An International Systematic Review Concerning the Effect of Social Media Exposure on Public Compliance with Infection Prevention and Control Measures During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Content Provider	Europe PMC
Author	Wall, Rachel Evers, Jean Haydock, Deborah
Copyright Year	2023
Description	Background Effective health communication is crucial for achieving positive population health outcomes. This is important for infection prevention and control (IPC), which relies on widespread public compliance to be effective. Whilst social media (SM) platforms disseminate health information, there is conflicting evidence to suggest their influence on compliance with public health guidelines. Objective To appraise the available evidence and determine the extent to which social media exposure contributes to public compliance with IPC measures. Methods A systematic protocol based on the MOOSE and PRISMA guidelines was followed. Observational studies were identified through systematic searches of four electronic databases and a hand search. Following data extraction, eligible studies were quality assessed, and the findings were integrated using narrative synthesis. Findings 15 studies were included. The studies located presented heterogeneous designs and findings. A weak positive association was identified, with 60% of the studies observing a positive association between social media and compliance with IPC measures. 26.7% identified a negative correlation, and 13.3% identified no correlation. Several factors were identified to mediate the relationship, including knowledge and conspiracy beliefs. Discussion This systematic review identified a weak positive correlation between exposure to social media and public compliance with recommended IPC measures, suggesting that social media should be utilised in future IPC related communication strategies. Social media provides a cost-effective, publicly accessible platform to disseminate accurate information, and neutralise misinformation. Recommendations are made for further research to reduce the uncertainty created by the identification of heterogenous studies.
Abstract	Background Effective health communication is crucial for achieving positive population healthoutcomes. This is important for infection prevention and control (IPC), which relies onwidespread public compliance to be effective. Whilst social media (SM) platformsdisseminate health information, there is conflicting evidence to suggest their influenceon compliance with public health guidelines. Objective To appraise the available evidence and determine the extent to which social mediaexposure contributes to public compliance with IPC measures. Methods A systematic protocol based on the MOOSE and PRISMA guidelines was followed.Observational studies were identified through systematic searches of four electronicdatabases and a hand search. Following data extraction, eligible studies were qualityassessed, and the findings were integrated using narrative synthesis. Findings 15 studies were included. The studies located presented heterogeneous designs andfindings. A weak positive association was identified, with 60% of the studies observinga positive association between social media and compliance with IPC measures. 26.7%identified a negative correlation, and 13.3% identified no correlation. Several factorswere identified to mediate the relationship, including knowledge and conspiracybeliefs. Discussion This systematic review identified a weak positive correlation between exposure tosocial media and public compliance with recommended IPC measures, suggesting that socialmedia should be utilised in future IPC related communication strategies. Social mediaprovides a cost-effective, publicly accessible platform to disseminate accurateinformation, and neutralise misinformation. Recommendations are made for furtherresearch to reduce the uncertainty created by the identification of heterogenousstudies.
Related Links	https://europepmc.org/backend/ptpmcrender.fcgi?accid=PMC9950031&blobtype=pdf
ISSN	17571774
Volume Number	24
DOI	10.1177/17571774231159574
PubMed Central reference number	PMC9950031
Issue Number	3
PubMed reference number	37051306
Journal	Journal of Infection Prevention [J Infect Prev]
e-ISSN	17571782
Language	English
Publisher	SAGE Publications
Publisher Date	2023-02-22
Publisher Place	Sage UK: London, England
Access Restriction	Open
Rights License	This article is made available via the PMC Open Access Subset for unrestricted re-use and analyses in any form or by any means with acknowledgement of the original source. These permissions are granted for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic or until permissions are revoked in writing. Upon expiration of these permissions, PMC is granted a perpetual license to make this article available via PMC and Europe PMC, consistent with existing copyright protections. © The Author(s) 2023
Subject Keyword	Social media health communication infection prevention and control compliance adherence COVID-19
Content Type	Text
Resource Type	Article
Subject	Infectious Diseases Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health Advanced and Specialized Nursing Health Policy