Influence of Electronic Media on the spread of Information and Development of Opinion Related to Covid-19 among the Medical Students of Islamabad

Abstract

Background: The objectives of this study were to assess the role played by and the impact of electronic media in the formation of viewpoints for COVID-19 among medical students of Foundation University, Islamabad.

Methods: After obtaining ethical approval, we conducted a cross-sectional study using non-probability consecutive sampling over a period of 06 weeks. A 28 closed-ended item questionnaire was used to collect data from students of first to final year MBBS. Data was analysed using SPSS version 20.

Results: Out of 232 respondents, 26.3% were male and 73.3% were female. Nearly all (99.6%) had access to electronic media, and the majority (93.5%) received information and updates about COVID-19 through it. Most students (91.8%) felt that it is the right tool to spread awareness regarding COVID-19, and 90.5% felt it could help slow the spread of disease by promoting healthy behavioural practices. Most (80.2%) concurred that electronic media has a more beneficial than harmful influence on its users during the pandemic. However, 70.3% of students felt that unverified and exaggerated news resulted in fear, panic and stress. More female students believed that electronic media promoted panic buying (85.9%, p = 0.03), leads to mental health problems (84.8%, p = 0.014), hence requires regulation (93.5%, p = 0.03) compared to male students.

Conclusion:   Electronic media played an important role in the spread of information regarding COVID-19. However, regulation of the integrity and volume of information is required to prevent panic, stress and fear.