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Media exposure to COVID-19 information, risk perception, social and geographical proximity, and self-rated anxiety in China.
Liu, Miao; Zhang, Hongzhong; Huang, Hui.
  • Liu M; College of Journalism and Communication, Beijing Normal University, Xinwai Dajie 5 Hao, Haidian District, Beijing, China.
  • Zhang H; College of Journalism and Communication, Beijing Normal University, Xinwai Dajie 5 Hao, Haidian District, Beijing, China. Hongzhongzhang123@gmail.com.
  • Huang H; College of Journalism and Communication, Beijing Normal University, Xinwai Dajie 5 Hao, Haidian District, Beijing, China.
BMC Public Health ; 20(1): 1649, 2020 Nov 04.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-909100
ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an emerging infectious disease that spreads around the world. The lack of effective antiviral drugs and vaccines, along with the relatively high mortality rate and high contagiousness, has raised strong public concerns over COVID-19, especially for people living in the most severely affected areas. This study aimed to clarify the influencing factors for the anxiety level among the Chinese people during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a particular focus on the media exposure to different COVID-19 information.

METHODS:

A total of 4991 respondents were randomly recruited from a national online panel from February 12th, 2020 to February 14th, 2020, a period when the number of COVID-19 cases surpassed 10,000 in a single day, with the total cases in China reaching up to 90,000. The relationships between media exposure of COVID-19 information, social and geographical proximity to COVID-19, risk perceptions were assessed using hierarchical ordinary least squares regression analysis.

RESULTS:

The media exposure to COVID-19 information was differently associated with anxiety. Meanwhile, the anxiety level was found to be high in respondents who personally knew someone infected with COVID-19 or those who living in an area with reported cases. Respondents who perceived more risks also reported a higher level of anxiety.

CONCLUSIONS:

This study highlights the role of media exposure in affecting individuals' anxiety level during the COVID-19 pandemic. Besides, it is recommended that government and health professionals are recommended to adopt effective risk communication strategies to protect citizens' mental health during the pandemic.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Anxiety / Pneumonia, Viral / Coronavirus Infections / Consumer Health Information / Pandemics / Mass Media Type of study: Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study / Randomized controlled trials Topics: Vaccines Limits: Adolescent / Adult / Female / Humans / Male / Middle aged / Young adult Country/Region as subject: Asia Language: English Journal: BMC Public Health Journal subject: Public Health Year: 2020 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: S12889-020-09761-8

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Anxiety / Pneumonia, Viral / Coronavirus Infections / Consumer Health Information / Pandemics / Mass Media Type of study: Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study / Randomized controlled trials Topics: Vaccines Limits: Adolescent / Adult / Female / Humans / Male / Middle aged / Young adult Country/Region as subject: Asia Language: English Journal: BMC Public Health Journal subject: Public Health Year: 2020 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: S12889-020-09761-8