ABSTRACT
Background and Aims: During the COVID-19 pandemic, college students can access health-related information on the Internet to improve preventative behaviors, but they often judge the merits of such information and create challenges in the community. The aim of this study was to investigate information-seeking behaviors in regard to COVID-19 among students at Kerman University of Medical Sciences (KUMS) with the help of mass and social media. Methods: The present study is a cross-sectional study, which was conducted using an online researcher-made questionnaire. An invitation to participate in the study was sent to 500 students at KUMS, of which 203 were selected according to the inclusion criteria and completed the questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. Results: COVID-19 news was mostly obtained through social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram, radio, and television, as well as online publications and news agencies. Social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram, and satellite networks such as BBC contained the most rumors about COVID-19. Some of the most common misconceptions regarding COVID-19 were as follows: "COVID-19 is the deadliest disease in the world," "COVID-19 is a biological attack," and "COVID-19 disappears as the air temperature rises." In addition, most of the virtual training provided through mass media focused on "refraining from visiting holy places and crowded locations such as markets," "observing personal hygiene and refraining from touching the eyes, nose, and mouth with infected hands," and "the role of quarantine in reducing the incidence of COVID-19." Conclusion: Our findings demonstrated that during the pandemic, students used social media platforms the most to obtain health-related information and these media have a significant impact on their willingness to engage in preventative behaviors and take the COVID-19 risk seriously.
ABSTRACT
Background and AimsDuring the COVID‐19 pandemic, college students can access health‐related information on the Internet to improve preventative behaviors, but they often judge the merits of such information and create challenges in the community. The aim of this study was to investigate information‐seeking behaviors in regard to COVID‐19 among students at Kerman University of Medical Sciences (KUMS) with the help of mass and social media.MethodsThe present study is a cross‐sectional study, which was conducted using an online researcher‐made questionnaire. An invitation to participate in the study was sent to 500 students at KUMS, of which 203 were selected according to the inclusion criteria and completed the questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data.ResultsCOVID‐19 news was mostly obtained through social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram, radio, and television, as well as online publications and news agencies. Social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram, and satellite networks such as BBC contained the most rumors about COVID‐19. Some of the most common misconceptions regarding COVID‐19 were as follows: “COVID‐19 is the deadliest disease in the world,” “COVID‐19 is a biological attack,” and “COVID‐19 disappears as the air temperature rises.” In addition, most of the virtual training provided through mass media focused on “refraining from visiting holy places and crowded locations such as markets,” “observing personal hygiene and refraining from touching the eyes, nose, and mouth with infected hands,” and “the role of quarantine in reducing the incidence of COVID‐19.”ConclusionOur findings demonstrated that during the pandemic, students used social media platforms the most to obtain health‐related information and these media have a significant impact on their willingness to engage in preventative behaviors and take the COVID‐19 risk seriously.
ABSTRACT
Preeclampsia is one of the most common complications of pregnancy that is very difficult to control and manage during the outbreak of COVID-19. One way to control and manage this disease is to use self-care applications. Therefore, the aim of this study was to design and develop a mobile-based application to facilitate self-care for women, who suffer from pregnancy poisoning in the COVID-19 pandemic. This study was conducted in two stages: In the first stage, according to the opinion of 20 obstetricians and pregnant women, a needs assessment was performed. In the second stage, based on the identified needs, the application prototype was designed and then evaluated. For evaluation, 20 pregnant women were asked to use the application for 10 days. QUIS questionnaire version 5.5 was used for evaluation. Descriptive statistics and mann-whitney test in SPSS software version 23 were used for data analysis. Out of the 66 information needs that were identified via the questionnaire, 58 were considered in designing the application. Features of the designed application were placed in 5 categories: User's profile, lifestyle, disease prevention and control, application capabilities and user's satisfaction. The capabilities of the application consist of introducing specialized COVID-19 medical centers, search for the location of medical centers and doctors' offices, drug management, drug allergies, self-assessment, stress reduction and control, nutrition and diet management, sleep management, doctor's appointment reminders, communication with other patients and physicians, application settings. Pregnant women rated the usability of the application at a good level. The designed application can reduce the anxiety and stress due to preeclampsia feel and also improve their knowledge as well as attitude towards the COVID-19 pandemic and preeclampsia.