The impact of health literacy of Iranian users on the accuracy of information on COVID-19 in virtual social networks

• Shahnaz Khademizadeh ^[1] ; Zeinab Mohammadi ^[1] ; Farhad Fatehi ^[2]
  1. [1] Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz

     Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz

     Irán

     
  2. [2] University of Queensland

     University of Queensland

     Australia

     
• Localización: Revista Cubana de Información en Ciencias de la Salud, ISSN-e 2307-2113, ISSN 1024-9435, Vol. 33, Nº. 1 (Publicación continua), 2022
• Idioma: inglés
• Títulos paralelos:
  • Impacto de la literatura médica de usuarios iraníes en la exactitud de la información sobre COVID-19 en las redes sociales virtuales
• Enlaces
  • Texto completo
• Resumen
  • español

    The aim of the present study is to investigate the impact of health literacy of Iranian users on the accuracy of information on COVID-19 in virtual social networks. This is applied descriptive survey. The population includes all Iranian users of virtual networks (Telegram, WhatsApp, Twitter, Instagram and etc.). In this study, 121 questionnaires were confirmed and studied. For descriptive statistics, SPSS (ver. 32) and for testing hypothesis, Lisrel have been used. The research findings show that according to Iranian users, Internet is the main source for obtaining information on COVID-19. Moreover, the most popular virtual network is WhatsApp. The aim of using virtual social networks is to access to news and information. The results of structural equations show that there is positive meaningful relation between the rate of health literacy and the accuracy of information on COVID-19 (p > 0.000, β = 0.561). In addition, the health literacy can explain 40 percent variance of the accuracy of information on COVID-19 in virtual social networks. Moreover, the results show that there is meaningful difference between the educational level of Iranian users and the health literacy and accuracy of information on COVID-19 in virtual social networks. Concerning the results of this study and meaningful relation between the health literacy level and attention to accuracy of the information on COVID-19 in Iranian users, the authorities of health system are recommended to consider special planning and policies to increase the health literacy level of users in social networks. In this way, users will be able to verify the accuracy of information on COVID-19 by increasing their health literacy level and therefore, there would be less losses due to unawareness of health literacy and its adverse effect.

  • English

    El objetivo del presente estudio es investigar el impacto de la alfabetización en salud relacionada con la COVID-19 en los usuarios iraníes de las redes sociales virtuales. Se aplicó una encuesta descriptiva, que incluyó a todos los usuarios iraníes de redes sociales virtuales (Telegram, WhatsApp, Twitter, Instagram, etc.). En el estudio se confirmaron y estudiaron 121 cuestionarios. Para estadística descriptiva se utilizó SPSS (versión 32) y Lisrel, para probar la hipótesis. La investigación indicó que, según los usuarios iraníes, Internet es la principal fuente de información sobre COVID-19; además, la red virtual más popular es WhatsApp. El objetivo del uso de las redes sociales virtuales es acceder a noticias e información. Los resultados de las ecuaciones estructurales muestran que existe una relación significativa y positiva entre la tasa de alfabetización en salud y la precisión de la información sobre COVID-19 (p > 0,000; β = 0,561). Asimismo, la alfabetización en salud puede explicar una variación del 40 % en la precisión de la información sobre COVID-19 en las redes sociales virtuales. También que existe una diferencia significativa entre el nivel educativo de los usuarios iraníes, la alfabetización en salud y la precisión de la información sobre COVID-19 en las redes sociales virtuales. Teniendo en cuenta los resultados de este estudio, se recomienda a las autoridades del sistema de salud que consideren una planificación y políticas especiales para aumentar el nivel de alfabetización en salud de los usuarios en redes sociales. De esta manera, estos últimos podrán verificar la información sobre COVID-19 y, por lo tanto, serían menores las pérdidas por desconocimiento.

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