Social media information and its association with the adoption of COVID-19 preventive measures in four Latin American countries.
Rev Comm
; 23(3): 247-262, 2023.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38106967
ABSTRACT
Objective:
The study aimed to assess the association between adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures and access to media information related to COVID-19.Methods:
A multi-country, cross-sectional study using an online survey was conducted from June to December 2020. The sample included 1,457 participants from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Mexico. The outcome variable was self-reported adherence to preventive measures (handwashing, social distancing, self-isolation, use of face masks, and working from home). The explanatory variable was self-report of following media information related to COVID-19 (watching or reading the news, following social media coverage). Multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine the associations.Results:
Following information on social media was positively associated with higher odds of practicing social distancing (AOR=5.39; 95%CI 3.93-7.30), self-isolation (AOR=1.44; 95%CI 1.08-1.92), use of face masks (AOR=16.84; 95%CI 10.03-28.27), handwashing (AOR=6.95; CI 95% 4.98-9.71), and working from home (AOR=1.85; 95% CI 1.43-2.41). Differences in the use of social media for COVID-19 information were observed among the four countries.Conclusion:
Following social media was positively associated with adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures in Latin America. Social media may be effectively used for COVID-19 behaviour modification in Latin America.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Language:
En
Journal:
Rev Comm
Year:
2023
Document type:
Article