Evidence map›Paper›PMID 34952634›Full record

ArticleBMC research notes2021

The geography of COVID-19 misinformation: using geospatial maps for targeted messaging to combat misinformation on COVID-19, South Africa.

Lucy Chimoyi, Tonderai Mabuto, Tanyaradzwa Dube, Nasiphi Ntombela, Tshegang Nchachi, Dakalo Tshisebe, Candice M Chetty-Makkan, Geoffrey K Setswe

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC research notes, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Lucy ChimoyiThe Aurum Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa. lchimoyi@auruminstitute.org.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0083-8319
Tonderai MabutoThe Aurum Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Tanyaradzwa DubeThe Aurum Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Nasiphi NtombelaThe Aurum Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Tshegang NchachiThe Aurum Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Dakalo TshisebeThe Aurum Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Candice M Chetty-MakkanThe Aurum Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Geoffrey K SetsweThe Aurum Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveThe proliferation of false information on COVID-19 mostly through social media is adversely affecting control efforts. The objective of this study was to identify areas where targeted effective messaging can be useful in demystifying misinformation against COVID-19.

resultsThe study showed high levels of misinformation on COVID-19 in the study area [mean score 2.71; standard deviation (SD) 1.5]. The highest levels of misinformation were observed in Dr. Ruth Segomotsi Mompati district, North West province (mean score: 3.84; SD: 2.1) and Sedibeng district, Gauteng province (mean score: 3.56; SD 1.7). Higher levels of misinformation were reported by those aged 18-24 years (mean score: 3.48; SD: 1.8), and men (mean score: 2.73; SD: 1.8). Across the two provinces, we identified geospatial hot and coldspots of misinformation highlighting the need to implement point of care strategies such as targeted messaging. Findings showed the need for targeted interventions to young people, students, those with low levels of education and the self-employed in the two districts more importantly, as South Africa expands its nationwide vaccination roll-out.

Indexed as

COVID-19AdolescentCommunicationGeographyHumansMaleSARS-CoV-2South AfricaCOVID-19GeospatialMisinformationSouth AfricaTargeted interventions

Identifiers

PMID34952634
PMCPMC8708513

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.