A pilot study on the pattern of COVID-19 information sources and its associated factors among the public in Qatar: a cross-sectional survey

Abstract

Background: During the coronavirus pandemic, many people looked for information on COVID-19 through social, official, and traditional media sources. This caustic situation resulted in panic among the public, leading to many false news, conspiracy theories, and magical cures being spread among the public at an alarming rate. Controversial theories about the validity of vaccination and non-adoption of disease control resulted in a slow disease control rate and adverse impacts on global health and the economy. Recent studies have shown that health information could safely guard mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. To adopt a disease control strategy, it is essential to identify the public confidence in information sources and the most efficient media to disseminate intervention messages to the public. The main objectives of this study were to identify from 12 alternative information sources the most utilized COVID-19 source of information, the most trusted information source, and the factors associated with high trust in a given source. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey with 442 participants aged 18 years and above was conducted to assess public views and preferences on sources of information for COVID-19. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation, and logistic regression analyses. Bloom’s scale, composite score preference, and chi-squared test were determined for result evaluation purposes. Results and Conclusion: The study findings suggest that the Ministry of Public Health is a widely trusted information source that offers a potentially effective tool for shaping, designing, and disseminating information messages to shape public attitudes toward control of COVID-19 and enhancement of preventive actions. By offering insight into the pattern of COVID-19 information sources and its associated factors among the public in Qatar, the study formulated a set of recommendations for health decision-makers to set packages to help manage and control the spread of coronavirus.