key: cord-0743310-7bv72e4o
authors: Abdoli, Amir; Heidarnejadi, Seyede Manizhe
title: Opportunités et défis des médias sociaux dans les épidémies : Une préoccupation pour COVID-19[[[en]]]Opportunities and challenges of social media in outbreaks: A concern for COVID-19
date: 2020-07-03
journal: Ethics Med Public Health
DOI: 10.1016/j.jemep.2020.100557
sha: 6f92b5c2f59a67b3ef85474d09e0a1ce8477f7d5
doc_id: 743310
cord_uid: 7bv72e4o

nan

Opportunities and challenges of social media in outbreaks: A concern for COVID-19

Amir Abdoli 1⃰ , Seyede Manizhe Heidarnejadi 2 1 According to a recent systematic review, the most popular social media platforms for circulation of information about the emerging infectious diseases (EID) were Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube [2] . Analysis of social media during the outbreaks of MERS-CoV and the H7N9 influenza in China have shown the usefulness of these platforms for measurement of the level of public awareness [3] . Another research regarding the Zika virus outbreak has demonstrated that social media can be used as a complementary way for forecasting the disease incidence and assessment of the dynamics of the outbreak [4] . The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently reported 12 myths about the COVID-19 pandemic [5] that swiftly disseminated in the websites and social media platforms. Hence, the internet and social media platforms can be used as a helpful tool for dissemination of information during outbreaks by health authorities [1, 6] .

Besides the mentioned advantages, it seems that gossip and rumors are more contagious than contagious diseases in outbreaks. For instance, two speculative treatment methods of Ebola, including ingestion of Nano Silver and bathing in or drinking saltwater was spread during the Ebola outbreak in Twitter and Weibo (a Chines social media application) [7] . Misinformation also dissemination in the internet and social media platforms regarding the COVID-19 pandemic [1, 6] . For instance, consumption of garlic, onion, and ginger as well as smoking frankincense and harmala (Peganum harmala) have been suggested for prevention of the COVID-19 in websites and social media platforms. An online survey among Chinese populations (4872 participants from 31 provinces of China) during the COVID-19 outbreak has shown that 22.6%, 48.3%, and 19.4% of the participants reported to experienced anxiety, depression and a combination of them, respectively [8] . As such, more than 80% of participants have been used social media. Social media exposure (SME) was positively associated with high rate of anxiety (OR=1.72) and combination of anxiety and depression (OR=1.91) compared with less SME exposure [8] . Another survey among the Chinese populations regarding the social media use and mental health status during the COVID-19 outbreak have shown that about one-fifth of the respondents had anxiety and depression. Moreover, the anxiety and depression were associated with spending ≥ 2 hours daily on COVID-19 news via social media [9] . Also, studies about the association of social media use and mental health status revealed that the depressive symptoms were higher in young girls than boys [10] .

Increasing pandemic fears due to fake news and misinformation is another challenge of the social media platforms that should be managed by health authorities or governments.

Taken together, the pros and cons of the internet and social media should be more considered by the health authorities or governments for the management and control of outbreaks.

Evaluating the Potential Role of Social Media in Preventive Health Care

Social media and outbreaks of emerging infectious diseases: A systematic review of literature

Chinese social media reaction to the MERS-CoV and avian influenza A(H7N9) outbreaks

Forecasting Zika Incidence in the

Latin America Outbreak Combining Traditional Disease Surveillance with Search, Social Media, and News Report Data

Social Media and Emergency Preparedness in Response to Novel Coronavirus

Social Media's Initial Reaction to Information and Misinformation on Ebola

Mental health problems and social media exposure during COVID-19 outbreak

Mental Health, Risk Factors, and Social Media Use During the COVID-19 Epidemic and Cordon Sanitaire Among the Community and Health Professionals in Wuhan, China: Cross-Sectional Survey

Social Media Use and Adolescent Mental Health: Findings From the UK Millennium Cohort Study