ACCESS TO INFORMATION ABOUT COVID-19 THROUGH SOCIAL NETWORKS IN HEALTH SCIENCES STUDENTS IN LIMA

ABSTRACT

The present study seeks to determine the characteristics of the information about COVID-19 obtained through social networks in health sciences students in Lima. A sample of 384 health sciences students using social networks during the pandemic stage was taken and the survey technique was used to obtain relevant information. The results reveal that the most used social network for searching, and consulting information related to the pandemic were WhatsApp and Facebook. The presence fakenews about COVID-19 was observed 4 out of 5 times and more than half were about medicines for the treatment of the disease. Among the most important sources of information was the COVID Situational Room of the Peruvian government. Publications in research journals were found to be the main source of scientific information. It was perceived that the Peruvian Ministry of Health was the institution with the greatest presence in social networks and that the Peruvian Government and other public agencies were the main sources for sharing information on COVID-19 in social networks.