Proceedings of the International Seminar and Workshop Public Health (ISWHOPHA 2023)

Infodemics response during COVID-19 in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: A thematic analysis

Authors
Ramaiah Itullah1, *, Enny Rachmani2, Fahad Alshammari3, Vamsi Krishna4, Suleman Atique5
1The Apollo University, Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh, India
2Faculty of Health Science, Universitas Dian Nuswantoro, Semarang, Indonesia
3Department of Health Management, College of Public Health and Health Informatics, University of Ha’il, Ha’il, Saudi Arabia
4College of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Ha’il, Ha’il, Saudi Arabia
5Department of Public Health Sciences, Faculty of Landscape and Society, Norwegian University of Life Sciences Ås, Trondheim, Norway
*Corresponding author. Email: ramaiah_i@apollouniversity.edu.in
Corresponding Author
Ramaiah Itullah
Available Online 22 May 2024.
DOI
10.2991/978-94-6463-421-1_22How to use a DOI?
Keywords
COVID-19; Infodemics; Misinformation; Pandemic; Rumors; Saudi Arabia
Abstract
Background

Well-timed information and guidance are pivotal to successful management during health emergencies. Right information at the right time is essential to deal with such crises. In an epidemic, dealing with misinformation is as important as dealing with the pandemic itself.

Aims

To identify the major misinformation categories and loopholes that prevailed in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) during COVID-19.

Methods

The present study is a qualitative and based on thematic analysis. The secondary data such as related articles in newspapers and published works in different journals were consulted in conducting this research.

Results

The issues related to infodemiology in the KSA have been categorized into (a) COVID-19 and Health, (b) false nutritional information, (c) rumors about COVID-19 control measures and (d) travel restrictions or opening of the international flights.

Conclusion

Our findings suggested the public should remain alert to the infodemic phenomenon and should never spread misinformation, nor become a tool to spread misleading and unauthentic figures and guidance. The public needs to support the management authorities in controlling the misinformation in the pandemic situation and comply with the given guidelines.

Copyright
© 2024 The Author(s)
Open Access
Open Access This chapter is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits any noncommercial use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license and indicate if changes were made.

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Volume Title
Proceedings of the International Seminar and Workshop Public Health (ISWHOPHA 2023)
Series
Advances in Health Sciences Research
Publication Date
22 May 2024
ISBN
10.2991/978-94-6463-421-1_22
ISSN
2468-5739
DOI
10.2991/978-94-6463-421-1_22How to use a DOI?
Copyright
© 2024 The Author(s)
Open Access
Open Access This chapter is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits any noncommercial use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license and indicate if changes were made.

Cite this article

TY  - CONF
AU  - Ramaiah Itullah
AU  - Enny Rachmani
AU  - Fahad Alshammari
AU  - Vamsi Krishna
AU  - Suleman Atique
PY  - 2024
DA  - 2024/05/22
TI  - Infodemics response during COVID-19 in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: A thematic analysis
BT  - Proceedings of the International Seminar and Workshop Public Health (ISWHOPHA 2023)
PB  - Atlantis Press
SP  - 209
EP  - 217
SN  - 2468-5739
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2991/978-94-6463-421-1_22
DO  - 10.2991/978-94-6463-421-1_22
ID  - Itullah2024
ER  -