Reflections on health information sources in epidemics in synchrony with the COVID-19 pandemic: A scoping review

This study aims to scrutinize prevalent sources of health information utilized by individuals for informed decision-making regarding protective and preventive health behaviors amidst an infectious epidemic. The acquisition of comprehensible and reliable information relevant to individual needs is de...

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Main Authors: Masoomeh Imanipour, Mehraban Shahmari, Saeideh Azizi Mahkooyeh, Akram Ghobadi, Pouyan Sanjari
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Journal of Nursing Advances in Clinical Sciences 2024-02-01
Series:Journal of Nursing Advances in Clinical Sciences
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Online Access:https://www.jnacs.com/article_191000_cb721f9432b494b7b4131b6fd2b484ce.pdf
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author Masoomeh Imanipour
Mehraban Shahmari
Saeideh Azizi Mahkooyeh
Akram Ghobadi
Pouyan Sanjari
author_facet Masoomeh Imanipour
Mehraban Shahmari
Saeideh Azizi Mahkooyeh
Akram Ghobadi
Pouyan Sanjari
author_sort Masoomeh Imanipour
collection DOAJ
description This study aims to scrutinize prevalent sources of health information utilized by individuals for informed decision-making regarding protective and preventive health behaviors amidst an infectious epidemic. The acquisition of comprehensible and reliable information relevant to individual needs is deemed imperative in this context. This scoping review encompasses investigations into the sources of information employed during infectious epidemics, conducted in both Persian and English languages, spanning the timeframe from 2003 to 2019. The search for pertinent studies was executed across diverse databases, including PubMed, Embase, ProQuest, the Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, and Scientific Information Database. This review incorporated a total of 13 relevant studies. Findings indicate that traditional media, comprising television, radio, and newspapers, emerged as the predominant information sources during epidemics. Conversely, government resources and official government websites were identified as the least utilized channels. Additionally, the most reliable sources were identified as television, newspapers, and healthcare personnel. Given the historical prevalence of traditional media as a primary information source during past infectious epidemics, health officials and policymakers must consider enhancing public education through these channels during epidemic dissemination. However, due attention should also be directed towards the provision of pertinent and credible content on online social media platforms, particularly catering to the informational needs of young adults and the emerging generation. The identified limitations in the extant studies, namely their contextual dependence on sociocultural factors, the trajectory of lifestyle modifications, technological advancements, and the recent advent of the COVID-19 pandemic underscore the necessity for additional and comprehensive investigations in this domain.
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spelling doaj-art-ffb7d29e5c2c4da8b41013fed6e84b5c2025-08-20T03:53:39ZengJournal of Nursing Advances in Clinical SciencesJournal of Nursing Advances in Clinical Sciences3041-93362024-02-011Issue 1435010.32598/JNACS.2401.1005191000Reflections on health information sources in epidemics in synchrony with the COVID-19 pandemic: A scoping reviewMasoomeh Imanipour0Mehraban Shahmari1Saeideh Azizi Mahkooyeh2Akram Ghobadi3Pouyan Sanjari4Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IranDepartment of Medical-Surgical Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, IranDepartment of Medical-Surgical Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IranSchool of Nursing and Midwifery, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, IranVytal Medical and Surgical Center, Medical & Surgical in Tarzana CA, California, United StatesThis study aims to scrutinize prevalent sources of health information utilized by individuals for informed decision-making regarding protective and preventive health behaviors amidst an infectious epidemic. The acquisition of comprehensible and reliable information relevant to individual needs is deemed imperative in this context. This scoping review encompasses investigations into the sources of information employed during infectious epidemics, conducted in both Persian and English languages, spanning the timeframe from 2003 to 2019. The search for pertinent studies was executed across diverse databases, including PubMed, Embase, ProQuest, the Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, and Scientific Information Database. This review incorporated a total of 13 relevant studies. Findings indicate that traditional media, comprising television, radio, and newspapers, emerged as the predominant information sources during epidemics. Conversely, government resources and official government websites were identified as the least utilized channels. Additionally, the most reliable sources were identified as television, newspapers, and healthcare personnel. Given the historical prevalence of traditional media as a primary information source during past infectious epidemics, health officials and policymakers must consider enhancing public education through these channels during epidemic dissemination. However, due attention should also be directed towards the provision of pertinent and credible content on online social media platforms, particularly catering to the informational needs of young adults and the emerging generation. The identified limitations in the extant studies, namely their contextual dependence on sociocultural factors, the trajectory of lifestyle modifications, technological advancements, and the recent advent of the COVID-19 pandemic underscore the necessity for additional and comprehensive investigations in this domain.https://www.jnacs.com/article_191000_cb721f9432b494b7b4131b6fd2b484ce.pdfepidemiccovid-19health informationnursingnurses
spellingShingle Masoomeh Imanipour
Mehraban Shahmari
Saeideh Azizi Mahkooyeh
Akram Ghobadi
Pouyan Sanjari
Reflections on health information sources in epidemics in synchrony with the COVID-19 pandemic: A scoping review
Journal of Nursing Advances in Clinical Sciences
epidemic
covid-19
health information
nursing
nurses
title Reflections on health information sources in epidemics in synchrony with the COVID-19 pandemic: A scoping review
title_full Reflections on health information sources in epidemics in synchrony with the COVID-19 pandemic: A scoping review
title_fullStr Reflections on health information sources in epidemics in synchrony with the COVID-19 pandemic: A scoping review
title_full_unstemmed Reflections on health information sources in epidemics in synchrony with the COVID-19 pandemic: A scoping review
title_short Reflections on health information sources in epidemics in synchrony with the COVID-19 pandemic: A scoping review
title_sort reflections on health information sources in epidemics in synchrony with the covid 19 pandemic a scoping review
topic epidemic
covid-19
health information
nursing
nurses
url https://www.jnacs.com/article_191000_cb721f9432b494b7b4131b6fd2b484ce.pdf
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