The Association between COVID-19 Media Literacy and the Fear of COVID-19 among Students During Coronavirus Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background and Objectives: The prevalence of the Covid-19 epidemic in Iran is associated with many psychological and social effects. This study aimed to examine the association between COVID-19 media literacy and the fear of COVID-19 among students during the coronavirus crisis. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional was conducted on 300 students of Hamadan Universities which were selected with a multistage sampling method. To collect the data, the COVID-19 media literacy scale (C-19MLS) and the fear of COVID-19 scale (FCV-19S) were used. Data were obtained using the SPSS software Version 23 and descriptive statistics, T-test, ANOVA, Chi-square, Pearson Correlation test, and regression analysis test were used. Results: As the study results, the mean score of the Fear of COVID-19 was 11.88 ± 4.34;also, the mean score of COVID-19 media literacy was 71.64 ± 11.36, respectively. The Fear of COVID-19 had a negative and significant correlation with the dimensions and total COVID-19 media literacy (P <0.001). Based on the simple linear regression analysis results, COVID-19 media literacy (β=-0.23) and usage of social media apps (β=0.58) were identified as predictors of the fear of COVID-19. Conclusion: The findings of this study showed that the COVID-19 media literacy was inadequate in participants. Also, COVID-19 media literacy was related to the Fear of COVID-19. Therefore, designing and implementing educational interventions to empower students in the field of media literacy related to COVID-19 and media consumption regime seems to be necessary to help reduce anxiety and stress and increase the immune system against COVID-19. © 2022, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved.

A Qualitative Study On People's Experiences Of Covid-19 Media Literacy

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak has been associated with many psychological and social effects, followed by a rise of fake news and false information about the condition. This study's main aim was to deeply understand people's experiences and precise opinions about social media information on COVID-19. This qualitative study was conducted to examine the COVID-19 social media literacy using the content analysis. Participants in the study were 20 people from Hamadan Province, Iran. Data were analyzed using the MAXQDA software version 2010. Considering the results for the volume of social media literature about COVID-19, 21 subcategories and five categories were obtained. The five categories included purpose with three subcategories such as,sales for economic gain", constructedness with five subcategories such as profiteering,advertising companies", audience with one subcategory such as,all people", format with five subcategories such as, highlighting the disease consequences", and lifestyles with seven subcategories such as, drinking alcohol". Familiarity with individuals' views based on culture and context for designing and planning educational literacy programs for media skills and competence in the new media age for distinguishing between fake and credible COVID-19 media messages and critically evaluating media content for all people is essentialespecially in the new media infodemic ecosystem. The themes obtained in the study can be used for designing educational interventions and appropriate assessment tools as well as promoting health media literacy in the field.