Published June 30, 2023 | Version CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
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Mediating Health and Risk Information in WhatsApp and its Impact on Risk Perception and Risk Knowledge During COVID-19 Public Health Emergency

Creators

  • 1. Department of Mass Communication, University of Technology and Applied Sciences, Nizwa, Al Dakhiliyah, Oman.
  • 2. Department of Electronic Media and Mass Communication, University of Technology and Applied Sciences, Nizwa, Al Dakhiliyah, Oman.

Contributors

Contact person:

  • 1. Department of Mass Communication, University of Technology and Applied Sciences, Nizwa, Al Dakhiliyah, Oman.

Description

Abstract: WhatsApp is India’s most popular social media application and has emerged as a valuable tool for health and risk communication during the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE). Public health institutions, WHO and Government agencies used WhatsApp Health Alert to distribute verified, accurate and timely information during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study examines the potential of WhatsApp as a primary source of health and risk information and its impact on users’ risk knowledge and risk perception during the COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted a cross-sectional online survey among 453WhatsApp users in Tamil Nadu during the COVID-19 lockdown in May-August 2021. Most of the respondents used WhatsApp as the primary source of COVID-19 information than other media. COVID-19 information in WhatsApp had a positive and significant impact on users’ risk knowledge and risk perception. Regularly receiving and sharing COVID-19 information, subscribing to and participating in COVID-19-related group chats, and regularly updating WhatsApp statuses about COVID-19 were significant influencers of risk knowledge and risk perception. Future PHE response communication must build on these communication opportunities in WhatsApp rather than routed primarily to traditional methods.

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Published By: Lattice Science Publication (LSP) © Copyright: All rights reserved

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Journal article: 2582-7596 (ISSN)

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Subjects

ISSN: 2582-7596 (Online)
https://portal.issn.org/resource/ISSN/2582-7596#
Retrieval Number:100.1/ijamst.D3035063423
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Journal Website: www.ijamst.latticescipub.com
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Publisher: Lattice Science Publication (LSP)
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