JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Health systems fighting the COVID-19 pandemic are also facing an additional challenge of addressing an infodemic, defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as an “overabundance of information”. Healthcare Information for All (HIFA) is a multidisciplinary global campaign consisting of more than 20,000 members around the world committed to improving the availability and use of healthcare information in low- and middle-income countries. COVID-19 and the infodemic surrounding were major topics discussed in the HIFA forums.

Objective:

This analysis aims to contribute to the global effort to track, understand, and respond to the infodemic surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic by identifying themes and perspectives shared by members on the HIFA forums.

Methods:

Over a period of eight months, a qualitative thematic content analysis of the COVID-19 discussion on the English HIFA forums was conducted. 831 posts between January 24th, 2020 and October 31st, 2020 from 246 unique members were included and analyzed.

Results:

In total, six major themes, and their sub-themes, were identified: infodemics, digital health, health system, economic consequences, marginalized peoples, and mental health. Geographical distribution of members involved in the discussion was split between 47 different countries spanning every continent except Antarctica. Members' professions included those working within public health (28.7%), healthcare providers (24.7%), and information providers (22.0%), and researchers (6.7%). Members' affiliation included NGOs (35.9%), academicians (20.2%), UN, WHO, and governmental organizations (12.5%).

Conclusions:

The themes that emerged from this analysis highlight personal recounts, reflections, suggestions, and evidence in addressing COVID-19 related misinformation and might also help to understand the timeline of information evolution, focus, and needs surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.