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COVID-19 Misinformation in Portuguese-Speaking Countries: Agreement with Content and Associated Factors

Author

Listed:
  • Álvaro Francisco Lopes de Sousa

    (Global Health and Tropical Medicine (GHTM), Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 1349-008 Lisbon, Portugal
    Human Exposome and Infectious Diseases Network (HEID), Ribeirão Preto College of Nursing, University of São Paulo, Ribeirao Preto 14040-902, Brazil)

  • Guilherme Schneider

    (Human Exposome and Infectious Diseases Network (HEID), Ribeirão Preto College of Nursing, University of São Paulo, Ribeirao Preto 14040-902, Brazil)

  • Herica Emilia Félix de Carvalho

    (Human Exposome and Infectious Diseases Network (HEID), Ribeirão Preto College of Nursing, University of São Paulo, Ribeirao Preto 14040-902, Brazil)

  • Layze Braz de Oliveira

    (Human Exposome and Infectious Diseases Network (HEID), Ribeirão Preto College of Nursing, University of São Paulo, Ribeirao Preto 14040-902, Brazil)

  • Shirley Verônica Melo Almeida Lima

    (Center for Research in Collective Health, Federal University of Sergipe, Sao Cristovao 49100-000, Brazil)

  • Anderson Reis de Sousa

    (College of Nursing, Federal University of Bahia (UFBA), Salvador 40110-909, Brazil)

  • Telma Maria Evangelista de Araújo

    (Nursing Department, Federal University of Piauí, Teresina 64049-550, Brazil)

  • Emerson Lucas Silva Camargo

    (Human Exposome and Infectious Diseases Network (HEID), Ribeirão Preto College of Nursing, University of São Paulo, Ribeirao Preto 14040-902, Brazil)

  • Mônica Oliveira Batista Oriá

    (Nursing Department, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza 60020-181, Brazil)

  • Carmen Viana Ramos

    (Nursing Department, Centro Universitário UNINOVAFAPI/AFYA, Teresina 64073-505, Brazil)

  • Rodrigo Mota de Oliveira

    (Human Exposome and Infectious Diseases Network (HEID), Ribeirão Preto College of Nursing, University of São Paulo, Ribeirao Preto 14040-902, Brazil)

  • Camila Aparecida Pinheiro Landim Almeida

    (Institute of Health Sciences, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, 4099-002 Porto, Portugal)

  • Andrêa Jacqueline Fortes Ferreira

    (Data and Knowledge Integration Center for Health—CIDACS (Fiocruz-Bahia), Salvador 41745-715, Brazil)

  • Jules Ramon Brito Teixeira

    (Epidemiology Center, Feira de Santana State University, Feira de Santana 44036-900, Brazil)

  • Iracema Lua

    (Institute of Collective Health, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador 40170-110, Brazil)

  • Fernanda de Oliveira Souza

    (Health, Education and Work Department, Federal University of Recôncavo da Bahia, Santo Antonio de Jesus 44380-000, Brazil)

  • Tânia Maria de Araújo

    (Epidemiology Center, Feira de Santana State University, Feira de Santana 44036-900, Brazil)

  • Inês Fronteira

    (Global Health and Tropical Medicine (GHTM), Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 1349-008 Lisbon, Portugal)

  • Isabel Amélia Costa Mendes

    (Human Exposome and Infectious Diseases Network (HEID), Ribeirão Preto College of Nursing, University of São Paulo, Ribeirao Preto 14040-902, Brazil)

Abstract

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, a complex phenomenon called the “infodemic” has emerged, compromising coping with the pandemic. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of agreement with misinformation about COVID-19 and to identify associated factors. A web survey was carried out in Portuguese-speaking countries in two stages: 1. the identification of misinformation circulating in the included countries; 2. a multicentric online survey with residents of the included countries. The outcome of the study was agreement or disagreement with misinformation about COVID-19. Multivariate analyzes were conducted using the Poisson regression model with robust variance, a logarithmic link function, and 95% confidence intervals. The prevalence of agreement with misinformation about COVID-19 was 63.9%. The following factors increased the prevalence of this outcome: having a religious affiliation (aPR: 1.454, 95% CI: 1.393–1.517), having restrictions on leisure (aPR: 1.230, 95% CI: 1.127–1.342), practicing social isolation (aPR: 1.073, 95% CI: 1.030–1.118), not avoiding agglomeration (aPR: 1.060, 95% CI: 1.005–1.117), not seeking/receiving news from scientific sources (aPR: 1.153, 95% CI: 1.068–1.245), seeking/receiving news from three or more non-scientific sources (aPR: 1.114, 95% CI: 1.049–1.182), and giving credibility to news carried by people from social networks (aPR: 1.175, 95% CI: 1.104–1.251). There was a high prevalence of agreement with misinformation about COVID-19. The quality, similarity, uniformity, and acceptance of the contents indicate a concentration of themes that reflect “homemade”, simple, and easy methods to avoid infection by SARS-CoV-2, compromising decision-making and ability to cope with the disease.

Suggested Citation

  • Álvaro Francisco Lopes de Sousa & Guilherme Schneider & Herica Emilia Félix de Carvalho & Layze Braz de Oliveira & Shirley Verônica Melo Almeida Lima & Anderson Reis de Sousa & Telma Maria Evangelista, 2021. "COVID-19 Misinformation in Portuguese-Speaking Countries: Agreement with Content and Associated Factors," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-12, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2021:i:1:p:235-:d:711729
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