Interdisciplinary Approach to Identify and Characterize COVID-19 Misinformation on Twitter: Mixed Methods Study.

BACKGROUND: Studying COVID-19 misinformation on Twitter presents methodological challenges. A computational approach can analyze large data sets, but it is limited when interpreting context. A qualitative approach allows for a deeper analysis of content, but it is labor-intensive and feasible only for smaller data sets. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to identify and characterize tweets containing COVID-19 misinformation. METHODS: Tweets geolocated to the Philippines (January 1 to March 21, 2020) containing the words coronavirus, covid, and ncov were mined using the GetOldTweets3 Python library. This primary corpus (N=12,631) was subjected to biterm topic modeling. Key informant interviews were conducted to elicit examples of COVID-19 misinformation and determine keywords. Using NVivo (QSR International) and a combination of word frequency and text search using key informant interview keywords, subcorpus A (n=5881) was constituted and manually coded to identify misinformation. Constant comparative, iterative, and consensual analyses were used to further characterize these tweets. Tweets containing key informant interview keywords were extracted from the primary corpus and processed to constitute subcorpus B (n=4634), of which 506 tweets were manually labeled as misinformation. This training set was subjected to natural language processing to identify tweets with misinformation in the primary corpus. These tweets were further manually coded to confirm labeling. RESULTS: Biterm topic modeling of the primary corpus revealed the following topics: uncertainty, lawmaker's response, safety measures, testing, loved ones, health standards, panic buying, tragedies other than COVID-19, economy, COVID-19 statistics, precautions, health measures, international issues, adherence to guidelines, and frontliners. These were categorized into 4 major topics: nature of COVID-19, contexts and consequences, people and agents of COVID-19, and COVID-19 prevention and management. Manual coding of subcorpus A identified 398 tweets with misinformation in the following formats: misleading content (n=179), satire and/or parody (n=77), false connection (n=53), conspiracy (n=47), and false context (n=42). The discursive strategies identified were humor (n=109), fear mongering (n=67), anger and disgust (n=59), political commentary (n=59), performing credibility (n=45), overpositivity (n=32), and marketing (n=27). Natural language processing identified 165 tweets with misinformation. However, a manual review showed that 69.7% (115/165) of tweets did not contain misinformation. CONCLUSIONS: An interdisciplinary approach was used to identify tweets with COVID-19 misinformation. Natural language processing mislabeled tweets, likely due to tweets written in Filipino or a combination of the Filipino and English languages. Identifying the formats and discursive strategies of tweets with misinformation required iterative, manual, and emergent coding by human coders with experiential and cultural knowledge of Twitter. An interdisciplinary team composed of experts in health, health informatics, social science, and computer science combined computational and qualitative methods to gain a better understanding of COVID-19 misinformation on Twitter.

Global utilization of online information for substance use disorder: An infodemiological study of Google and Wikipedia from 2004 to 2022.

INTRODUCTION: The increasing number of people who use drugs (PWUDs) can be attributed to the rising online sales of drugs and other related substances. Information on drugs and drug markets has also become easily accessible in web-search engines and social media. Aside from providing direct care, nurses have essential roles in preventing substance use disorder. These roles include health education, liaison, and researcher. Thus, nurses must examine and utilize the Internet, where information and transactions related to these substances are increasing. DESIGN/METHODS: This study utilized an infodemiological design in exploring the worldwide information utilization for substance use disorder. Data were gathered from Google Trends and Wikimedia Pageview. The data included relative search volumes (RSV), top and rising related queries and topics, and Wikipedia page views between 2004 and 2022. After describing the data, autoregressive integrated mean averaging (ARIMA) models were used to predict future utilization of online information from Google and Wikipedia. RESULTS: Google trends ranked 37 countries based on the search volumes for substance use disorder. Ethiopia, Finland, the United States, Kenya, and Canada have the highest RSVs, while the lowest-ranked country is Turkey, followed by Mexico, Spain, Japan, and Indonesia. Google searches for substance use disorder-related information increased by more than 900% between 2004 and 2022. In addition, Wikipedia page views for substance use disorder-related information increased by almost 200% between 2015 and 2022. Based on the ARIMA models, RSVs and page views are predicted to increase by about 150% and 120% by December 2025. Top and rising search-related topics and queries revealed that the public increasingly utilized online information to understand specific substances and the possible mental health comorbidities related to substance use disorders. Their recent concerns revolved around diagnostics, specific substances, and specific disorders. CONCLUSION: The Internet can be of paradoxical use in substance use disorder. It has been previously reported to be increasingly used in drug trades, contributing to the increasing prevalence of substance use disorder. Likewise, the present study's findings revealed that it is increasingly utilized for substance use disorder-related information. Thus, nurses and other healthcare professionals should ensure that online information regarding substance use disorders is accurate and up-to-date. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Nurse informaticists can form and lead Internet- and social-media-based health teams that perform national infodemiological investigations to assess online information. In doing so, they can inform, expand, and contextualize ehealth substance use education and strengthen the accessibility and delivery of substance use healthcare. In addition, public health nurses can collaborate to engage patients and communities in identifying harmful substance use disorder information online and creating culturally-appropriate messages that will correct misinformation and improve ehealth literacy, specifically in substance use disorder.

Emerging From a Two-Year-Long Quarantine: A Retrospective Study on Life Satisfaction Trajectory and Depression Among Young LGBTQ+ Students in the Philippines

Background Evidence suggests that lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, and other gender and sexual minorities (LGBTQ+) may experience heightened mental health disparities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since long periods of confinement and physical restriction due to disease outbreaks can adversely affect mental health, there is a need to explore their effects among LGBTQ+ youth as society recovers from the pandemic. Aims This study determined the longitudinal association between depression and life satisfaction trajectory from the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 to pandemic-induced community quarantine in 2022 among young LGBTQ+ students. Methods This study surveyed 384 conveniently sampled youths (18–24 years old) who identify as LGBTQ+ from locales under two-year-long community quarantine in the Philippines. Respondents' life satisfaction trajectory was measured for 2020, 2021, and 2022. Post-quarantine depression was measured using the Short Warwick Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale. Results One out of four respondents has depression. Those from less than high-income households had a higher risk for depression. Repeated measures analysis of variance revealed that those with more pronounced improvements in life satisfaction throughout and after community quarantine among respondents have a lower risk of depression. Conclusion Life satisfaction trajectory can influence the risk for depression among young LGBTQ+ students during extended periods of crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, there is a need to improve their living conditions as society reemerges from the pandemic. Likewise, additional support should be given to LGBTQ+ students from lower-income households. Moreover, continuous monitoring of LGBTQ+ youths' life conditions and mental health post-quarantine is recommended.

Emerging From a Two-Year-Long Quarantine: A Retrospective Study on Life Satisfaction Trajectory and Depression Among Young LGBTQ+ Students in the Philippines.

Background: Evidence suggests that lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, and other gender and sexual minorities (LGBTQ+) may experience heightened mental health disparities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since long periods of confinement and physical restriction due to disease outbreaks can adversely affect mental health, there is a need to explore their effects among LGBTQ+ youth as society recovers from the pandemic. Aims: This study determined the longitudinal association between depression and life satisfaction trajectory from the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 to pandemic-induced community quarantine in 2022 among young LGBTQ+ students. Methods: This study surveyed 384 conveniently sampled youths (18-24 years old) who identify as LGBTQ+ from locales under two-year-long community quarantine in the Philippines. Respondents' life satisfaction trajectory was measured for 2020, 2021, and 2022. Post-quarantine depression was measured using the Short Warwick Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale. Results: One out of four respondents has depression. Those from less than high-income households had a higher risk for depression. Repeated measures analysis of variance revealed that those with more pronounced improvements in life satisfaction throughout and after community quarantine among respondents have a lower risk of depression. Conclusion: Life satisfaction trajectory can influence the risk for depression among young LGBTQ+ students during extended periods of crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, there is a need to improve their living conditions as society reemerges from the pandemic. Likewise, additional support should be given to LGBTQ+ students from lower-income households. Moreover, continuous monitoring of LGBTQ+ youths' life conditions and mental health post-quarantine is recommended.

More than a year into the pandemic: Do higher education students still practice protective behaviors against COVID-19?

BACKGROUND: The exponential increase of cases and the emergence of the new COVID-19 variants continue to be a challenge. It remains crucial to assess whether or not minimum health standards against COVID-19 are consistently followed. This study determined the higher education students' practice of protective measures against COVID-19 of more than a year into the pandemic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A questionnaire web survey, cross-sectional study was conducted among higher education students (n = 2309) of a public university in the Philippines. Data were analyzed using the SPSS software. RESULTS: Results indicated that students generally had a high practice of COVID-19 preventive measures. However, only 45.9% always practice physical distancing measures, and only 35.9% always seek information related to COVID-19 after more than a year into the pandemic. Female, married, graduate level, with a monthly family income of PHP 10,000 and above, and personal knowledge of someone who tested for COVID-19 had a significantly higher practice of COVID-19 protective measures. Older age, higher general self-reported health status, and higher intention to comply with recommended protective health behaviors were significantly correlated with higher practice of preventive measures against COVID-19. CONCLUSION: After more than a year of being into the pandemic, students still practice preventive health behaviors, however, this is not done consistently. As the pandemic is still not over in the country and many parts of the world, continuous monitoring and a reminder to practice minimum protective health protocols are needed to mitigate and prevent the spread of COVID-19.

COVID-19 community pantries as community health engagement: the case of Maginhawa community pantry in the Philippines

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated and surfaced long-standing inadequacies in the country's health and social systems. In response to the Philippine government's inefficient and ineffective COVID-19 response and their dismissal of the calls for accountability, Filipinos at the barangay level organized community pantries to respond to the needs of the community. Using WHO's Framework for Community Health Engagement, this study positions community pantries as a unique health phenomenon during the COVID-19 pandemic within the Philippine context. This study explores the ways that the Maginhawa Community Pantry-the critical case study-addresses both emergent and pre-existing health needs among Filipinos during the COVID-19 pandemic. By examining community pantries from the perspective of the Maginhawa Community Pantry organizer, this paper elucidates how community pantries engage in diverse initiatives that: (1) mobilize the community for health, (2) improve access to healthcare, (3) ensure community collaboration and (4) call for collective action for systemic issues. The findings of this paper highlight the capacity and potential of community pantries as a health response beyond the COVID-19 pandemic and address gaps in the Philippine healthcare system.

Emerging Adulthood Uses and Gratifications of Social Media During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Mixed Methods Study Among Filipino College Students

This exploratory mixed methods study examines how the emerging adulthood development tasks of autonomy, intimacy, and identity are reflected in the social media (SM) uses and gratifications during the COVID-19 pandemic. This research draws its analysis from qualitative and quantitative data from an online survey of 1003 Filipino college students aged 18–29. Convenient sampling was done via online recruitment on social media sites. Qualitative findings reveal subcategories characterizing how respondents use social media to meet three developmental needs of EA: (1) autonomy, by practicing informational control and performing adulthood-related tasks;(2) intimacy, by maintaining relationships with peers and family;and (3) identity, by engaging in educational experiences and in entertainment and self-expression. Quantitative strand results suggest that sex, household income, Instagram and Tiktok use, and the number of active SM sites are significantly associated with the use of SM for at least one emerging adulthood development task (p < 0.05).

Problematic versus reflective use: Types of social media use as determinants of mental health among young Filipino undergraduates.

Background: The link between problematic social media use (SMU) and mental health among youth has been established. However, there is insufficient information on how mental health is influenced by COVID-19 pandemic-related changes and positive aspects of SMU. This study aims to determine the relationship of pandemic-related changes in SMU, and two types of SMU (problematic and reflective use) with mental health among young Filipino undergraduates. Methods: A total of 1087 Filipino undergraduates aged 18 to 30 years old participated in this cross-sectional study. Data collection via online survey was conducted in August 2021. Results: Findings indicate the significant association between the perceived changes in SMU and mental health among respondents (P <0.001). In terms of type of use, results suggest that students who demonstrate lower problematic SMU (B=-0.608, P <0.001, 95% CI=-0.955 - -0.259) and higher reflective SMU (B=3.524, P <0.001, 95% CI=2.051- 4.895) had higher mental wellbeing. Moreover, poorer mental wellbeing was observed among females and LGBTQ+ respondents with poorer internet quality (P <0.05). Conclusion: Mental health among young Filipino undergraduates is influenced by pandemic-related changes and types of SMU. With the increasing necessity of social media amid the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health practitioners and advocates can increase their visibility online to promote reflective SMU as a protective factor against mental health decline.

Social media disorder during community quarantine: A mixed methods study among rural young college students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

PURPOSE: This study sought to identify determinants of social media disorder (SMD) and describe the social media engagement among rural young (18 to 24 years old) college students during long periods of community quarantine due to COVID-19. METHODS: This mixed methods study draws from a sample of 500 students from rural Luzon, Philippines. Quantitative and qualitative data collection were done via online survey. RESULTS: Findings reveal that 24.2 % of the respondents have SMD. Students who are from below middle-income households, and are active on Tiktok have greater odds for SMD. Qualitative analysis of narratives of students with SMD (n = 121) reveal the beneficial and negative impacts of social media. CONCLUSIONS: Results highlight how social position, and uses and gratifications of social media can facilitate development of SMD.

Predicting nursing students' intention to attend face-to-face classes on school reopening: A theory of planned behavior application.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in school closures and the reopening of schools is considered to be a possible approach to start reversing learning deficits. However, the literature is scarce on the determinants of intention to attend face-to-face classes among nursing students. METHOD: This cross-sectional study examined students' intention to attend limited face-to-face classes on school reopening, and its association among the core constructs of the Theory of Planned Behavior. Undergraduate nursing students of one university in the Philippines (n = 322) answered an online questionnaire. Predictor variables were determined by multiple linear regression analysis. RESULTS: Results demonstrated that nursing students had a high intention (4.47 of 5) to attend limited face-to-face classes. First- and second-year students had significantly higher intention to attend limited face-to-face classes than third- and fourth-year nursing students. Multiple regression analysis suggested that attitude (ß = .127, p = .001), subjective norm (ß = .400, p = .000), and perceived behavioral control (ß = .326, p = .000) positively predicted students' intention to attend face-to-face classes. CONCLUSION: As many schools prepare for the gradual reopening of campuses, the different beliefs of students may be considered by nursing schools to better understand students' intention for face-to-face instruction.

Demographic, Health and Pandemic-Related Determinants of COVID-19 Vaccination Intention Among Filipino Emerging Adults

Emerging adults have become more susceptible to COVID-19 because of the emergence of the Delta and Omicron variants. Vaccination can help protect them from contracting the virus. However, in the Philippines, vaccine acceptance rates are low. This cross-sectional study sought to determine the demographic, health, and pandemic-related determinants of COVID-19 vaccination intention among Filipino emerging adults. A total of 1692 Filipinos aged 18?24 years old participated in this study by answering an online survey. Findings reveal that 57.03% of the respondents do not intend to complete their COVID-19 vaccinations. Logistic regression analysis results suggest that less than ?very good? self-reported health, lower life satisfaction, previous exposure to a COVID-19 patient, and lower pandemic fatigue were associated with greater odds of intending to vaccinate among Filipino emerging adults (p < 0.05).

Self-Care Practices and Online Student Engagement during COVID-19 in the Philippines: A Mixed Methods Study

The COVID-19 pandemic and the transition of educational landscapes from traditional to online classes, have exposed students to an increased risk of mental health problems that can impact their educational engagement and learning outcomes. Self-care practices can help protect students from psychological challenges, and also improve student outcomes;however, the drastic societal changes brought about by quarantine and digital learning may cause disruptions in students' practice of self-care. The aim of this convergent mixed methods study is to determine the relationship between self-care practices and online student engagement, and describe the barriers in practising self-care among undergraduate students during the pandemic. An online survey was administered to a convenience sample of 202 students from De La Salle University, Philippines. Quantitative results suggest that specific domains of self-care practices are statistically linked with background characteristics and online student engagement. On the other hand, two themes describing the barriers to practising self-care emerged from the qualitative data: (1) quarantine-related barriers;and (2) online-class-related barriers.

COVID-19 Death Occurrences, Pandemic Fatigue, and Well-Being

Fifteen months since the pandemic started, the Philippines continues its struggle to control COVID-19 cases and deaths. This cross-sectional study, with 1,467 respondents, examined the predictive role of occurrences of COVID-19 related deaths within social circles to pandemic fatigue and selected well-being outcomes. Findings suggest that personally knowing someone who died from COVID-19 significantly increases pandemic fatigue, subjective well-being, and life satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Journal of Loss & Trauma is the property of Routledge and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Anxious, Apart, and Attentive: A Qualitative Case Study of Overseas Filipino Workers’ Families in the time of COVID-19

Cognizant of the nature and type of family as factors that affect the experience and coping of its members, this study sought to examine the impact of the pandemic on overseas Filipino workers? (OFW) families using a qualitative instrumental case study of four OFW families. Three themes emerged from the analysis: (1) worry over the conditions of the distant family members, (2) disruptions in plans and family relationships, and (3) monitoring and caring from a distance. From these findings, it could be reflected that despite the negative effects of the pandemic, OFW families can recreate patterns over time to retain their familial relations and routines and protect members from coronavirus and its consequences.

Demographic, gadget and internet profiles as determinants of disease and consequence related COVID-19 anxiety among Filipino college students.

In the context of the nationwide shift to online learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its possible effect on mental health, this study investigated the relationship between demographic, gadget and Internet profiles, and disease and consequence related COVID-19 anxiety among Filipino college students. This is a quantitative cross-sectional study. A total of 952 students participated in the online survey. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to draw insights from the data. Findings suggest that majority of the student respondents had high levels of disease and consequence related COVID-19 anxiety. Students from poorer households, who do not own laptops and desktop computers, and those with limited Internet connection exhibited higher levels of disease-related COVID-19 anxiety. Younger, poorer, female students who were enrolled in lower year levels, do not own laptops or tablets, and have limited or borrowed Internet connectivity demonstrated higher levels of consequence-related COVID-19 anxiety.