ABSTRACT
Objectives: To investigate the general public perception of social media (SM), impact of COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, and related misconceptions among Pakistani population. Methodology: Cross-sectional study conducted during the peak of COVID-19 in Pakistan between May-June 2020 comprised of 2307 Pakistani male and female participants. Subjects under 18 years of age and nationality other than Pakistani were excluded. An online questionnaire was administered via the Internet using various kinds of social media. Results: The study comprised of 2307 male and female participants; 2074(89.90%) were using SM for seeking COVID-19 information, 450 (20%) were using both Facebook (FB) and WhatsApp (WA) and 267(11.6%) were using FB, WA, Twitter, and Instagram. Respondents’ perceptions: 529(23%), believed in SM information, 1564(67.8), stated that COVID-19 affected their social and mental wellbeing. Respondents’ knowledge: 1509 (65.40%), had poor knowledge (≤ 50% score) and 798 (34.6%) had good knowledge (> 50% score) (p<.001) about COVID-19. Binary logistic regression analysis showed that higher-earning positively correlated, while private jobs were negatively associated, with good knowledge. Conclusion: FB and WA were the two common social media used by study participants; one-third had good knowledge. COVID-19 affected social, mental, and psychological well-being of individuals. Good knowledge were greater in individuals with higher earning and less with private job involvements.
Fuente: Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness
