook: Cross-Sectional Survey Study

10.2196/14080 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. e14080 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelsey Lynett Ford ◽  
Tashuna Albritton ◽  
Tara A Dunn ◽  
Kacy Crawford ◽  
Jessica Neuwirth ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Health Research ◽  
Conversion Rate ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Attitudes And Behaviors ◽  
Study Recruitment ◽  
Social Media Platforms ◽  
And Behaviors ◽  
Youth Study

Background The use of paid social media advertising for targeted study recruitment is an effective strategy in health research and evaluation, specifically to reach diverse youth participants. Although the literature adequately describes the utility of Facebook in recruitment, limited information exists for social media platforms that are more popular with youth, specifically Instagram and Snapchat. Objective This paper outlines a paid advertising approach using Instagram, Snapchat, and Facebook to evaluate a statewide youth marijuana prevention campaign. The objective of this study was to compare recruitment metrics across Instagram, Snapchat, and Facebook for two surveys documenting youth knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to retail marijuana in Colorado post legalization. In addition, the study assessed the feasibility of using Instagram and Snapchat as effective additions to Facebook for youth study recruitment. Methods A social media recruitment strategy was used to conduct two cross-sectional surveys of youth, aged 13 to 20 years, in Colorado. Geographically targeted ads across 3 social media platforms encouraged the completion of a Web-based self-administered survey. Ad Words and Snap Ads were used to deploy and manage advertising campaigns, including ad design, placement, and analysis. Ad costs and recruitment metrics (ie, impressions, link clicks, and conversion rates) were calculated across the three social media platforms. Results Over two 1-month periods, 763,613 youth were reached (ie, impressions), 6089 of them clicked survey links (ie, clicks), and 828 eligible youth completed surveys about knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to retail marijuana. Instagram converted 36.13% (803/2222) of impressions to clicks (ie, conversion rate) in the first survey and 0.87% (864/98982) in the second survey. Snapchat generated the most impressions and link clicks, but it did so with the lowest conversion rate for both surveys, with a 1.40% (1600/114,200) conversion rate in the first survey and a 0.36% (1818/504700) conversion rate in the second survey. Facebook maintained a consistent conversion rate of roughly 2% across both surveys, despite reductions in budget for the second survey. The cost-per-click ranged between US $0.25 and $0.37 across the three platforms, with Snapchat as both the most cost-effective platform in the first survey and the most expensive platform in the second survey. Conclusions Recruitment and enrollment outcomes indicate the use of Instagram and Snapchat, in addition to Facebook, may be a modern, useful, and cost-effective approach to reach youth with surveys on sensitive health topics. As the use of Facebook declines among youth, the use of more popular social media platforms can augment study recruitment for health research and evaluation efforts.

The Moderating Role of Community Capacity for Age-Friendly Communication in Mitigating Anxiety of Older Adults During the COVID-19 Infodemic: Cross-Sectional Survey (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frankie Ho Chun Wong ◽  
Dara Kiu Yi Leung ◽  
Edwin Lok Yan Wong ◽  
Tianyin Liu ◽  
Shiyu Lu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Media Use ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Anxiety Symptoms ◽  
Community Capacity ◽  
Traditional Media ◽  
Social Media Use ◽  
Cross Sectional

BACKGROUND Older adults were perceived as a vulnerable group under the COVID-19 pandemic due to the health and mental health challenges they faced. The pandemic was accompanied by an “infodemic” of overabundant and questionable information that has affected older adults’ mental health. As the infodemic and ageist narratives were prevalent online, more anxiety symptoms have been induced among older adults who used social media. Age-friendly communication, advocated by the World Health Organization’s age-friendly city guide, could be an antidote by providing tailored information via appropriate channels for older adults. OBJECTIVE This study investigated the role of community capacity for age-friendly communication in mitigating anxiety during the pandemic. We hypothesized that age-friendly communication would moderate the effects of infection risks and social media use on anxiety. A double moderating effect was hypothesized in the context of diminished trust in traditional media. METHODS Data were collected from a cross-sectional telephone survey conducted in Hong Kong in 2020. Older adults (age ≥ 60 years) were interviewed about their wellbeing and daily lives (N = 3421). Community capacity for age-friendly communication was measured in a living districts-based evaluation. It had two components: the reach of appropriate information to older adults (AFC-I) and the age-friendliness of communication technologies (AFC-C&D) in the community. We tested the hypothesized moderation and double moderation effects with ordinary least squares regressions. RESULTS Perceived COVID-19 infection risk (b = .002, P = .02) and use of social media for COVID-19 information (b = .08, P =.04) were associated with more anxiety symptoms. The effect of using social media was moderated by AFC-I (b = -.39, P = .002) and AFC-C&D (b = -1.06, P < .001), and the effect of perceived COVID-19 infection risk was moderated by AFC-I (b = -.03, P = .002) and AFC-C&D (b = -.05, P < .001). Lower trust in traditional media exacerbated anxiety symptoms associated with social media use (b = -.08, P = .02). Higher AFC-I alleviated this moderation effect (AFC-I*media trust b = -.65, P < .001; AFC-I*social media use b = -2.18, P <.001; three-way interaction b = .40, P = .003). CONCLUSIONS Our findings highlight the role of community age-friendly communication in mitigating anxiety related to the infodemic. Although using social media may have exacerbated the impact of the infodemic on older adults, it has the potential to deliver timely information for adequate health response. While the amplifying effects of low media trust was associated with social media use, age-friendly communication determined its strength. Instead of discouraging the use of digital technologies for COVID-19 information, efforts should be made in tailoring information and communication technologies in local communities for older adults.

scholarly journals Changes in Tobacco Use Patterns during COVID-19 and Their Correlates among Older Adults in Bangladesh

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 1779
Author(s):  
Sabuj Kanti Mistry ◽  
Armm Mehrab Ali ◽  
Md. Ashfikur Rahman ◽  
Uday Narayan Yadav ◽  
Bhawna Gupta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Tobacco Use ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Use Patterns ◽  
Telephone Interviews ◽  
Related Information ◽  
Structured Questionnaire

The present study explored the changes in tobacco use patterns during the COVID-19 pandemic and their correlates among older adults in Bangladesh. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 1032 older adults aged ≥60 years in Bangladesh through telephone interviews in October 2020. Participants’ characteristics and COVID-19-related information were gathered using a pretested semi-structured questionnaire. Participants were asked if they noted any change in their tobacco use patterns (smoking or smokeless tobacco) during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to pre-pandemic (6 months prior to the survey). Nearly half of the participants (45.6%) were current tobacco users, of whom 15.9% reported increased tobacco use during the COVID-19 pandemic and all others had no change in their tobacco use patterns. Tobacco use was significantly increased among the participants from rural areas, who had reduced communications during COVID-19 compared to pre-pandemic (OR = 2.76, 95%CI:1.51–5.03). Participants who were aged ≥70 years (OR = 0.33, 95% CI: 0.14–0.77), widowed (OR = 0.36, 95% CI: 0.13–1.00), had pre-existing, non-communicable, and/or chronic conditions (OR = 0.44, 95% CI: 0.25–0.78), and felt themselves at the highest risk of COVID-19 (OR = 0.31, 95% CI: 0.15–0.62), had significantly lower odds of increased tobacco use. Policy makers and practitioners need to focus on strengthening awareness and raising initiatives to avoid tobacco use during such a crisis period.

scholarly journals Prescribers’ Knowledge, Attitudes and Behaviors on Antibiotics, Antibiotic Use and Antibiotic Resistance in Jordan

Antibiotics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 858
Author(s):  
Reema A. Karasneh ◽  
Sayer I. Al-Azzam ◽  
Mera Ababneh ◽  
Ola Al-Azzeh ◽  
Ola B. Al-Batayneh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antibiotic Resistance ◽  
Antibiotic Use ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Antibiotic Prescribing ◽  
Prescribing Practices ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Attitudes And Behaviors ◽  
And Behaviors ◽  
Ease Of Access

More research is needed on the drivers of irrational antibiotic prescribing among healthcare professionals and to ensure effective prescribing and an adequate understanding of the issue of antibiotic resistance. This study aimed at evaluating prescribers’ knowledge, attitudes and behaviors about antibiotic use and antibiotic resistance. A cross-sectional study was conducted utilizing an online questionnaire and included physicians and dentists from all sectors in Jordan. A total of 613 prescribers were included (physicians n = 409, dentists n = 204). Respondents’ knowledge on effective use, unnecessary use or associated side effects of antibiotics was high (>90%), compared with their knowledge on the spread of antibiotic resistance (62.2%). For ease of access to the required guidelines on managing infections, and to materials that advise on prudent antibiotic use and antibiotic resistance, prescribers agreed in 62% and 46.1% of cases, respectively. 28.4% of respondents had prescribed antibiotics when they would have preferred not to do so more than once a day or more than once a week. Among respondents who prescribed antibiotics, 63.4% would never or rarely give out resources on prudent use of antibiotics for infections. The findings are of importance to inform antibiotic stewardships about relevant interventions aimed at changing prescribers’ behaviors and improving antibiotic prescribing practices.

scholarly journals The Influence of Social Media use on Practice of Covid-19 Preventive Measures Among Ethiopian Residents: An Online Cross-Sectional Study

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
Abinet Arega Sadore ◽  
Demelash Woldeyohannes Handiso ◽  
Tekle Ejajo Wontamo ◽  
Dejene Ermias Mekango ◽  
Sisay Moges
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Risk Perception ◽  
Preventive Measures ◽  
Media Use ◽  
Social Media Use ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Preventive Practice ◽  
Related Information ◽  
Study Participants

Abstract Background: Infection with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has become a severe public health issue worldwide. A broad amount of information related to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic was disseminated by social media in Ethiopia. To date, there is limited evidence on the influence of social media use for covid-19 related information on covid-19 preventive practice. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the influence of social media use on the practice of COVID-19 preventive measures in Ethiopia. Methods: This study employed an anonymous internet-based online cross-sectional survey using Google forms to collects the data from the respondents from 15 May to 17 June 2020 in Ethiopia. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between social media usage as a predictor and COVID-19 preventive practice, after adjusting for socio-demographic and risk perception of COVID-19 variables. The data were analysed using SPSS version 21. Results: A total of 372 respondents have participated in the study. From 372, 208(55.9%) respondents in this study were male. Study participants who had good utilization of social media to get COVID-19 related information were 9.5 times engaged in COVID-19 preventive practices compared to study participants who had poor utilization of social media to get covid-19 related information (AOR= 9.59, 95% CI = 5.70 - 16.13). Also, study participants who had a high-risk perception of COVID-19 were 2.6 times engaged in COVID-19 practices compared to study participants who had a low-risk perception of covid-19 (AOR = 2.63, 95% CI = 1.58 - 4.38). Study participants who were students at the time of this study were four times more likely to show adequate COVID-19 preventive practice score compared to those who had another occupational status (AOR= 4.07, 95% CI= 1.66 - 9.98) Conclusions: Our results show that the usage of social media networks can have a positive effect on the practice of preventive measures and public safety against COVID-19; high-risk perception contributed to preventive activities against COVID-19. Social networking platforms can be used by public health agencies as an important method to raise public health understanding by disseminating concise messages to targeted audiences.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document