Real-Time Tracking of COVID-19 Rumors Using Community-Based Methods in Côte d'Ivoire
| Autor: | Diarra Kamara, Korodénin Fatoumata Silué, Corinne Fordham, Abdul Dosso, Marjorie Nana, Aliya Allen-Valley, Natalie Jean Tibbels, Jeanne Aka Brou, Danielle Naugle, William Benie, Valère Zounneme |
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| Rok vydání: | 2021 |
| Předmět: |
Health Knowledge
Attitudes Practice Databases Factual Information Management International Cooperation Internet privacy Trust Health informatics Residence Characteristics Hotlines Humans Misinformation Pandemics Internet Government Community engagement SARS-CoV-2 Hotline business.industry Communication Data Collection Field Action Reports COVID-19 General Medicine Transparency (behavior) Information overload Influencer marketing Cote d'Ivoire Communicable Disease Control Business |
| Zdroj: | Global Health: Science and Practice |
| ISSN: | 2169-575X |
| Popis: | Addressing rumors is critical for managing and ending a public health emergency. We piloted a system for real-time rumor tracking using community-based collection methods, open-source software, and a rapid coding and visualization process to systematically understand and help actors respond to COVID-19 misinformation in Côte d'Ivoire. Key Findings Rumors and misinformation undermine public health by creating barriers to protective practices and reducing trust in health responders.We developed an approach to real-time rumor tracking that leverages existing structures (like national hotlines) and local liaisons (such as community health workers) to submit rumors and misinformation to a central database. The rumors are rapidly coded using a standard form and visualized on custom dashboards.During the 6-month pilot of this tool in Côte d'Ivoire, we received and coded 1,757 submissions and used the thematic findings to inform risk communication and community engagement activities. Key Implications Health leaders should consider using a real-time rumor-tracking approach during public health emergencies and can build on the detailed guide and District Health Information System 2 metadata package provided for a simple, open-source, community-centered technology to make rumor data digestible to responders. Global misinformation and information overload have characterized the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Rumors are unverified pieces of information spreading online or person-to-person that reduce trust in health authorities and create barriers to protective practices. Risk communication and community engagement can increase transparency, build trust, and stop the spread of rumors. Building on previous work on Ebola and Zika viruses using Global Health Security Agenda systems strengthening support, the U.S. Agency for International Development-funded Breakthrough ACTION project developed a process and technology for systematically collecting, analyzing, and addressing COVID-19 rumors in real-time in Côte d'Ivoire. Rumors were submitted through community-based contributors and collected from callers to the national hotlines and then processed on a cloud-hosted database built on the open-source software District Health Information System 2 (DHIS2). Hotline teleoperators and data managers coded rumors in near-real-time according to behavioral theory frameworks within DHIS2 and visualized the findings on custom dashboards. The analysis and response were done in full collaboration with the Government of Côte d'Ivoire and implementing partners to ensure a timely and coordinated response. The system captured both widespread rumors consistent with misinformation in other settings, such as suspicions about case counts and the belief that masks were deliberately contaminated, as well as very localized beliefs related to specific influencers. The qualitative findings provided rapid insights on circulating beliefs, enabling risk communicators to nuance and tailor messaging around COVID-19. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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