How Belief systems/misinformation
are effecting the healthcare services?
The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has been recognized as one of the fast spreading infectious outbreaks of the recent times. In such situations, assessing the knowledge concerning the myths of the disease is crucial.
Introduction
"Research is to see what everybody else has seen, and to think what nobody else has thought."
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) caused by novel coronavirus has emerged as a global pandemic in the past few months. The contagious nature of this virus has led to a public health crisis, with the World Health Organization (WHO) declaring it a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on January 30, 2020.
To begin with a nationwide lockdown was enforced from 25 of March to interrupt the chain and “flatten the curve” of COVID-19 infection. Introduction of Aarogya Setu mobile application to educate citizens about novel coronavirus facilitates them in making informed decisions amid the crisis. Social media campaigns to educate public on physical distancing, hand hygiene, personal protection, etc., are some of the implementation measures undertaken by Government of India.
Facilitating outbreak management of COVID-19 urges a need to understand the public’s awareness of COVID-19. Prevention of such outbreaks largely depends on how the population accepts it and behaves that successively is influenced by what individuals apprehend and believe about the disease.
Literature Review
Other relevant research in this area
Systematic Reviews Methodology
A systematic review methodology answers a defined research question by collecting and summarizing all empirical evidence that fits pre-specified eligibility criteria.
Objective
To make individual studies to one overview. If you ask us Why? we are doing... then possibly it solves major chunks in literature review, when a group is involved in reading and reviewing on particular chosen literature question/ topic. Majorly, it provides following benefits to adopt
- Makes complexity of information smooth
- Increases precisions of estimates
- Resolve discrepancies
Process
INCLUSION & EXLUSION CRITERIA: Here, we will decide what type of article we will look for. Example It depends sometime our research more over towards knowing Behavioral part, Age groups, Demographically etc. Why? we do it, to eliminate the biases of literature research.
Define the question
BUNCHES OF LITERATURE:
Once we get the unbiased directions for literature, there after we start recording and finding same directed information from different resources like: books, internet, online search engines, medical websites, smaller journals, unpublished research, ask experts, newspaper articles, bibliographies, e-books etc.
Conduct a literature research
READING THE ABSTRACTS AND APPLYING INCLUSION & EXCLUSION CRITERIA:
Basically, we need to decide which article one to keep or not. By every individuals researchers reviews but to break the individua biases, we should review as multiple reviewers.
Pull articles read abstracts apply I/X
PULLING OUT DATA OUT OF DATA: Now, we can make either spreadsheet or table of content for unbiased data and information under major headings, such as Culture, behavior etc.
Data abstraction
START READING THE ACTUAL SELECTED ARTICLES:
Again, we are going to use inclusion & exclusion methods by every individuals researchers reviews but, to to break biases, we should review as multiple reviewers.
Read full articles apply I/X
CONCLUSION:
Evaluating the results or outcomes of research on Heterogeneity. Making it useful for further Primary researches like questionnaire, surveys, one to one interactions etc. to validate the findings authentic or not?
Conduct analysis
Grouping of Inclusion Notes
COVID 19/ Pandemic
Awareness
Digital healthcare
Medicines
Diet/food
Hygiene
Immunization
Nutrition
Fitness
Ageing
Privet Hospitals
Public Hospitals
Trendy Believes
Brand trust
Vaccine efficacy
Spreaders
Vaccination
Side effects
Physique/ body building/ fitness
Geographical perception
Allopathy vs. homeopathy
Cultural Believes
Home remedies
Family & traditional believes
Trustworthiness on elders advices
Superstitions
Side effects
Religious gurus & groups
Shyness to get tested
Community biases
Behavioral
Carelessness
Biological clock
Hygiene
Age groups
Ignorance
Home care attitude
Impatience
Awareness
Laziness
Half knowledge
Doctors biases in health within society
Self assessment
System failure & greed
To benefit businesses
Political
Propaganda
Unawareness of authenticated channels
Trustworthy Results
Lack of Govt. intention on awareness
Media & medium
Influencers/ celebrities
Digital healthcare
Social media
Open ended health information on internet
Fake and doctored information & videos
Youngsters as netizens
Reading out full paper as multiple reviewers and pull out data out of it!
In previous step, We have selected papers/ articles and any sort of relevant related info. by applying Inclusion and exclusion method. Now, here we will look upon our selected information as deep studying as multiple reviewers and then will find out all possible insights for coming at any valuable conclusion.
Business & the Economy
- We classify messages
under business and
economy when messages
relate to scams, panic-
buying and target
businesses with fake
positive cases.
- The majority of
misinformation here is
intended to create some
form of panic such as
stories about essential
commodities
disappearing, fake
shutdown notices of
businesses and cash
shortages.
Cure, Prevention & Treatment
- We see two distinct trends – first is that of home remedies (including terms such as lemon, vinegar etc.) and alternative medicines (Ayush, herbs etc). While cure-related misinformation was very significant early in the COVID spread, it gradually fell with the passage of time, since the remedies did not work, and they reached a saturation point, to use a COVID metaphor, there was herd immunity to some of the claims of alternative cures as it became increasingly clear from official sources that there was none
- We find that cure-related misinformation has a higher share of institutional attribution to support its claims. An official-looking logo and letterhead are used to make the claim seem real.
Casualty
- Message under casualty
when they refer to
fear-invoking messages
related to deaths,
suicides and suffering
of people in the
pandemic. These
messages are distinct
from death statistics
in that they deal with
the viscerality of the
condition, such as
descriptions of
symptoms, visuals of
death and suffering
etc, intended to cause
distress in the viewer.
Government
- We classify here messages have that purport to have government announcements and advisories and refer to police, judiciary and official institutions.
- As we see, there is a significant component of tweets about the police, much of which is about police brutality, posts about which increased significantly after the lockdown began, and some legitimate news of police attacks on citizens started to surface.
- In terms of legitimating claims of misinformation related to government agencies, governments or politicians, who can be projected as having inside information on the story, are frequently used, where doctored visuals of an interface from a news source alongside a claim that Narendra Modi himself proposed an internet shutdown.
Culture
- As the coronavirus
spread increased in
India, religious
references appeared in
increasing numbers
later. Muslims became
an important part of
the misinformation
spread as spreaders of
the coronavirus and
provokers of chaos and
violence, following the
Nizamuddin Markaz
incident.
- A frequently seen
feature of culture-
related misinformation
is that they often rely
on the use of a
publicly recognized
figure to grab
attention of the
reader. Yoga master
Baba Ramdev is
presented to give
credence to a
misinformation claim
that makes a cultural
reference at Ayurvedic
/ Hindu practices.
Doctored statistics
- Messages that have exaggerated numbers of positive cases or death counts and fake advisories. A look at the word cloud shows that institutions are often used to substantiate claims. Thus UNICEF, WHO or specifics about places where the statistics are from are cited to make them more believable.
Methodology
Primary Research
It is also called field research is collecting data that is created during the time of study. We have included, Questionnaires, Interviews and Direct observations.
Objective
By using this method, anyone can collect this information by himself/ herself. It reduced the dependency on secondary research as literature review. Reliability is more than secondary. Also, provides up to date information & insights. Main objective to use this method:
- To define intent
- To know context
- To know user
- It help in framing insights
- Best way to explore concepts
- Easy to build plans
- For smooth delivering
How we used this method
It is a research tool that made up of a number of questions. It is designed in a way for statistical analysis. Also, to identify respondents attitude, experience, and behavior towards the subject of research.
Questionnaires
It is also called directed storytelling. Guided storytelling is interview technique, participants been ask to describe their experiences and thoughts on a specific topic.
Interviews guided storytelling
Questionnaire Responses
Myth & misinformation Awareness Survey Results
A total of 97 respondents participated in the study. Of which 49.48% (48) were female 50.52% (49), male with around 93.81% (91) belonging to the age group of 18–30 years, and the rest belonging to the other age group categories. Majority of the study population were either undergraduates (36.08%) or postgraduates (59.79%).
Demographic profile of respondents
Distribution of internet users in India 2019, by age group
Around 54 percent of the Indian internet user base was between 20 and 29 years old according to a survey conducted in 2019. People over the age of 40 formed the lowest share, while youngsters in the age group of 16 to 19 years made up about 17 percent share of the total internet user base. India had over 560 million internet users that year, ranking second in the world in terms of the number of people with internet access. Among the total internet users in the country, it was found that around 70 percent users were male and only about 30 percent were female users.
Self-assessment Test on 18-30 years
For each correct response, a score of 1 was assigned. Mean score for each question and overall mean score for the incorrect responses were calculated to categorize into low and high levels of incorrect knowledge, lower score signifying higher incorrect knowledge.
Analytics Insights
1. 67.03% respondents believes Antibiotics
& antivirals effective against COVID 19,
among that 36 (66.66%) are
Postgraduates, 22 (66.66%) are
Undergraduates.
3. Half of respondents are not aware with
knowing WHO & Govt. of India myths/
misinformation facts, such as "Pregnant
women can transmit the virus to the baby
inside" and "People with Diabetics,
hypertension more likely to acquire the
COVID than those without any other
problems.
2. 71.42% responses are comfortable in
taking multivitamins and immune boosters
for protecting COVID. Whereas 72.22% are
Postgrads and 69.69% are Undergrads.
4. Average percentage of respondents in Q6,
Q7, Q8 AND Q9 are likely to be 85.5%,
who believes and understands "Eating
garlic, turmic, ginger, or applying
can't only way to prevent COVID".
Similarly, misinformation and myths like
warm weathers, hot bath and spraying
alcohol are help only way to get away
from COVID.
Assessment report on Responses Scores
Analytics Insights
1. In total of 91 responses, 19%
Approx. responses are able to
scored more than 83% in given
self assessment test of 12
questions, where each questions
carrying 1 marks each. Among
total responses, 10 (55.82%) are
from Postgraduates & 06 (35.29%)
are from Undergraduates.
2. 52 responses out of 91, which
approximately 57.14% scored
average range scores, not more
than 83% and less than 58%.
Among 53 responses, 32 (61.53%)
respondents are Postgraduates &
17 (32.69%) are Undergraduates.
3. Least scorers are more than
highest scorers, 22 respondents
are scored lest in self
assessment test. 24.17%
responses were still more than
19% approx. responses who scored
more than 83% (Which is likely
to be 10, 11 and 12 out of 12
marks respectively).
Behavioral mapping respondents of 18-30 years
Analytics Insights
1. 42.22% male respondents averagely
uses Instagram to get COVID related
information. Whereas 50% female are for
same. Also, 30% of respondents among
who have scored more than 83% in self-
assessment test feels Instagram as main
sources for COVID Info. Around 50%
least scorer uses Instagram as also
their main sources
3. 47 respondents out of 91 are likely to
read up Newspapers for COVID
Information, which accounts 52%
approximately. Well high, moderate and
least scorer are 50% averagely using
Newspaper platform.
5. Twitter has been least used for COVID
information, around 13.18%
respondents seen engaged.
Approximately 10% and 9.4% used by high
scorer and medium scorer responses
respectively. Although, 20.83%
respondents of low scorer uses Twitter
for information.
7. Facebook came as one of the least
preferable platforms for respondents
with only 9 (9.8%) out of 91. Out of 20
high scorer respondents just 1 (5%) is
accounted to be using Facebook as also
one sources for information in COVID.
Similarly, medium and low scorers are
with 11.32% and 8.33% respectively.
2. Approximately, 72% of respondents prefer
to watch News Channels for COVID
sources. Both male and female shares
the same ratio to follow this
platforms. 67% Average of all scorer of
respondents are prefer to watch News
Channel.
4. WhatsApp majorly used by least scorer
and medium scorer as 25% and 17%
respectively. Whereas High scorer
respondents accounts for only 10% using
this platform. In total, only 19%
approximately among 91
respondents using WhatsApp as COVID
info. platform.
6. 26 (28.57%) out of 91 respondents also
uses Newsletters as a COVID information
sources. Medium scorers accounted by
30% using it and 16.6% by low scorers,
20% by high scorers.
8. 25.27% believes word of mouth as their
sources for information. Whereas Low
scorers and Medium scorers are
preferred sources with 05 (22.72%) and
16 (30.76%) respectively. High scorers
are least with only 02 respondents.
8. Only 2% approximately, respondents go
with PIB/ WHO Guidelines and
websites as their main sources for
COVID Information.
Mixed Sources for Information related to COVID 19
Analytics Insights
1. Instagram, Newspapers, News Channel:
20 (22%) Respondents are together on
these platforms to get COVID
Information.
51 (57%) Respondents are averagely get
somewhere from these three sources.
3. News Channels, Newspapers, Newsletters:
18 (20%) Respondents are together on
these platforms to get COVID
Information
45 (50%) Respondents are averagely get
somewhere from these three sources.
2. Instagram, WhatsApp, Newsletters:
06 (07%) Respondents are together on
these platforms to get COVID
Information.
34 (38%) Respondents are averagely get
somewhere from these three sources.
4. Instagram, Word of mouth, Newsletters:
10 (11%) Respondents are together on
these platforms to get COVID
Information.
30 (33%) Respondents are averagely get
somewhere from these three sources.
Observant, Authentic & Responsible
Analytics Insights
1. Those respondents who are likely, comfortable in re- sharing COVID posts and messages freely on social media platforms. Also, don't mind on checking authenticity of any of he/his posts/ messages/ news related with covid before sharing it to many. These respondents are put government as one key factor on not delivering factual information like "banging of the pans" etc
- Only 2% approximately, respondents agrees with above said intentions, Where 01 (2%) and 01 (2.5%) are male and female respondents respectively.
- Among all, 02 (3.7%) responses are from postgrads and in it half male and female agreed for same.
- Whereas No High scorers think agrees on above markings, unlikely medium scorers have 01 (2%) and Low scorers 01 (4.5%) agrees respectively. Also, no female in medium scorer respondents and no male in low scorer respondents been sighted for agreement.
2. Following information and stats on respondents comfortability and uncomfortable on re- sharing the post, messages etc. of COVID on social media platform :
- 17 (18.68%) respondents are comfortable, among this 7 (15.55%) male and 10 (21.73%) female. In this, Undergraduate are 06 (18% approx.) and postgraduates are 11 (20% approx.). On scores parameter, 32% approx. respondents are low scorer, 15% are medium scorer and 12% are high scorer
- 74 (81.31%) respondents are Uncomfortable, 38 (84.44%) male and 36 (78.26%) female. Whereas, high scorer are 88.02%, medium scorer are 84.61% and low scorer are 68.18%.
3. Information and stats on respondents Authenticity and Unauthenticity of COVID on sharing social media platform :
- 76 (83.51%) respondents are better to aware with their authenticity of contents of COVID information. Female are forward than male, 39 (84.75%) female and 37 (82.22%) male knowing the authenticity
- 15 (16.48%) respondents are not bother with checking authenticity and unauthenticity while sharing COVID information on social media platform.
4. Information and stats on government as one key factor on not delivering factual information :
- 61 (67.03%) out of 91 respondents said "Yes" on knowing unknowingly the myths/misinformation delivered by government of India. Among this, 33 (73.33%) are male and 27 (58.69%) are female. Subsequently, 30 (32.96%) respondents said "No" to knowing the "Banging of plates, utensils etc." as myths/misinformation, out of 30 respondents- 12 (26.66%) are male and 19 (41.30%) are female
- Out of 33 undergraduates, 23 (69.69%) said, "Yes" and 10 (30.30%) said, "No". Similarly, 36 (66.66%) respondents from postgraduates said "Yes" and 18 (33.33%) said "No".
- Whereas, low scorer who said "Yes" are 13 (59.09%) out of 22 respondents, medium scorers are 37 (71.15%) out of 52 and highest scorer are 11 (64.70%) out of 17 said "Yes" too.
Sensitivity & Knowledge
Analytics Insights
1. Out of 91 respondents, 36 (40%) approx. respondents are don't believe on any channel for Authenticated COVID related information. In 30 respondents, 18 are male and 18 are female. Whereas, 23 (42%) approx. Postgraduates are unable to find the right platform, 12 (36.3%) Undergraduate are feeling the same.
2. Approximately, 19 (20%) respondents have trust on platforms like- WHO, NDTV & other News channels, Health Ministry, AIIMS Website, Govt. Websites, CoWins. for COVID related information.
3. 18 out of 52 respondents , 10 out of 22 respondents and 08 out of 17 respondents from medium scorers, lower scorers and highest scorers respectively, are not aware or have authenticated channel and way to get COVID information.
Interviews Guided Storytelling
Planning the structure of the interview
People, platform and context will help us to understand the purpose and exact boundaries for proceeding interviews.
Context
Myth/ misinformation stories as Individuals experience of himself or other ones. Based on following directions:
- Own believes on choosing and suggesting?
- Behavioral living pattern on seeing things randomly
- Sensibility/ responsibility towards systems, channels
and institutions etc.
- Awareness of pandemic
- Cultural influence
Questions and formats
Stories
Targeted Age Group
At least 8 respondents from 18-24 yrs. and 25-30 yrs. age group respectively.
Interview platform
Zoom and Instagram
Results and findings
1. Improper Medication due to lack of authentic knowledge
Its been found that respondents are very much aware with their regular activities like kadha, but main cause are founded in taking up medication especially in choosing medicines like Antibiotics, multivitamins, antivirals, immune boosters etc.
4. Least uses of authenticated Platforms for COVID information
Instagram, Newspaper, News Channels are the most used platforms by respondents to get COVID information. Whereas, lest scorers prefers mostly, Instagram, WhatsApp, Twitter, Word of mouth. Also, Least uses of platforms like PIB, WHO, Govt. Websites by respondents.
7. Lack of authenticated information on social platforms
Information related to COVID spread on social platforms are highly unauthenticated and nor trustable. Very less people have way to some authenticated informational channels.
2. Unaware with Authenticated COVID 19 Channels
More than half respondents aren’t aware about the information, that was strictly implemented or proposed by WHO and Government of India.
5. Lack of connection between people & Institutions such as Govt.
Respondents mostly get to know myths/misinformation through social channels but, most of the time they have struggled with Government, institutional counterpart. Due to lack of reach in between respondents and institutions, Govt. channels etc.
8. Don't mind myths/misinformation
People mostly don't want to talk about myths/misinformation, at individual level most of us is careless with delivering and learning of COVID information.
3. Unconfident Respondents
Majority of respondents scored medium and low, even low scorers are more than higher scorers. Averagely respondents are looked much unaware with myths/misinformation.
6. Institutional Trust Issues
Our institutions are week in establishing themselves as trustable among us. Most of the people have mixed thoughts with Government implementations and approaches, low scorers found to fall under most.
9. Orthodox approach in society
Mostly people are following some of their ancestral orthodox behaviors for copping out with COVID. Age groups like 18-30 years are not even question and unfollow these orthodox practices.
Results and findings
The findings of this study suggest that the health authorities need to focus on the vulnerable population who have shown high levels of incorrect knowledge this might most likely ensue to restricted access to internet and online health information resources. Hence, the authorities and health-care employees need to target such population and provide them with the correct information which might facilitate in prevention and transmission of the disease.