Misinformation and perception of COVID-19 and risk assessment among people in Pakistan: A pilot study.

Abstract

Background: During the coronavirus pandemic, misinformation was circulated through technology and social media on a large scale. Since people rely on media to keep connected and informed, misinformation can prevent them from staying safe.

Objectives: To examine the quality of information reaching Pakistanis, the effect of information/misinformation on people's perception, and its relationship with risky health behaviours in different demographical groups.

Methods: A community sample of N= 103 Pakistanis was assessed using a mixed-method cross-sectional survey research design to investigate their sources of knowledge/information, perceptions of coronavirus-related facts, and risky health behaviours.

Results: Content analysis of the material that participants read/watched indicated the possible effect of media on people's perception of COVID-19. Specific demography (e.g., increasing age) and people's tendency to believe misinformation/information may indicate risky health behaviours pertaining to coronavirus infection.

Discussion: Findings showed how the models considered (social cognitive theory, biological warfare conspiracy theory, theory of planned behaviour, protection motivation theory, the health belief model, and biopsychosocial model) may be relevant to examination of the effects of misinformation on different demographic groups.

Conclusion: The findings and models need to be verified on larger, more representative samples of Pakistanis using a large-scale survey based on the insights obtained from this pilot study.