COVID-19-Related Web Search Behaviors and Infodemic Attitudes in Italy: Infodemiological Study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Since the beginning of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, fake news and misleading information have circulated worldwide, which can profoundly affect public health communication.

Objective

We investigated online search behavior related to the COVID-19 outbreak and the attitudes of "infodemic monikers" (ie, erroneous information that gives rise to interpretative mistakes, fake news, episodes of racism, etc) circulating in Italy.

Methods

By using Google Trends to explore the internet search activity related to COVID-19 from January to March 2020, article titles from the most read newspapers and government websites were mined to investigate the attitudes of infodemic monikers circulating across various regions and cities in Italy. Search volume

SUBMITTER: Rovetta A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7202310 | biostudies-literature | 2020 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature