The Aurum Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa.
The Aurum Institute, Aurum House, The Ridge, 29 Queens Road, Parktown, Johannesburg, 2193, South Africa.
BMC Res Notes. 2021 Dec 24;14(1):468. doi: 10.1186/s13104-021-05886-0.
The proliferation of false information on COVID-19 mostly through social media is adversely affecting control efforts. The objective of this study was to identify areas where targeted effective messaging can be useful in demystifying misinformation against COVID-19.
The study showed high levels of misinformation on COVID-19 in the study area [mean score 2.71; standard deviation (SD) 1.5]. The highest levels of misinformation were observed in Dr. Ruth Segomotsi Mompati district, North West province (mean score: 3.84; SD: 2.1) and Sedibeng district, Gauteng province (mean score: 3.56; SD 1.7). Higher levels of misinformation were reported by those aged 18-24 years (mean score: 3.48; SD: 1.8), and men (mean score: 2.73; SD: 1.8). Across the two provinces, we identified geospatial hot and coldspots of misinformation highlighting the need to implement point of care strategies such as targeted messaging. Findings showed the need for targeted interventions to young people, students, those with low levels of education and the self-employed in the two districts more importantly, as South Africa expands its nationwide vaccination roll-out.
COVID-19 相关虚假信息的大量传播主要通过社交媒体进行，这对防控工作造成了负面影响。本研究旨在确定有针对性的有效信息传递在揭穿针对 COVID-19 的错误信息方面的有用之处。
研究表明，研究区域存在高水平的 COVID-19 错误信息[平均得分为 2.71；标准差（SD）为 1.5]。在西北省的露丝·塞戈莫茨·蒙帕蒂区（Dr. Ruth Segomotsi Mompati）和豪登省的塞迪本格区（Sedibeng）观察到最高水平的错误信息（平均得分为 3.84；SD：2.1）和 3.56；SD 1.7）。年龄在 18-24 岁之间的人报告了更高水平的错误信息（平均得分为 3.48；SD：1.8），男性的平均得分为 2.73；SD：1.8）。在这两个省份，我们确定了错误信息的地理热点和冷点，突出了实施即时护理策略（如针对性信息传递）的必要性。研究结果表明，需要针对年轻人、学生、教育程度较低的人群和个体经营者实施有针对性的干预措施，特别是在南非扩大全国疫苗接种范围的情况下。
