Influence of conspiracy theories, misinformation and knowledge on public adoption of Nigerian government’s COVID-19 containment policies

IF 1 4区文学 Q3 COMMUNICATION

Journal of African Media Studies Pub Date : 2021-06-01 DOI:10.1386/JAMS_00048_1

I. Amobi, Lambe Kayode Mustapha, Lilian Adaora Udodi, Oluwakemi Akinuliola-Aweda, Mogbonjubade Esther Adesulure, I. Okoye

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引用次数: 4

Abstract

This study examined the individual and collective influence of conspiracy theories, misinformation and knowledge revolving around COVID-19, on public adoption of the Nigerian government's containment policies. The study adopted the Survey, and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) methods. For the survey, a sample of 466 respondents were drawn from Facebook, Instagram, Messenger and WhatsApp, while 24 participants were selected for the FGD. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and thematic approach were used to analyse data generated from the study. Results revealed a COVID-19 conspiratorial thinking among survey respondents and FGD participants, who were also familiar with the orgy of unbridled dissemination of misinformation and conspiracy theories in the social media space. Majority of respondents were knowledgeable about government's COVID-19 containment policies and were practicing the recommended safety measures. Their decision was influenced by trust in opinion leaders, especially family members and medical experts.

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阴谋论、错误信息和知识对公众采纳尼日利亚政府新冠疫情防控政策的影响

本研究考察了围绕COVID-19的阴谋论、错误信息和知识对公众采纳尼日利亚政府遏制政策的个人和集体影响。本研究采用调查法和焦点小组讨论法(FGD)。在这项调查中，从Facebook、Instagram、Messenger和WhatsApp中抽取了466名受访者，而FGD则选择了24名参与者。社会科学统计软件包(SPSS)和专题方法被用于分析从研究中产生的数据。结果显示，调查对象和FGD参与者中存在COVID-19阴谋论思维，他们也熟悉社交媒体空间中肆无忌惮地传播错误信息和阴谋论的狂欢。大多数受访者了解政府的COVID-19遏制政策，并正在实施建议的安全措施。他们的决定受到对意见领袖，特别是家庭成员和医学专家的信任的影响。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Journal of African Media Studies Multiple-

CiteScore

1.80

自引率

25.00%

发文量