Infodemia in Peru after the first wave of COVID-19: characteristics and associated factors

ABSTRACT

One of the main causes of deterioration in mental health in the pandemic was the mishandling of information. The objective of this study was to evaluate the frequency of fear or perception of misinformation transmitted by the media and its influence on the mental health of the Peruvian population after the first wave. Analytical cross-sectional study. Which measured in almost 10,000 Peruvian inhabitants the perception of fear or exaggeration of the news with a previously validated instrument (global Cronbach's Alpha 0.92), but this was post-first wave. The main perceptions were shown and it was associated with sex, age and educational level. Television broadcast more fear (12% strongly agree and 27% agree) and exaggeration (13% strongly agree and 26% agree);followed by social media. Men had a higher fear score in general (Coefficient 1.83;95% CI 1.01-3.31;p value = 0.047);Furthermore, according to the level of education, compared to those who had up to primary school, those who had secondary school had a higher overall score (Coefficient 4.53;95% CI 1.93-10.64;p value = 0.001), of exaggeration (Coefficient 1.73;95% CI 1.31-2.28;p value < 0.001), of fear (Coefficient 1.73;95% CI 1.31-2.28;p value < 0.001) and communication by friends / health personnel (Coefficient 1.72;95% CI 1.29-2.30;p value < 0.001);adjusted for age and department of residence. In general, it was observed that those with only secondary education were more afraid and were influenced by relatives and acquaintances.